Consider how Shakespeare creates dramatic tension in Act Three, Scene One of "Romeo and Juliet" and the effect such tension has on the audience and the rest of the play.

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Steven Beaney

November 2002

Consider how Shakespeare creates dramatic tension in Act Three, Scene One of “Romeo and Juliet” and the effect such tension has on the audience and the rest of the play.                                              

Shakespeare was a well-know dramatist who wrote many plays, one of his most popular was Romeo and Juliet, which he wrote between 1595-1596, whilst he was still a young man.  It was out of character for Shakespeare to write a tragedy as previously he had written only comedies and histories. Romeo and Juliet is set in Italy and is described as, a tragedy play. The idea for the play is not original as Shakespeare based this play on a long poem by Arthur Brooke “The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet” which was written in 1562. I have chosen Act 1 Scene 3 the fight in which Tybalt kills Mercutio and in revenge Romeo kills Tybalt. This is a pivotal moment in this play, as it keeps the audience enthralled and creates dramatic tension

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Shakespeare sets the scene in the streets of Verona so the young men in the play are seen out in the world. All the scenes involving Juliet are in closed surroundings. Benvolio starts the scene by saying:

“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire:

 The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,

 And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl,

           For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring”

He is saying these words to Mercutio because he is feeling uneasy and is aware of the trouble brewing in ...

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