Compare and Contrast 3 scenes in Romeo and Juliet from the point of view of the dramatic impact they make upon an Elizabethan

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Cara Johnson                                                                                            GCSE English

Compare and Contrast 3 scenes in Romeo and Juliet from the point of view of the dramatic impact they make upon an Elizabethan audience.

At the time Romeo and Juliet was written and would have been first performed would be in Elizabethan times. Elizabethan theatres had no lights, no curtains, because of this something had o happen at the start to gain immediate attention from the audience. Before the play would have started people in the theatre would have been walking around chatting to their friends, because of this and the fact there were no lights or curtains to show that the play had begun, Shakespeare had to use a dramatic beginning to get the audience to be quiet.

Act One Scene One begins with a Chorus informing the audience of what happens in the play and telling them all the relevant background information such as where the play is set.

“Two households alike in dignity,

(In fair Verona where lay our scene)”

The play opens with sexual language and sexual innuendos which will immediately gain the Elizabethans attention, as they were known to have a good sense of humour, also a fight on stage between Capulets and Montagues would catch the audiences attention.

Overall it would be a very dramatic opening that would have a great dramatic impact on the audience. An example of a smutty joke that would gain the audiences attention would be when Sampson (a servant to the Capulet) says:

“My naked weapon is out”

Although he means his sword, Elizabethans would interpret it differently making them interested in the play.

As we read more into the play we get into the political side which has a huge dramatic impact on the Elizabethan audience.

During the fight the Prince of Verona, Escales, makes a speech on the dangers of civil war and explains the consequences if they fight again.

The prince starts his speech with the word “Rebellious” this would have an immediate dramatic impact on the Elizabethans as they could relate to the play because of the plots to rebel against Queen Elizabeth, they would therefore understand the importance of the princes speech in the play.

He then goes on to say that hatred is destroying them and disturbing their streets. They are then all given a warning that if they ever fight again, then they shall be given the death sentence.

“If you ever disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace”

This had a huge dramatic impact and was of great importance to the Elizabethans. The reason for this is that they believed the need for a strong leader, so they saw the importance of the prince being in charge. Also the Elizabethans did not believe in civil war and the fact that there was civil war in England that was still fresh in their minds had more of a dramatic impact on them, this meant that they could relate to the play more and respect the prince for being a strong ruler, and being firm with both the Capulets and Montagues, The Elizabethans would understand the role of the prince and relate it to what was going on in real life. Also when the prince mentions “Three Civil brawls” this informs the audience of more background information.

There is more dramatic significance in the play when the characters talk about Romeo before he is even on the stage, this is cleverly done to get the audiences attention and interest to find out what Romeo is like.

Key characters Benvolio and Montague, talk about Romeo having something wrong with him, this gains the audiences attention as they are intrigued to find out what is wrong with him.

Later on in the play we learn that Romeo is suffering from what he thinks is love sickness.  This has a huge dramatic impact on the Elizabethans as love sickness was a common theme in that time, they would also appreciate making fun of Romeo as at that time Elizabethans that what they once thought was love sickness actually wasn’t. It is clear that Shakespeare is making fun as there is realisation that Romeo is not being very sincere when he says

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“Where shall we dine?”

This shows he is not being truthful as he claims he is love sick and really ill yet he still manages to think about food. We are told that Romeo is supposedly love sick when he says

“A word ill urg’d to one that is so ill.

In sadness cousin, I do love a woman”

Also the audience does not know who Romeo is love sick over this has dramatic significance on the Elizabethan audience and keeps them interested and want to carry on watching to find out who it is that ...

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