Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in Act 3 Scene 1 to make the audience learn more about the character and the situation they are in. Shakespeare links the theme of public v private when Romeo refuses to rise to Tybalt’s challenge. There is dramatic irony when Romeo arrives just after his marriage to Juliet. Tybalt searches for Romeo because of his animosity towards the Montagues such as in Act 1 Scene 1 “As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” Romeo tries to bring peace between Mercutio and Tybalt and avoids conflict. “And so good Capulet which name I tender as dearly as my own be satisfied” The audience learn that Romeo has feelings and love towards the Capulet since he has married Juliet. This is interesting for the reader because they would feel confused whether Tybalt would still want to fight or not after Romeo is complimenting on the Capulet family.
Another dramatic device Shakespeare uses is foreshadowing; this is seen when Mercutio is defending Romeo’s honour “Oh calm dishonourable, vile submission” This conveys conflict and that Mercutio is an extremely brave and proud character. He is protecting Romeo’s masculine honour. It has an impact on the reader for Shakespeare is preparing us for Romeo’s banishment later on in the scene. It introduces tension and the reader is left feeling anxious for Mercutio as he is a hot-tempered man. The audience know that a serious or dangerous event will occur when he defends Romeo’s masculine honour. Also, the audience will be left in suspense about what is going to happen later on. At this point the Elizabethan audience are perhaps curious assuming that the tragic hero Romeo may be involved in a fight later on, the audience must be worried that a banishment may occur due to the princes warnings in the previous scene Act 1 Scene 1. As Romeo is the most adored by the audience, the audience may be relieved because Mercutio helps Romeo with the quarrel. The modern day audience would not have as much feeling or excitement as the Elizabethan audience did; instead they would feel sympathy for Romeo as he does not want to fight in the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1 after being married to Juliet. When Shakespeare uses these dramatic devices, he uses these to create a Carthosis and take the audience on an emotional journey.
Even though Mercutio has been stabbed and is seriously hurt, he still has a sense of humour. “Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man” Mercutio’s words are a pun. His friends believe that he is using the words “grave” as in serious. However, Mercutio as a matter of fact means “grave” as in dead. This interests the Elizabethan audience because they would be confused about Mercutio’s interpretation. They would believe that there may be another quarrel later on in the scene or Mercutio would die; which would make them be eager to watch the play. However, the modern audience believe that Mercutio interprets grave as in dead. This would interest the modern day audience of the events between Romeo and Tybalt; because the audience may believe that there would be conflict between the two characters.
Repetition of the word “quarrel” in Mercutio’s speech conveys dramatic irony. Shakespeare uses repetition of “quarrel” to create an impact on the audience. The audience know that Mercutio is the quarrelsome one not Benvolio. Therefore, this makes Act 3 Scene 1 an interesting and exciting scene because it entertains the audience and tension is being raised by Shakespeare.
The words “mad blood stirring” conveys the ideas of tempers being raised and conflict between the two characters, Mercutio and Benvolio. It creates the effect of hatred and intolerance; in particular with Mercutio. This also gives us clues about future events which is foreshadowing. “Mad blood stirring” also conveys “hot” this could perhaps emphasise the later events that will happen; such as the quarrel between Romeo and Tybalt in Act 3 Scene 1. Shakespeare uses conflict and foreshadowing to entertain the audience and have the audience prepared for Tybalt’s and Mercutio’s death.
Dramatic tension is used at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1. Benvolio’s words and behaviour to Mercutio emphasises conflict between the two characters. “Or reason coldly of your grievances” this reinforces the idea that Benvolio seems aggravated and is attempting to prevent a fight from occurring, he is telling Mercutio to be reasonable and calm. Benvolio is a peacemaker and wants to keep the beginning of a quarrel discreet. He is a loyal friend because he does not want anyone to be involved in a fight since the Prince’s warnings. However Mercutio character contrasts and is behaving irrational, becomes increasingly belligerent which emphasises more tension built within Act 3 Scene 1. Mercutio’s and Benvolio’s actions unbalances the atmosphere, the effect of the atmosphere creates dramatic tension. This unsettles the audience and makes them feel uneasy about the situation. It leads to anticipation; the audience is left wondering what will happen next. Moreover it is an important scene because the audience become eager on Mercutio’s decision, if he would listen to Benvolio or not.
