Thursday, November 14, 2013

Why is there a party in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Act 1, Scene 5?

Lord Capulet throws a party for his friends and family.


I guess you could say that in those days people threw parties all of the time. (We still do.)  It was something to do.  You did not need a reason.  If you were the head of your family and important to the village, you were expected to throw parties.


It was particularly a thing for a man with an unmarried daughter to do, to show...

Lord Capulet throws a party for his friends and family.


I guess you could say that in those days people threw parties all of the time. (We still do.)  It was something to do.  You did not need a reason.  If you were the head of your family and important to the village, you were expected to throw parties.


It was particularly a thing for a man with an unmarried daughter to do, to show off the young worthy daughter.  In fact, Capulet brings up the party and invites Paris to the party right after discussing whether or not Juliet is of marriageable age. 



This night I hold an old accustom'd feast,
Whereto I have invited many a guest,
Such as I love; and you, among the store,
One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
At my poor house look to behold this night
Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light … (Act 1, Scene 2)



Most of the Capulets seem to be invited to the ball. Juliet is there, of course, and so is Tybalt.  The girl Romeo has been wooing, Rosaline, is also there.  It is a Capulet ball.  Of course, as we know, Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo end up crashing the party, and that is where Romeo sees Juliet. 


Could he have seen Juliet somewhere else?  Possibly.  However, there is something enchanting about a party.  She was all decked out in her party best.  It was a fateful party indeed.

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