How does Shakespeare present love and hate in Act 1 scene 1 and Act 1 scene 5?

Essay by gallHigh School, 10th grade March 2004

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How does Shakespeare

present love and hate in

Act 1 scene 1 and Act 1 scene 5?

Shakespeare wrote the play of two lovers', Romeo and Juliet. Thought to be, one of the greatest, tragic love stories of all time, however, throughout the play, Shakespeare contrasts love with hate at every possible moment. The two themes, love and hate, are like twins separated at birth, brought up in different backgrounds, a totally different society. Combining these two themes, creates curiosity into how 'a pair of star crossed lovers' and an ancient feud of two rivalry family's, can come to together to present, a great and unforgettable love, with fate bringing them to their death.

At the beginning of each act, there is a chorus. This device, is used to inform the audience of the events to follow in the next act, it is written in the sonnet form, which was popular at the time the play was written.

Writing in this form, creates suspense and leaves the audience anxious to see the next act. At the beginning of act 1 the prologue reads, "from forth the fatal loins of these 2 foes. A pair of star crossed lovers take their life" here we have love and hate side by side from the beginning. It tells the audience that, regardless of the hate of the two families, a pair of young lovers will do whatever it takes to be together.

The prologue is very formal and solemn, it is written like this to create tension. So when the play begins, two servants, from the house of Capulet enter, they talk about fighting and raping the Montague's, "I will push Montague's heads from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall". So straight away the audience immediately sees hatred being...