Shakespeare ominously forecasts Mercutio’s death. He shows this by Benvolio’s statement. He states that if he were as quick to pick a quarrel as Mercutio, he wouldn’t have lasted so long. This is when Mercutio is accusing Benvolio of being quarrelsome and hot tempered. “Quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes.” However, Benvolio wants to avoid conflict. It highlights the idea that Shakespeare has used dramatic irony and foreshadowing. The effects of dramatic irony and foreshadowing give a great impact on the audience because tension is raised. Which creates excitement for the audience, it is quite entertaining for the audience as Mercutio says this to Benvolio as a joke. But the audience are unsure whether Mercutio is serious in these lines. Therefore, it is evident that Shakespeare has used dramatic irony and foreshadowing to keep the audience interested.
Shakespeare uses language to emphasise the feud. “Though art a villain.” This is dramatic irony because by Tybalt calling Romeo a villain, the audience know it is actually Tybalt who is. Tybalt is insulting and provoking Romeo. This indicates Shakespearean tragedy because Tybalt is killed by Romeo. The audience finds this amusing; however they also have a feeling of anxiousness because they do not want Romeo to be involved with Tybalt. The audience do not want this occur because he is charming and a hero. If he becomes involved with Tybalt he would die.
Dramatic irony is used when Romeo blames fortune and destiny for his actions. “O, I am fortunes fool!” The audience learn that Romeo is worried about him and Juliet’s future. They fall in love, they think about marriage and their future life. Romeo thinks of this as fortune. Now he has killed Tybalt who has a close relationship with Juliet, she may not accept him anymore. Her family may not think of him as a gentleman. Such as when lady Capulet says “Romeo must not live” The audience feel sympathy for Romeo because he tried to avoid a fight at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1. It is interesting because the audience are unsure how Juliet will react as she finds out about Tybalt’s death.
Dramatic irony is used by the entrance of Romeo. When Tybalt sees Romeo enter, he instantly insults and undermines him. "Thou art a villain" Tybalt says this because he thinks Romeo is mocking him and wants to fight him right away. “Villain” is used in Tybalt’s words to call Romeo a peasant; this is a big insult for Romeo because he is rich. This is dramatic irony because the audience know that Romeo has recently married Juliet in the previous scene Act 2 Scene 6. It has an impact on both the Elizabethan and Modern audience because it leads to an exciting force where the problems are introduced.
Shakespeare contrasts the mood of the scene Act 3 Scene 1 with the romantic atmosphere of the previous scene, Act 2 Scene 6. Shakespeare uses the themes of love and hate; he does this to take the audience on an emotional journey. Moreover, to make it interesting and exciting for the reader.
The mood of Act 3 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 6 are very different because of its variety of language and style. In Act 2 Scene 6, Romeo visits Friar Lawrence to arrange his wedding to Juliet. In this scene the repetition of “joy” is repeated many times in this scene. It implies love between Romeo and Juliet and a happy atmosphere. It contrasts the mood compared to Act 3 Scene 1 because in this scene Romeo’s motivation is selfish. He is concerned that maybe loving Juliet has softened him and weakened his courage. “O I am fortune’s fool!” He decides to kill Tybalt to prove to himself that he is protecting his masculine honour. This provides a progressive intensity of interest for the audience and will make it exciting for them to watch.
Shakespeare contrasts the mood of Act 3 Scene 1 with the romantic atmosphere of Act 2 Scene 6. The words “holy words” is referring to his love for Juliet. It reinforces the idea of love and hate because Romeo and Juliet know they are taking a risk. However, their love for each other is strong and their actions cancel out all the hate. Act 3 Scene 1 is a contrast compared to Act 2 Scene 6 because Romeo chooses his loyalty over his love for Juliet and kills Tybalt. This could shock the reader because they may have expected Romeo to not kill Tybalt which would make the audience have a feeling of excitement.
