Act 3, scene 1 is probably Romeo and Juliet’s most significant scenes as well as one of its memorable. During the previous act, Shakespeare emphasised the theme ‘love’ in which Romeo and Juliet married in secret, then in act 3, scene 1 Shakespeare
In this scene hatred is expressed between the two houses of Verona, the Capulets and Montague’s, of which the lives of Mercutio and Tybalt were taken. This was a turning point of the play because of the deaths of the two of the most important characters. As the scene began Tybalt greeted Romeo by saying “Romeo thou art a villain” and shows the audience Tybalt is looking for trouble. Romeo does not want to fight as he says that Capulet is as much as his family name. Tybalt doesn’t understand why he announces this and again insults Romeo with “boy” and challenges him to a sword fight. Romeo is still adamant he doesn’t want to fight, of which then Mercutio had to help his friend. As Mercutio was stabbed he was still joking around as he said that “Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.” This illustrates to the audience that even when he is dieing he still is punning on the meaning of the word “grave”. After Mercutio quoted the famous line of “A plague of both your houses” a number of times in his dying moments. He clearly blames the feud (the “ancient grudge) as described in the prologue of the play this had a sudden affect on the mood within the play. When Benvolio announces that Mercutio is dead (“O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead”) the mood dramatically changes (Particularly in Zeffirelli version).
The death of Mercutio is argued to be Romeo’s blemish, because of his coward ness towards fighting Tybalt, therefore Mercutio had to protect Romeo. Whereas the death of Tybalt was an act of revenge from Romeo as one of his close friends were killed, Tybalt’s murder resulted in Romeo’s banishment from Verona. Romeo’s thoughtless and spontaneous behaviour is again expressed as so in act 1 scene 5 when he made his decision to marry Juliet. Romeo’s behaviour and his understanding of the possible consequences (‘I am fortunes fool!’) Reminds the audience of Romeo and Juliet’s ‘star-crossed’ status as lovers and arranges for the play to have a catastrophic ending.
Act 3, Scene 1 is a very unforgettable scene for the audience, particularly because of the method of dramatic irony. Other than Romeo, only the audience is alert of what happened in the previous scene (Romeo has married Juliet in secret) and the clever ‘twist’ in the play when Shakespeare emphasises the theme of ‘hate’ (with the scene before emphasising the subject of ‘love’) makes this scene an emotional and a extremely memorable experience for the audience. More than any other scene in the play, act 3, scene 1 is a hugely dramatic visual spectacle. With at first Tybalt and Mercutio fighting, followed by Romeo and Tybalt fighting creates a really memorable experience for the audience.
In conclusion to my essay Shakespeare clearly emphasises the status of Romeo and Juliet as “star-crossed” lovers throughout the play. In addition, Romeo’s actions and the impact on those around him (Mercutio cursing “both Capulets and Montagues” and the Prince reminding the audience of Romeo’s fate should he return to Verona) would have established his status as a catastrophic hero in Act 3 scene 1. After killing Tybalt, Romeo realised what he had done and quoted “O, I am fortunes fool”.
Shakespeare’s audience, both at his moment of writing and today, would be aware of his dramatic calamity in this play to comprehend that as a result of what happens in this scene, the forces of fate will mean that he play must end. The play does end with Romeo and Juliet paying the price for their “death-mark’d love”.
