All the tension started in the very beginning of the play, where the Montagues and Capulets had a civil brawl, With the prince issuing both families a warning of death if another brawl came about, as it was the third one they had recently.
The opening to Act 3, Scene 1 shows Benvolio as being a sensible, peace keeping character, who does not want any bother. “I pray thee good Mercutio…Is the mad blood stirring”
When Mercutio says “By my heel I care not” the audience will be surprised to hear it although it does show his daring side, as he is insulting Tybalt and the name of the Capulets.
When Tybalt and Mercutio exchange insults tension builds up slowly, as it seems like a bit of fun to start with, but grown into seriousness when Mercutio takes exception to “Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo” then the tension is high because want to see who will actually begin the fight.
When Romeo enters and Tybalt says “Peace be with you sir, here comes my man” the audience will be sitting in silence to see what Tybalt has to say to the young Montague. “Here comes my man” suggests that Romeo is Tybalt’s servant, but a man of Romeo’s stature should be insulted by this, as he is no less of a man than Tybalt. If anything he is more of a man as he is closer related to one of the families. The audience would expect a response.
Romeo’s response is not the expected one “Tybalt the reason I have to love thee…I see thou knowest me not” The audience will be aware why Romeo has reacted to Tybalt’s insult in that way, but will be wondering whether he is going to reveal about his and Juliet’s marriage.
“O calm, dishonourable vile submission” is Mercutio’s disgust as he is also confused about Romeo’s response and reluctance to fight. The audience can see that Mercutio is getting angry and he stands up for the Montague’s name, but then dies. The audience will be heartbroken at this point.
Romeo finally cracks mentally and expresses his anger to Tybalt and kills him. The audience will now feeling glad that Romeo has done it, but scared to see the outcome of his actions.
When Benvolio tells the prince about the brawl the audience will feel sorry for Benvolio as he has failed to keep the peace, which he hoped to do. He has lost a loved one and now the tension between the two families is at its highest. Then when they learn of Romeo’s banishment they will be shocked and even sadder.
More tension is added to the play when Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio get accidentally informed about a party at the Capulet’s mansion, and decide to go, despite the obvious dangers this has. This is where Romeo meets his love Juliet. This also creates tension, but of a different kind. The tension between the two lovers is romantic, not violent, like most of the tension in the play. This is shown by the sonnet form written as if Romeo and Juliet are talking to each other, which is unusual for a sonnet. “If I profane with my unworthiest hand…Then move not while my prayers effect I take”. This is where they share love’s first kiss.
However, this romantic tension still does not overshadow the underlying hatred that is going on. As prior to the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet, Tybalt is consulting with his uncle about dealing with the gatecrashing Montagues. ‘This by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier boy”. Here, the tension has built up massively as the audience fear yet another brawl may be instigated.
Just as Tybalt is about to defend his families honour by challenging Romeo, Lord Capulet steps in to chat with Tybalt. ‘Why, how now, kinsman, wherefore you storm so?’
They begin to argue about whether they should act upon the Montague’s intrusion, but Lord Capulet is adamant not to upset his guests, “He shall be endured…You’ll make a mutiny among my guests!”
This creates tension within the same family, as Tybalt has now angered his own uncle. But the tension is died down with the meeting of Romeo and Juliet.
To add to this amass of tension, Romeo decides to sneak into the Capulet’s orchid, and stand under Juliet’s balcony and greet her. He may just want to talk, but he may also want something more physical.
Romeo and Juliet both talk in asides, ”But soft, what light through yonder window breaks”.
“Ay me”. Romeo is intrigued to hear from his love Juliet, so rather than climb up her balcony straight away, he stays out of sight and listens to her. ‘Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?’ Finally he talks to Juliet, therefore ending the tiny bit of tension created by him eaves dropping.