Shakespeare uses mood and atmosphere at the start of the scene. He uses the two characters Benvolio and Mercutio to convey the mood of antagonism and animosity. By describing the way they speak and behave. This makes it clear that Shakespeare deliberately uses contrast between the two characters. Benvolio’s personality is calm, sensible and he avoids conflict. In contrast, Mercutio is irrational, short-tempered and in driven by his honour. This makes the Elizabethan audience feel anxious and full of anticipation. The audience could expect a quarrel or a fight to happen because the two characters will never get on and their personalities are very different. This means it will keep them interested whilst watching this particular scene.
The importance of honour in Act 3 Scene 1 changed the way Romeo behaves in Act 2 Scene 6. Before Romeo attempted to avoid being in a quarrel with Tybalt because he now became part of the Capulet family. “Good Capulet-which name I tender as dearly as my own” Later on in Act 3 Scene 1. Romeo decides to kill Tybalt because he believed his honour was more important and he wanted to prove to himself he has not softened since he fell in love with Juliet. Shakespeare contrasts the mood of these two scenes by introducing the themes of love and hate. The scene becomes exciting, interesting and important for the Elizabethan audience builds a sense of eagerness for the audience.
Shakespeare uses this scene to link to the previous events in the play. The events he has links with the feud between Montagues, Capulets, previous brawls and the Prince’s warnings.
Love has affected the feud in a positive way. Romeo’s love for Juliet has softened him. “My reputation stained with Tybalt’s slander...thy beauty hath made me effeminate...my temper softened valour’s steel.” Shakespeare links this to the previous scene when Romeo has married Juliet, Act 2 Scene 6 and Romeo looks back on how Juliet has changed his attitude and weakened him. It creates excitement because it makes the audience feel pleased and ecstatic.
Shakespeare emphasises that the feud is intense an on-going. “Fatal brawl” this conveys that it must always end in death. The words “Fray” convey fighting and brawling. Moreover, “deaf to peace” gives the idea of animosity, irrational and hatred. These quotes link to previous events because there was a feud between the Montagues and the Capulets in Act 1 Scene 1 and there still is in Act 3 Scene 1. This is interesting for the audience because they will want to watch the play and see if the feud ever becomes resolved.
The Prince’s words “And for that offence immediately we do exile him hence...I will deaf to pleading and excuses.” Shakespeare uses this scene to link to previous events and to highlight the intensity of the feud because at the beginning of Romeo and Juliet the Prince had warned the Montagues and the Capulets when there was a feud between the two families. In Act 1 Scene 1 the Prince’s warning was that the next person to start a fight will be executed. The Prince said this because he was fretting over the number of feuds. This will have a dramatic impact on the audience because the audience know that the families frequently have arguments.
Shakespeare makes Act 3 Scene 1 such an interesting, exciting and important scene because of the conflict between the two characters Romeo and Tybalt, Tybalt and Mercutio. Also, the impact it has on the audience.
There is physical conflict when Romeo kills Tybalt. A fight began because of Tybalt’s animosity towards the Montagues. Romeo attempts to avoid the quarrel because he has a different perspective towards Tybalt since he has married Juliet. He is motivated by love for her. Romeo cares about his masculine honour; he becomes hot tempered after Tybalt has killed his close friend Mercutio. Romeo is left in rage and decides to kill Tybalt to be loyal towards Mercutio. The audience have a feeling of anxiousness. They will think about whether anyone finds out who killed Tybalt or if he would be banished considering the Prince’s warnings in Act 1 Scene 1. Moreover, the audience could feel conflicted because they understand that Romeos motivation is driven by his love for Juliet. This makes Act 3 Scene 1 interesting and exciting and important for the audience.
Another example of physical conflict is when Tybalt accidently kills Mercutio under Romeo’s arm. Tybalt challenges Romeo and they begin to have a sword fight. Tybalt mind set is to kill Romeo, however the sword reaches under Romeo’s arm and it fatally wounds Mercutio. Tybalt is careless when he kills Mercutio because of his animosity towards the Montagues and for revenge on Romeo. Tybalt and Mercutio’s character are similar. They are both hot-tempered, have a strong sense of male honour, passionate on the subject of masculine honour and are very impulsive. Their characters build tension for the Elizabethan audience which creates excitement for them.
