With the tragedy of the loss of Mercutio, a much loved man, and Tybalt, this helps the play fit into the tragedy genre leaving this scene as a vitally important one. The play is one of peaks and troughs leaving the audience enthralled in the action and tragedy. The scene fits into the play with so much action in one scene it is an additive to tension in the play. The scene is important as it provides a contrast in mood after such a peaceful almost blissful marriage in Act 2:6 the play now enters into a depressingly tragic spiral.
The contrast from the previous scene is very dramatic as the reader is caught up in the happy feeling that was previously created. This importance is created through a major series of tragic events a change from a romantic atmosphere to one of hate and vengeance. The atmosphere previously in the play is one of comedy and of love which quickly turns into one of revenge, anger and retribution making this a pivotal scene of the play. Mercutio is a comedic character in the play he adds plenty of jokes in this scene
“…. make it a word and a blow.”
But as he dies the play loses a much loved character; it turns almost sour, with things going from bad to worse heralding the deaths of Romeo and Juliet in the climatic scene of Act 5:3
This scene also marks a deepening of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues of which is built up throughout the previous scenes. The Prince warns them about public disturbances in the opening scene of the play. The brawl as it is described is the beginning of the end in the feud. The use of dramatic irony is crucial in the scene to make it an important one, the audience knows of the marriage and understands why Romeo acts as he does towards Tybalt. He hopes to heal the rift through his secret marriage to Juliet.
“And so good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as mine own.”
This arouses fury in Tybalt he does not understand the situation.
This scene reveals a new side to Romeo one of which we have not seen before. Romeo was portrayed previously to us as a love sick teenager. In the early scenes he pines for Rosaline. But when Romeo meets Juliet he is similarly love-struck and forgets Rosaline immediately, becoming obsessed with Juliet. There is a romantic, sensitive edge to his character as seen by his dialogue with Juliet in the Balcony scene.
“… this is but a dream, too flattering-sweet to be substantial.”
The pair is then married secretly by the friar in Act 2:6 and despite the friar’s prophetic warning,
“Violent delights have violent ends,”
Romeo blissfully marries Juliet and enters the fray in Act3:1 determined to make peace with Tybalt. As a result of Tybalt’s murder of Mercutio, Romeo becomes an enraged, violent character.
“This begins the woe that others must end.”
These points amplify the importance of the scene with Romeo’s character changing for the worse. Romeo believes that due to him spending so much time with Juliet he has become weak.
“O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate,”
Perhaps if he had stayed a weak man the tragedy of the story might have been avoided.
Benvolio is important in this scene as a narrator to the Prince and the two great families.
“O noble Prince, I can discover all…”
Benvolio tries to keep the peace but fails this perhaps the most fatal failure of the play. Benvolio constantly tries to avoid a fray but strong willed Mercutio seems un-afraid and fiery Tybalt is impervious to his overtures.
“Reason coldly of your grievances”
“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire…the Capels are abroad,”
Benvolio is aware of the Prince’s view on the feud, he tries to restrain them. He is portrayed as peace loving an intuitive young man. Benvolio adds importance to the scene as a contrast in character from the fiery Tybalt, while Benvolio tries to cool all situations down Tybalt always tries to incense all circumstances.
“Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here,”
The scene is the transformation from a light hearted love story, into a dark tragedy the comedy is lost with the death of Mercutio, and the darkness is brought about with the change in Romeo. This tragic story is not stereotypical of a Shakespeare play, as there are no sub plots, none seem to be needed as a story as moving as this is entertaining and thought provoking enough in a simple form. Act3:1 such an important scene with so much action, twists, changes and provides a major turning point in the play. The Prince’s words
“And for that offence we do exile him hence…I will be deaf to pleading and excuses.” These words seem so fair and understanding yet powerful and strong. In my view this scene is the most important scene in the play it starts the ball rolling until we reach the death of both Romeo and Juliet, finally relieving the tension of the families, ending the feud but at what cost.
By Michael Gell