They talk romantically for a while, and Juliet warns Romeo of the dangers of him being on the Capulet’s property, ‘The orchid walls are high and hard to climb, and the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here’. This builds up the tension as Romeo may get caught and killed on his sworn enemy’s property.
They continue to talk philosophically and lovingly, until from within Juliet’s bedroom the nurse calls, ‘Madam’, The tension builds yet again as it is increasingly more risky that Romeo is there. Juliet exits her balcony, then returns to consort further with Romeo. She does this a few times before that both finally depart.
At this stage of the play, the tension has basically faded to nothing, then Act 3 Scene 1 begins. Mercutio and Benvolio are walking around Verona, “I pray thee good Mercutio, lets retire; the day is hot, the Capel’s are abroad, and if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, for now, these hot days is the mad blood stirring’. This speech indicates a lot to the audience. Benvolio reminds the audience that the tension is still high between the two households. Mercutio starts to wind up Benvolio and this lightens the mood. Then the Capulets enter “By my head here come the Capulets” “By my heel I care not”. This statement would possibly shock the audience as it is an insult to show the soles of your feet. Therefore Mecutio is being disrespectful. Mecutio and Tybalt begin cavilling until Tybalt says “Thou consort with Romeo”. Mecutio finally takes exception to this and an argument is about to break out, until Romeo enters the scene. The tension is at a very high point now, as Tybalt wants to kill Romeo. “Thou art a villain” Romeo protests to his sworn enemy, then “Tybalt, the reason I have to love thee…I see you knowest me not” Tybalt is confused by Romeos words, and again expresses his hatred for the young Montague. “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw”. Romeo again protests his innocence “I do protest I never injured thee…be satisfied”. This statement is ambiguous as it could mean two things: It could mean that Romeo is being abusive towards Tybalt, or it could mean that he is saying he cannot reveal any more.
The tension has now escalated so much, and Mecutio cannot understand Romeo’s logic. The audience are aware of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage but all the characters are not. This is called dramatic irony. “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission” Mecutio then steps in to defend the Montague’s honour and he and Tybalt begin to fight. Romeo stands between them “Hold Tybalt, good Mecutio” but no avail, as Mecutio is stabbed under Romeo’s arm. The tension almost stops, as the audience would be shocked at this “ask me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man” this will raise the tension yet again as Mecutio has predicted that he will be dead soon.
When he finally dies the audience will almost be in mourning as Mecutio is the favourite character. He is the favourite character because he is confident, amusing and up mostly brave. Then Tybalt enters again “Here comes the furious Tybalt back again” The tension is high yet again “Either thou or I or both must go with him” Now this outburst would shock the audience as Romeo has changed his mind about being peaceful, and wants revenge for his best friends death.
When Tybalt is finally slain by Romeo the audience get a feeling of revenge, but now they realise that Romeo will be in trouble with the prince, so he flees the scene.
Then the prince enters and questions Benvolio in front of lady Capulet, Lord Montague and Lady Montague. He takes the side of Romeo, and makes Tybalt look like the main culprit, which is true, but not fully.
The tension is building yet again as the audience want to hear the prince’s verdict “And for that offence immediately we do exile him hence” At this point the audience would probably be breath taken, as Romeo has Juliet to consider, but he cannot use this as an excuse as the marriage is a secret.
The language in Act 3, Scene 1 is very violent and provocative “Gentlemen, good den, a word with one of you”
“And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something and make it a word and a blow”
Whereas in Act 1, Scene 5 when Romeo and Juliet first meet the language is very informal, forward and very loving with the use of many metaphors and personification. “My lips, to blushing pilgrims ready stand” “For Saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch”. These quotes are when Romeo and Juliet are talking in sonnet form and complimenting each other metaphorically.
In this essay I have been able to show that is was very difficult to stage a play in Shakespearian times, but William Shakespeare managed to overcome the problems. I have also shown how tension has been generated in different scenes and how different uses of language can change the tension of a play, and use of dramatic devices can also do this.
