In Act 2, Scene 2, Shakespeare uses Romeo's speech to allude to the tragedy to come. "Had I it written (his name), I would tear the word". This implies that Romeo will harm himself. Shakespeare has used this to remind the audience that even as they meet for the second time, the lovers are destined for unhappiness. An Elizabethan audience would have found the idea of suicide shocking, as it was considered one of the worst sins and they were very religious. When they finally see Act 5, Scene 3, the audience will feel a sense of dread, as they know what is going to happen.
Act 5, Scene 3 begins with Paris grieving in the churchyard. He uses very poetic and rehearsed language and brings flowers, “Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew”. His grief is not genuine, and his marriage to Juliet was simply a contract. He is performing his duty, and grieving in a publicly acceptable manner. Shakespeare uses this language as an example of “courtly love”, and how scripted it seems in comparison to “real love”. This makes the audience feel more sympathy for Romeo, and would make an Elizabethan audience question the merits of "courtly love".
When Romeo appears, also grieving, there is a stark contrast between his language and Paris', “A grave? Oh no, a lantern, slaughtered youth”. Romeo's grief is very genuine, and he speaks in incomplete sentences, which are not poetic at all. He likens Juliet to a lantern, as she lit up his life, and even in death she lights up the tomb. The audience are able to empathise more with Romeo, as his pain is obvious and genuine.
Whilst in Juliet’s tomb, Romeo says of her face “Death’s pale flag is not yet advanced there”, meaning that she isn’t lifeless. His language indicates that he knows the truth, but it is just his own self-delusion. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to tantalising effect. The audience have their hopes built up, meaning they are even more frustrated when Romeo doesn’t realise the truth.
Romeo’s death is another example of the way in which Shakespeare uses dramatic irony. After he has taken the poison, he exclaims, “Thy drugs are quick”. At this point, the audience are powerless. They may still have a glimmer of hope that Juliet will wake up, and there will be a happy ending. These hopes are dashed by the ultimate frustration of Romeo’s swift death.
As well as dramatic irony, the theme of fate features prominently throughout the play. When Romeo says he wants to “Shake the yoke of inauspicious stars”, he wants to avoid his fate, a life without Juliet, by killing himself. However, he is really completing his fate, and Shakespeare shows him as a fool through this. Shakespeare is making the point that you cannot evade fate, as it is omnipotent. This makes the audience sympathise with Romeo’s plight, as he has no control over the situation.
Immediately after Romeo’s death, Juliet wakes up and says to Friar Laurence, “Where is my lord?” She is happy and expectant, and assumes Romeo will be there waiting for her, and that their plan has worked. Suspense is built up as the audience wait for her to discover Romeo’s death. Juliet’s excitement and happiness heightens her devastation when the truth is revealed.
After the soul destroying revelation that Romeo is dead, Juliet describes the poison on his lips as a “restorative”. She sees death as a preferable option and a cure to her unhappiness. The audience feel helpless at how futile both her and Romeo’s deaths have been, and angry at the feud and their parents for causing so many avoidable deaths.
Overall, Act 5, Scene 3 affects the audience on many different levels, both intellectually and emotionally. It teaches the power of real love, and how it can overcome even the most entrenched prejudice. It also shows how pointless and ultimately devastating such feuds can be. They are made to feel powerless, having seen such a shattering example of fate. The audience are also frustrated by the way in which events unfold so clearly before them, yet the characters carry on obliviously. They are forced to contemplate their own lives, and whether they are governed by fate.
