Act 1 scene 5 is set at the Capulet's House on the night of the Capulet family ball. It is an important scene in the play because it is the first time when Romeo and Juliet meet and realise their love for one another.
             In the play leading up to this scene we find out that the play is set in Verona and about the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. We learn of Romeo's love for Rosaline and his melancholy mood after she rejects his advances.
             Romeo's cousin, Benvolio tries to take Romeo's mind off Rosaline and suggests finding a new woman. When an illiterate Capulet Servant comes and needs help to read an invitation to the Capulet Ball it becomes apparent to Benvolio that this will be the perfect chance for Romeo to find someone new.
             (Benvolio Act I, Scene II "Go thither and with unattainted eye compare her face with some that I shall show and I will make thee think thy swan a crow" (referring to Rosaline)).
             We also learn that Juliet has been requested by Paris to be his wife and they have plans to meet at the Capulet Ball. This shows Shakespeare's intentions that the play be about fate, how Romeo just happened to come across an illiterate servant delivering the invites and how it was that party that Paris decides to introduce himself to Juliet.
             The scene starts with servants and the hosts preparing the house for the Capulet ball. Everything is rushed and the speech is kept to a minimum. After this part in the scene the guests start to arrive and Lord Capulet makes his opening speech to the guests:
             "Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes
             Unplagued with corns will have a bout with you.
             Ah ha, my mistresses! Which of you all
             Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
             She, I'll swear, hath corns; am I come near ye now?
             This speech asks all the ladies and gentlemen present to get up and dance with their ladies and if the ladies do not dance the...