How does Shakespeare make Act 3 Scene i into an exciting and dramatic part of the play? (romeo + Juliet)

This fight results in Mercutio being stabbed. The first thing he says after he has informed them that he is 'hurt' is 'a plague on both your houses'. He is cursing the Montagues and Capulets for the arguments between them that have caused his death. The audience may regard this statement as odd because Mercutio was the one who insisted on remaining there and standing in to protect Romeo. Mercutio is angry and we see from him that passion that he always seems to possess. Even though this is a serious situation Mercutio still puns 'ask me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man'. He realises the affects of this wound. He refers to his injury as 'a scratch' because it was caused by Tybalt, the 'King of Cats'. So it is a sort of black humour similar to Mercutio's inappropriate bawdy behaviour in past scenes. This tense atmosphere and wry humour add to the audience's anticipation.

This is an exciting area of the scene. We are worried that Mercutio will not survive and feel a rage towards Tybalt. Mercutio believes he his going to die and is very direct about it. He says 'tis enough' meaning enough to kill him, he is still comical although he is very angry. He curses the families again. He seems to blame his death and injury on Romeo, 'Why the devil did you come between us? I was hurt under your arm', he is telling Romeo that if he had have left them to it then maybe it wouldn't have resulted in his death.

Mercutio calls for Benvolio to take him away. He curses the families again for the third and final time. He tells them how 'they have made worms meat' of him. He is still punning even though he is irate and dying. His puns however now have a more serious and deeper meaning than his bawdy comments before this scene. This is a solemn distressing part of the scene that keeps the audience engaged in the story and the characters.

Shortly after Mercutio has been taken away Benvolio comes back and reports his death.

Shakespeare also uses Tybalt's fiery character to develop the atmosphere in this scene. Tybalt greeted Mercutio politely 'Gentlemen good den'. He didn't show any signs of anger or intention of conflict. This may come as a surprise to the audience as they know Tybalt to be fiery and hot headed character. So the audience may see this greeting as sarcastic. However when Mercutio provokes Tybalt and twists his words, Tybalt's reaction is not to fight 'You shall find me apt enough to that sir and you will give me occasion'. He won't fight with Mercutio unless he gives him reason to. This is odd behaviour for Tybalt who usually jumps at any chance to fight. This leaves the audience slightly confused about his response.

Then he asks about Romeo 'Mercutio thou consortest with Romeo.' This reminds the audience of the challenge that Tybalt has left for Romeo. When Romeo enters Tybalt dismisses Mercutio 'peace be with you sir here comes my man'. This is polite, it appears Tybalt is not searching for a fight with Mercutio.

Tybalt's usually aggressive behaviour greets Romeo 'thou art a villain'. The audience can see the blatant detest Tybalt feels towards Romeo. Tybalt is taken aback by Romeo's response to his greeting and sees it as another insult. He replies to Romeo by calling him 'boy' which is a patronising and derogatory term. Tybalt has clearly been waiting to repay Romeo for that night at the ball. He states that whatever Romeo does it can't 'excuse the injuries' that Romeo has caused him. The audience can establish that he believes that Romeo has disgraced his family by appearing at their ball and that Tybalt has been planning his revenge ever since. He is seeking a trouble with Romeo.

When Romeo appears not to respond to his aggressive behaviour Mercutio stands in.

Tybalt asks him 'What wouldst thou have with me?' Tybalt doesn't make the first move. When he does stab Mercutio he runs away quickly. The audience may think this is because he doesn't want to be blamed for Mercutio's death. I think he runs because he was shocked at what had just happened because he meant to kill Romeo, not Mercutio.

When Tybalt returns he is confronted with a now enraged Romeo who tells Tybalt that him or Tybalt must join Mercutio. Tybalt is still angry with Romeo 'Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here'. This angers the audience that Tybalt has the cheek to enrage Romeo more after he has just killed Mercutio. He doesn't appear to regret the murder of Mercutio but the audience can't really tell because he doesn't comment enough about it. He may believe that Mercutio's death was a good thing and now he has come back to finish off Romeo too. He may regret what he has done deeply and come back to find out if Mercutio is ok. Tybalt's past behaviour would make the audience assume that he didn't care about Mercutio's death. At this point Romeo attacks him.

Tybalt seems determined to fight Romeo. His aggressive and fiery behaviour has added to the drama and tension in this scene, making it very exciting for the audience. The audience is worried that Romeo will die so Tybalt being out to get Romeo adds to the apprehension the audience experience throughout the scene.

Romeo is joyful in the beginning of this scene as he has just married Juliet who he loves deeply, although no one else on stage knows about this, which emphasises the dramatic irony. When Tybalt insults Romeo he responds gently 'Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee', only the audience understands this. He is very much in love with Juliet and excuses Tybalt for his aggressive greeting 'Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting'. This shows that Romeo is honourable to his wife by not rising to the bait and the audience would support him but also understand how he can be viewed as weak. Romeo dismisses Tybalt and tries to leave 'Therefore farwell'.

When Tybalt doesn't give in and insists on trying to provoke him. Romeo is level headed and keeps his mind on what he has said before. He tells Tybalt that he 'love thee better than thou canst devise', he also says 'good Capulet which, name I tender'. This shows the audience that he now loves the Capulets because he loves Juliet; however because he is so in love he doesn't understand the impact of these words on the other characters. This refers to one of Shakespeare's ideas that he uses throughout the play that 'love is blind'. Romeo is infatuated with Juliet so is oblivious of the situation around him.

