Scene 5

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Summary of Act 1, Scene 5

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 1, Scene 5:

In Scene 5, the Capulet servants are organising the food and other things for the party. Lord Capulet makes his rounds through (goes from one to another) groups of guests, joking with them and encouraging all to dance.

From across the room, Romeo sees Juliet and is transfixed (can’t move because of his interest in her). Rosaline vanishes from his mind and he says that he has never been in love until this moment.

Tybalt hears and recognises Romeo’s voice. Realising that there is 'a Montague present', Tybalt sends a servant to fetch his sword.
- This highlights Tybalt’s aggression and his hatred of the Montagues (he does not know who is speaking; he just hears 'a' Montague and immediately wants to kill him).
Capulet overhears Tybalt and tells him not to harm Romeo at the feast because he is well-liked in Verona. Tybalt agrees but vows that he will get his revenge on Romeo.

Romeo approaches Juliet and touches her hand.
He tries to get her to kiss him by telling her that her kiss is the only thing that will release him from sin.
Juliet agrees to stay still as Romeo kisses her. Juliet then says that if she has taken Romeo’s sin from him, his sin must now be in her lips. She says they must kiss again.
Just as their second kiss ends, the Nurse arrives. She tells Juliet that her mother wants to speak with her.
Romeo asks the Nurse who Juliet’s mother is. The Nurse replies that Lady Capulet is her mother. Romeo is devastated.

Benvolio shows up and leads Romeo from the feast.
The Nurse goes off and returns with the news that the man’s name is Romeo, and that he is a Montague.
Juliet is also devastated by the news.

Here are key quotes from Romeo, Tybalt and Juliet in Act 1, Scene 5:

'Did my heart love till now?'
- As soon as Romeo sees Juliet, his attitude and feelings change. He immediately forgets Rosaline and recognises that what he felt for her was not love.
- This speech pinpoints the moment that Romeo sees Juliet and experiences love at first sight.

'This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave come hither.'
- Tybalt hears 'a Montague' voice at the party and instantly orders a servant to fetch his sword. This emphasises his aggressive nature.
- He doesn’t know that this is Romeo just yet, but recognises a Montague voice and wants to murder him.
- Tybalt also uses the noun 'slave' to describe the man. This suggests that he sees the Montague family as a lower class to his own family and that they are not worthy of being in his presence.

'My only love sprung from my only hate!'
- After finding out that the man she has fallen in love with is a Montague, Juliet is devastated.
- She uses the oxymoron (opposite ideas) of 'love' and 'hate' to emphasise the hatred between the two families. She knows it will act as a barrier to her future happiness.