Shakespeare uses dramatic impact of entrances and exits in particular those which are involving Mercutio’s death. He uses this to make Act 3 Scene 1 a very interesting, exciting and important scene for the Elizabethan, Modern day audiences and the reader.
Dramatic impact is used when Romeo enters at the moment when Tybalt mentions the word “peace” It is exciting and entertaining for the audience because they would believe that Tybalt will stop fighting and he will remain calm. However, the audience are surprised when Tybalt wants to begin a fight with Romeo. The effect this creates on the audience is a feeling of anxiety. This makes it interesting because it keeps them drawn into play.
When Tybalt exits immediately after slaying Mercutio, it creates dramatic impact. This is shocking for the audience. They will believe that Tybalt is careless as he does not regret accidently killing Mercutio; also Tybalt is trying to conceal what he just did because of the Prince’s warnings. This would make the Elizabethan audience feel angry because of Tybalts actions and they would want to see what will happen to him.
Dramatic impact is created as Romeo steps in whilst Mercutio and Tybalt are fighting. It reveals that Romeo may distract Tybalt. This Elizabethan audience will respond and have a feeling of anxiety; they will feel stressed and worried. The modern day audience would not be as passionate as the Elizabethan audience are, the modern day audience would feel worried, But not as much as the Elizabethan. This is how Shakespeare makes Act 3 Scene 1 an interesting, exciting and important scene.
Towards the end of Act 3 Scene 1, some of the main characters personalities change instantly. Mercutio’s attitude changed from teasing and trying to embarrass Tybalt; to a serious person. Romeo changed as well by being sentimental, considerate to his new wife Juliet and caring for the Capulet family, to a tempered person who kills a member of the Capulet family, Tybalt. Tybalt’s character does not change at any point before or during Act 3 Scene 1 as he is a fiery person.
Shakespeare uses Benvolio as a narrator, an example of this is when Benvolio says “Tybalt deaf to peace” The impression Benvolio is conveying of Tybalt is a hot-tempered person. He shows that Tybalt is fearless and his intentions were to kill. Benvolio is blaming Tybalt for the death of Mercutio. Benvolio also conveys that it may have been a good that he had passed away because he had started the quarrel. This makes the scene interesting because he is explaining to the prince what has recently happened and the audience are aware of the Prince’s warnings in Act 1 Scene 1. The audience may also be relieved that Tybalt had died instead of Romeo. However, Tybalt participates to Romeo’s downfall because of the tragic events that occur. Due to Tybalt’s death, Romeo was exiled from Verona; this means that he was unable to hear Friar Lawrence and Juliet’s plan. Romeo did not know about the plan at all which lead to Romeo killing himself as he believed Juliet was dead.
The way the plot development is used in Act 3 Scene 1 is used to create suspense. Romeo fears the evil outcomes of violence today lie in the future. “This day’s black fate on moe days doth depend...” Many people believe that this is when tragedy begins. Shakespeare uses language of revenge tragedy. This is where the main character is the revenger. During the 1590’s this type of play was popular. To these words the audience will be left in suspense because they will predict that something terrible will happen soon because of their knowledge of Shakespearean tragedy. The audience will predict that Romeo is planning to kill Tybalt because of the hatred he has bestowed upon him.
In Act 3 Scene 1, I believe that Romeo would not have killed Tybalt if he did not kill Mercutio. Shakespeare made sure Mercutio life ended to ensure that Romeo will begin his tragic course. His actions are inevitable and they have already been preordained. However, in the subject of free will. Romeo had an option to avoid the quarrel and walk away. However he chose to avenge Mercutio because he wanted to be loyal to him. This means that Romeo could have been responsible for his own tragedy.
In my opinion, I believe that Shakespeare has used dramatic devices to shock the audience, keep them interested and to make it exciting for them. He wants to prepare them for a greater event and give them clues on what is going to occur in the future. It is a pivotal scene with one of the most crucial moments.