Act III Scene V - This is a very important scene. Select and comment on key moments for the audience in this scene. What are some of the differences in attitudes between then and now?

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Act III Scene V

        This is a very important scene. Select and comment on key moments for the audience in this scene. What are some of the differences in attitudes between then and now?

        Romeo and Juliet are waking up together after there first night of being man and wife. The beginning of this scene is very important because it shows the readers how much Romeo and Juliet actually love each other, they do not want to sep. Juliet begins by suggesting that they have been awakened by the nightingale and therefore it must still be night:

        “Believe me love, it was the nightingale.”

However Romeo introduces an element of tension, which alerts the audience to the precariousness of their situation. This is shown when Romeo says

        “I must be gone and live, or stay and die.”

Romeo’s use of the word “die” emphasises for the audience the danger that he is in.

        Juliet persists that the morning has not yet arrived and so Romeo should not be in a hurry to leave yet:

        “Yon light is not daylight, I know it, I.”

Romeo responds in a content manor, he says

        “I am content, so thou wilt have it so …

        Come death, and welcome, Juliet wills it so.”

This shows the audience how much he loves Juliet and is willing to die if she wills him to stay. The use of the word death is ironic due to the happenings later on in the story.

        This willingness of Romeo to stay makes Juliet rethink and she changes her mind, urging Romeo to keep his life and leave before he is seen.

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        “It is, it is, hie hence, be gone, away.” The pace of Juliet’s speech quickens at this point as she realizes Romeo, her love, could be in danger. This urgency for Romeo to leave shows the audience the care and love Juliet has for him. This point in the scene makes the audience feel compassionate for their separation as they clearly love each other so intensely.

The next key point in this scene is after the Nurse has warned Romeo and Juliet of Lady Capulet’s proximity. Romeo is about to leave out of the window ...

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