Women were not allowed to act on stage do Juliet’s role would have been played by a young boy whose voice had not yet broken.
The audience did not sit passively and watch, they almost took part in it like a pantomine today. If the audience did not like it, they would ‘boo’ the actors and throw rotten fruit at them. The common public loved to be entertained because their everyday life was so dull and full of hard work. They enjoyed rough comedy, bear-bailing, cock fights, hangings etc...
Romeo and Juliet would have been a success to an Elizabethan audience and the Queen because it not only has romance; it also has violence, tragedy and different types of comedy such as slapstick, dirty jokes and dark humour.
The atmosphere changes from happy and celebratory where Romeo has married Juliet, to tense and fall of anger in Act 3 scene 1. This act and scene are very important to the plot of the play as this is when Mercutio and Tybalt die.
Mercutio’s death affects the plot dramatically. This comedy in the play dies with Mercutio. This death starts the true tragedy of the play, as Mercutio is dying he curses both houses. “A plague a’ both houses!” the repetition of this curse three times gives the audience an idea of the tragedy at the end in act 5, scene 3. The Elizabethan audience where very superstitious they would have loved this because they could relate to it.
Romeo killing Tybalt also changes the plot of the play. The play will no longer be a happily ever after story. Romeo has killed his wife’s cousin, “They fight, Tybalt falls” this is the second climax in this act 3, scene 1. As a consequence for killing Juliet’s cousin Romeo would be killed or banished. “And for that offence Immediately we do exile him hence.” The prince resolves the drama by exiling Romeo. This is written in rhyming couplets to show the prince is important. The romance has also died with Romeo’s impulsive actions. “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” The exclamation mark shows Romeo’s anger this increases the tension even more.
One of the many themes in Romeo and Juliet is family love this is love for your parents and relatives. An example of this is in Act 3, scene 1 “Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother’s child!” Lady Capulet is mourning because death of Tybalt. There is also family love between Romeo and Tybalt, Romeo has to show him family love as they are now related through marriage “But love thee better than thou canst devise, Till thou shalt know the reason of my love. And so, good, Capulet, which name I tender As dearly as mine own...” Romeo tries to make peace with tybalt as they are now related through marriage.
Violence is another theme. If there was no violence in the play, it would not be a tragedy but merely a romance. There is violence between Montague’s and Capulet's but the main violent character is Tybalt “Romeo, the love to bear thee can afford No better term than this: thou art a villain.” Tybalt is provoking him by insulting him so he will fight with him.
The most violent and disastrous scene is Act 3, scene 1 when Tybalt and Mercutio are killed.
Loyalty is also a theme of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio is loyal to Romeo because he steps in for Romeo “O calm dishonourable, vile submission
He kills Tybalt in Act 3, scene 1 as Tybalt was the one who called Mercutio. “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” Romeo is very angry that Tybalt has just killed Mercutio and he is willing to die for Mercutio along with killing Tybalt.
Benvolio is loyal towards Romeo as in Act 3, scene 1 he tells the prince what happened “ O noble prince, I discover all The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl; There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, That slew thy Kinsman, brave Mercutio.” Benvolio explains to the prince that Romeo only killed Tybalt because Tybalt killed Mercutio.
Mercutio is loyal to Romeo because in Act 3, scene 1, Mercutio pushes Romeo out of harms way and gets killed. “(Tybalt under Romeo’s arm thrusts Mercutio in.)” Tybalt stabs Mercutio instead of Romeo as Mercutio stops Romeo coming to any harm.
Hate is a main theme in Romeo and Juliet. This is because of the hate that the Montague’s and Capulet’s have for one another which is an ancient family feud. “Peace, peace I hate the word as I hate all Montague’s and”
There are two more types of love in Romeo & Juliet, passionate love and true love. Passionate love is love driven by lust and internal beauty. An example of this is Romeo and Rosaline in Act 1 another example of this is Romeo & Juliet in Act 2.
Then there’s true love. This is unconditional love. An example of this is Romeo & Juliet at the end Act 5 when they die each other.
Act 3 scene 1 is pivotal to the play it is set on the Monday among 5 days. Before act 3 scene 1 the play is a romance and comedy this is because Romeo & Juliet see each other for the first time, this is were the romance begins. Also the play is a comedy because Mercutio is always making jokes and teasing. After Act 3 scene 1 this play is a tragedy, this is because all of the deaths of the characters take place during or after Act 3, scene 1.
We are warned by Tybalt’s threats at the party and Friar Lawrence’s warnings. This prepares the audience for what is soon to come in Act 3 scene 1.
Act 3 scene 1 in opened by Benvolio who talk’s about the mood, atmosphere and weather. “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire: The day is hot, the Capels are aboard, And if we meet we shall not scap a brawl, For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” Shakespeare uses Benvolio to set the scene because in Shakespeare’s time they didn’t have special effects or lighting, Shakespeare had to build up the atmosphere so to do this he used Benvolio to set a tense atmosphere. Shakespeare also uses Benvolio to set the scene as he is the peace maker which creates tension it also prepares audience for the fight which is to come. Benvolio is also the complete opposite of Tybalt.
The prince resolves the problem by exiling Romeo this resolves all the tension between the families because of both murders. The audience would have been on edge thinking that Romeo would die they would then be relieved to see that he is banished. It also leaves them in suspense to see what will now happen to Romeo & Juliet.
In conclusion it is clear that Shakespeare showed class differences by using rhyme, the upper class rhymed in the way they spoke and the lower class didn’t. This is shown in the princes at the end of act 3 “But I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine That you shall all repeat the loss of mine.” This shows the prince is an important character.
