Then later on Romeo arrives with Balthasar this is quite high tension as Romeo is not in a good mood. With the quote “I will tear thee joint by joint, and screw this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.” Shakespeare is creating again, a tense atmosphere between the characters and the audience. With the words “tear” and “joint” It brings across a gruesome image of Romeo tearing Balthasar’s joints from its limbs and throwing it around the church. With this particular quote the audience may feel startled, as they thought Romeo as a romantic loving and passionate character. But there is now a contrast as Romeo has turned into a vicious character.
Following on from this, after Romeo has killed Paris, he then says his soliloquy. With the quote “thus with a kiss I die.” Shakespeare creates a very emotional atmosphere as Romeo has just killed him self over a big misunderstanding. This for the audience is very frustrating as dramatic irony (which is very high) comes into play here. Because if only Romeo had got the letter saying Juliet wasn’t dead he wouldn’t have had to kill himself. This then creates a very tragic atmosphere and high tension. Also with one of Romeos last words “kiss” It shows that Romeo wanted to be known as a romantic character when he dies and with this word, he is showing his true love for Juliet.
Shortly after Romeos death we hear Friar Lawrence’s conversation, “O much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.” Firstly with this quote Shakespeare brings down the tension level to prepare us for the next death. But this does create a tense atmosphere, as there is high dramatic irony, because we know that something bad has happened. With the word “fear” it creates an emotional atmosphere as the audience will feel frustrated that Balthasar now knows the letter did not reach Romeo and because of it Romeo has killed himself, just a couple of minutes to late where his life could be spared.
Then a couple of minutes before Juliet dies, she too says her soliloquy. With the quote “O happy dagger” Firstly the tension level has gone up to the highest point, along with Romeos death. With this Shakespeare creates a very emotional atmosphere with firstly the word “happy.” This helps the audience see that through death Juliet will be able to have everlasting happiness with her only true love Romeo. But on the other hand with the word “dagger” Juliet will have to kill herself to get to Romeo. And with this word it gives imagery of a quick, painful, gruesome and a blood spilt end. Because of this, it would create a very emotional atmosphere for the rich people at the theatre at that time as both of these romantic lovers have died over love for each other. But on the other hand the groundlings may find it humorous as so many people are dying!
Lastly with Juliet’s last couple of words “there rust and let me die” Shakespeare has created a very emotional atmosphere as Juliet has killed herself and if she would have woken up a couple of seconds earlier, both hers and Romeos life’s would have been saved. With the words “let me die.” It shows the audience that Juliet wants to die so she can be her Romeo. This would defiantly create a tragic atmosphere and a tragic ending. This would make the audience feel upset and emotional as all this time Juliet was sleeping, also how there parent’s strife has ended up killing two innocent children.
I have now explored the different atmospheres and the dramatic techniques that go on during the last scene of the play. But sadly because of a series of unfortunate events, these “star-crosses lovers” end up in a very tragic and blood spilt end, which makes them renowned throughout time itself as the passionate characters of Romeo and Juliet.
James O’Mara – Copeman
10CMC
