Another example of dramatic devices in the scene is when the nurse enters while Romeo and Juliet are still in the bedroom. In the play it says the stage directions here say the nurse “Enters Hastily” this shows the audience that there is a sense of urgency as the nurse is attempting to warn the lovers that Lady Capulet is coming. This type of device is known as a Dramatic Entrance and is used here by Shakespeare to build tension. This engages and maintains the audience’s interest in the scene.
When Romeo and Juliet say goodbye to each other Shakespeare employs language of romance. Juliet says: “O by this count I shall be much in years ere I again behold my Romeo!”
This shows the audience that Juliet is truly in love with Romeo because of the tone she is talking in and the language she has used and the use of exclamation marks which show the emphasis of this sentence. Therefore, the emphasis on the dramatic language here shows the importance of the exit of Romeo.
When Lady Capulet enters Juliet’s room, she finds her crying. Juliet crying because Romeo has just left and she did not want him to go. However Lady Capulet thinks that Juliet is crying because of her cousin Tybalt who has just died, she says “Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death?” This is use of dramatic irony because the audience know more than Lady Capulet as we know that Juliet is crying for Romeo and not Tybalt. Therefore, this dramatic device allows the audience to become involved with the scene.
The atmosphere changes rapidly later on in the scene as Lady Capulet threatens to avenge Tybalts death. She says “Shall give him such a unaccustomed dram that he shall soon keep Tybalt company; and then I hope though wilt be satisfied.” This suggests Lady Capulet wants revenge by poisoning Romeo. As you can imagine this worries Juliet as her husband is about to be killed by her mother. Therefore, Shakespeare uses the language of hate and vengeance to interest the audience and show the true nature of Lady Capulet.
Furthermore, when Lady Capulet says that Juliet is to marry Paris on Thursday. The audience become very interested as they already know that Juliet is married to Romeo, which this is an example of dramatic irony, because the audience know more than the characters. Therefore the audience are seeing the scene as central and important to the play as a whole
When Juliet’s father says to Juliet that she has to get married to Paris, Juliet tries to remain calm as she quietly utters the words “Good father, I beseech you on my knees, Hear me with patience but to speak a word.” Here Juliet begs her father’s patients on her knees. Lord Capulet’s reaction shows he has no respect for his daughter, he says “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient Wretch! ” this phrase uses the dramatic device of conflict and language of insults as Lord Capulet here is clearly calling his daughter a ‘wretch’ and ‘baggage’. Juliet sarcastically comments like “Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much.” This is an example of sarcasm because she doesn’t really think he has comforted her.
Lady Capulet also does not show any mercy towards her daughter she says to Juliet “Talk to me not, for I’ll not speak a word.” Here Lady Capulet says to Juliet don’t talk to me because I shall not reply. This can be viewed by the audience as quite emotional as Juliet has turned to her mother for support and her mother has also disowned her giving her know comfort. Lady Capulet adds, “I am done with thee” here she is rejecting her own daughter. This is an example of dramatic irony as the audience know this is the last time Lady Capulet will see her daughter alive. In the scene Juliet’s parents whereas in Juliet’s case they both reject her and seem uninterested about what she wants, they want for her only to follow their wishes.
After her parents have exited in a dramatic way Juliet is left feeling angry and frustrated she has a large problem because she has been asked by Lord and Lady Capulet to marry Paris but they do not know that she is married to Romeo. The Nurse tells Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet cannot believe this as the nurse has always supported her, for instance she organised the marriage between Romeo and Juliet. The nurse’s comments, “I think it best you married with the county. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! Romeo’s a dishclout to him.” In response to the nurses comments, Juliet shows through how she is talking and her actions that she can also be rude back you know this when she makes sarcastic comments like, “well though hast comforted me marvellous much” this is an example of sarcasm because she does not really think she has comforted her.
When the Nurse leaves the scene; Juliet is then left on stage on her own. This makes the audience feel tense because they don’t know what is going to happen next. Juliet then decides to go too Friar Lawrence for help; he devises a plan too help Juliet avoid the marriage. This makes the audience feel relaxed because they think its going to be a happy ending where as its not.
In conclusion act 3 scene 5 affects the audience in numerous ways because of dramatic devices employed by Shakespeare. From these the audience are able to become more involved and feel different emotions. Act 3 scene 5 is a very important part in the play as it is successful because it demonstrates the climax and predicts the ending of the play. This scene is very eventful because Romeo and Juliet are separated from one another. Furthermore we see the action of Lord Capulet Being enraged by his daughter’s refusal of the marriage. The scene is very dramatic as it shows action, deception and conflict while entertaining and interesting the audience.
