Essay Question: How does Shakespeare use dramatic devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in order to make it such an interesting, exciting and important scene?

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Essay Question: ‘How does Shakespeare use dramatic devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in order to make it such an interesting, exciting and important scene?’

        In this essay, I am going to explain how Shakespeare uses dramatic devices in order to make it such an interesting, exciting and important scene. Also, how Shakespeare explores violence and conflict conveyed by the two families in reference to Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. I will comment on the use of language, the themes Shakespeare sets within the play and the effects on the audience intended by him.

        In the city of Verona, an aggressive and vicious fight begins between the Capulets and the Montagues. Benvolio who is a Montague tries to bring peace; then he becomes involved in the outrage. After Romeo has married Juliet; Romeo is involved with a fight between Tybalt and Mercutio. Tybalt kills Mercutio, then Romeo fights Tybalt and kills him. Before the wedding Juliet drinks the potion and is apparently dead. Romeo decides to kill himself because he believes he cannot live without her. Juliet wakes after drinking her potion realising Romeo has taken his life away. Then kills herself with a dagger alongside him.

        Romeo and Juliet was written during 1595 by William Shakespeare who was about 26 years old. It was set in the Italian city of Verona. The play Romeo and Juliet fits very well into the Shakespearean tragedy. In the play there is a peripeteia, where the events take a terrible turn for the worst. One can agree with this pattern of Shakespearean tragedy when Tybalt kills Mercutio; and Romeo kills Tybalt. This event occurred the same day as when Romeo and Juliet newly married.

        The general theme of the play focuses on romantic love, intense passion between Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare attempts to use Romeo and Juliet’s love to resolve the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. There is a Shakespearean tragedy by the element of fate. This means something that is combined with the heroes’ actions. It makes the tragedy more inevitable, because fate controls all the events in the play which leads to Romeo and Juliet’s death. Such as when Shakespeare tells the tale of the demise of two lovers. It occurs when Romeo believes Juliet is actually dead. This is tragedy because Juliet is not actually dead. Then Romeo decided to kill himself. When Juliet awakens and sees Romeo is dead, she kills herself as well. Romeo and Juliet are ‘star crossed lovers’ they were destined to love each other and be together even in death. However, the word ‘crossed’ means that there is something wrong with the situation they are in. The audience are aware of the fact that Romeo and Juliet are going to die. The tragic struggle of Romeo and Juliet’s love is a violent, ecstatic, overpowering force. They experience true love even though it is forbidden. The general contrast of love and hate in the play is explicit. Their love contrasts with the hate of the feud. It is incredibly dangerous for them to be together, they know they are taking a risk.

        Even though Romeo and Juliet is based on innocent love between two individuals. There are many scenes in particular with Act 3 Scene 1 that involves a routine of violence and conflict. Act 3 Scene 1 is a pivotal scene in the play. It begins with Mercutio making everyone laugh. After, newly married Romeo enters and Tybalt wants to fight him. “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.” Romeo refuses because he considers Tybalt as family and does not want to be dishonourable towards Juliet. “And so good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as mine own, be satisfied.” Mercutio decides to fight for Romeo because Romeo had dishonoured himself. In the 16th century, refusing to fight would make the person ruin their social reputation. Romeo tries to break up the fight and Mercutio is killed. Romeo becomes angry and decides to kill Tybalt. At the end of Act 3 Scene 1 the Prince declares the banishment of Romeo due to his actions. “Immediately we do exile him hence.”

        In Act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare uses dramatic devices in order to make it an interesting, exciting and important scene. Shakespeare uses various methods to create mood and atmosphere at the beginning of the scene. He uses these devices to involve the audience and convey tension. The methods are used to shock the audience and entertain them. The audience have no idea of the events that will happen later on or whether the characters who are involved in a fight actually fight or not. This would build their curiosity within Act3 Scene1.

        One dramatic device Shakespeare uses to make it an interesting, exciting and important scene is repetition of the word “hot” which introduces the mood of menace, troublesome and quarrelsome behaviour. Where the heat represents anger, which symbolises agitation. This is repeated constantly in the play. It is evident that Shakespeare is giving us clues that a tragic event will happen later on. He gives us clues that there may be a quarrel; such as when Mercutio and Tybalt fight in Act 3 Scene 1. Shakespeare uses repetition to give us clues and acknowledge a worried feeling for the audience throughout the play. Moreover the clues are given by Shakespeare in order to cause a feeling of eagerness for the audience.

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        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 ...

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