Another of Shakespeare’s dramatic devices is the contrast between act 2 scene 6 and act 3 scene 1, this is evident as act 2 scene 6 is a very romantic scene between Romeo and Juliet, where Juliet pledges her love for Romeo. They exchange vows and get married in secret “you shall not stay alone Till holy church incorporate two in one” on contrast; act 3 scene 1 is very theatrical and exciting, the two scenes undergo a rigorous change in mood.
In act 3 scene 1, Mercutio and Tybalt have a swordfight and Tybalt ends up killing Mercutio “TYBALT under ROMEO’S arm stabs MERCUTIO, and flies with his followers.” Mercutio exclaims “I was hurt under your arm” which suggests Mercutio is blaming Romeo for his death. Shakespeare changes Romeo’s mood from calm and collective to vengeful and infuriated, in which he kills Tybalt with rage “They fight; TYBALT falls.”
As Mercutio dies he repeats the phrase “A plague on both your houses” – a curse that emphasises his anger for Romeo and Tybalt.
Throughout the play Shakespeare has used Benvolio as a narrator, this is significant because Benvolio is also a character and gives the impression to the reader that he is telling the story from his point-of-view.
Romeo murdering Tybalt comes as a great surprise to the reader as he is a calm individual that is not easily exasperated like Mercutio, but Romeos change in mood could be down to the rising tension and anticipation to Tybalt, as at first, Romeo is reluctant to fight, he quotes “This day’s black fate on more days both depend; This but begins the woe others must end,” Shakespeare uses a rhyming couplet to highlight dramatic irony, his mood shifts “now Tybalt, take the villain back again, That late thou gravest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” “Either thou, or, I, or both, must go with him.”
Overall act 3 scene 1 is action packed and full of thrill and suspense for the reader’s enjoyment; it starts as a romantic love story and turns into the climax of the play. At the end Shakespeare involves and interacts with the audience by the prince’s words “two deaths in a very short space of time.” This makes the audience feel that something could have been done to prevent the swordfights.
I think act 3 scene 1 is an electrifying and very dramatic part. I admire the way Shakespeare uses imagery to create a realistic atmosphere and the emphasis on the characters so you really find out about their personalities and how they are.