When Mercutio steps in and begins fighting with Tybalt. Romeo tries to keep the peace. The audience are involved and excited about the fight but still concerned with Romeo's safety. Romeo says 'Draw Benvolio, beat down their weapons Gentlemen for shame forbear this outrage'. He is asking Benvolio who is a known peacekeeper to step in and help. He says that it is shameful to fight. He doesn't want them to get injured.

After Romeo realises that Mercutio is injured he says 'Courage man the hurt cannot be bad'. This isn't because he thinks Mercutio is over reacting or being a wimp. It is because he is hoping it is not bad and he is taken aback by the situation. Mercutio tells Romeo that it was he was stabbed. Romeo only replies 'I thought all for the best'. We don't get an insight into Romeo's thoughts until Mercutio is taken off.

Romeo voices what has happened as though he can't really believe it 'the Prince near ally. My very friend hath got this mortal hurt'. This is upsetting for an audience because Romeo is stressing how close he was to Mercutio and what a good person Mercutio was. He admits that Mercutio maybe dying. Then goes on 'my reputation slain'. This is one of the many examples throughout the play when Romeo thinks of himself when there are other more important matters. The audience maybe be annoyed at this but sympathise with Romeo's situation. He repeats what has just happened reminding the audience of the tragedy. He tells the audience how Juliet's beauty has weakened him, 'O sweet Juliet Thy beauty hath made me effeminate'. He is ashamed of what has just happened and blames himself and Juliet for the death of Mercutio The audience can see he thinks that he should have fought Tybalt but he didn't because he loves Juliet. His love stops him fighting.

When Benvolio reports Mercutios death Romeo is distressed. He makes a reference to fate 'This day's black fate on moe days doth depend'. The audience would be worried at this because it says that there is more bad luck to come and that this is the start.

When Tybalt returns Romeo is so distraught because of Mercutio's death. He believes Tybalt is triumphant 'He goes in triumph'. He knowingly allows himself to be controlled by his fury and Shakespeare then says therefore he is being controlled by hell. 'Away to heaven respective lenity And fired-eyes fury be my conduct now'. The audience at this point are on their edge of their seats for they are full of apprehension for Romeo.

He tells Tybalt that 'either thou or I or both must go'. He is telling Tybalt they must fight for he has to at least try to avenge Mercutio. Once Tybalt is dead Romeo seems regretful of what he has done 'I am fortunes fool.

Romeo changes dramatically throughout this scene. He goes from full of love to peacekeeper to a distraught guilt-stricken murderer. The death of his best friend changes him though the play also indicates that he is controlled by fate.

At the end of this scene Romeo's life is in the balance. Benvolio reports what has happened to the Prince honestly as always. 'There lies the man slain by young Romeo' he doesn't even try and put a slight spin on it. This shows how much he honours the Prince. Lady Capulet arrives and is devastated by the death of her nephew. She immediately demands the death of a Montague 'For blood of ours shed blood of Montague'. After this outburst from Lady Capulet, the Prince asks for a more detailed explanation from Benvolio, who again tells the truth but this because of what happened sheds a better light on Romeo than Tybalt.

So Lady Capulet tells the Prince that Benvolio's testimony can't be true. 'He is a kinsman to the Montague Affection makes him false'. She does not trust any Montague. She hates them for what they have done to her family. She demands the death of Romeo 'Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live'. She is asking for the death of her son-in-law although she does not know it. The audience know that Romeo is going to die and wonder if now is the time. They feel pity for Romeo but also for Lady Capulet.

Montague, Romeo's father steps in to try and persuade the Prince to spare the life of his child, 'Not Romeo'. He is trying to say that Romeo isn't the one to blame for this situation. Lady Capulet and Montague are trying to shift the blame from house to house. They know that ultimately the Prince gets to decide Romeo's fate. The audience know this to and are anxious for Romeo. This is why Romeo's life is in the balance and in the hands of the Prince the Montagues are trying to sway the Prince's decision in one way while the Capulets are trying to sway it the other way. Montague carries on attempting to influence the Prince 'His fault concludes what the law should end'. He is saying that Romeo made a mistake but if he hadn't killed Tybalt the law would have done.

The Prince states his decision. He tells them that Romeo must be exiled at once for his crime, 'exile him hence', though he believes he is showing Romeo sympathy because he was close to Mercutio. He says 'loss of mine' showing that he is also mourning Mercutio's death. He makes both houses pay for what has happened, like Mercutio he blames them both. He says that that he can't excuse murder for that in itself is the same as killing 'Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill'

The audience are stunned. They can't believe what has just happened. This scene leaves many unanswered questions, like what's going to happen to Juliet now Romeo is banished. This creates a sense of suspense for the audience.

This scene is full of tension and high drama. At the beginning when Tybalt and Mercutio are quarrelling, the audience feels the tension. The audience then awaits the outcome of Tybalt and Mercutio's fight and are disturbed by the result of Mercutio's death. All through this scene we are wondering what is going to happen next, there is so much going on. We worry about Romeo's safety throughout this scene, and this is not resolved by the end, leaving the audience in suspense. Shakespeare brings this story alive with exciting dramatic scenes that capture the audience's attention.