One of the techniques Shakespeare uses is foreshadowing; he uses this to give hints about the future, allowing the audience to predict the outcome. In act 1 scene 5 Tybalt is on one side of the stage steaming away, while Romeo is in another muttering his feelings for Juliet, ‘…Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.' This alarms the audiences as it reminds them of the prologue, and how Juliet is destined to die. Yet it engages their attention as they are on the edge of their seat craving answers.
Again in act 1 scene 5, Shakespeare repeats the process. By this point Romeo and Juliet have shared a passionate kiss, and Romeo is gone without further conversation. “If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed.” Again this engages the audience, sparking powerful and intense questions such as ‘when’ and ‘how’; creating a fearful, if not bloody prospect in the audiences' imagination.
Act 3 scenes 1 is quite similar. The scene starts with cocky Mercutio winding up Benevolio. Benevolio being the voice of reason is frightened, however Mercutio isn’t giving up. Shakespeare deliberately uses their conversation to create tension in the atmosphere, and by now the audience are drawn in as they know a fight is approaching. “And I were so apt to quarrel as thou art…for an hour and a quarter” the audience are already prepared for a battle, and Benevolio’s lines foreshadow and indicate death which thrills the audience yet strikes them because there is a huge contrast between this and the previous marriage scene. They are fascinated and left wondering how fate will take first victim.
Act 3 scene 1 ends with the prince’s speech, as he foreshadows the upcoming death of Romeo. “When he’s found the hour is his last”, the prince is a strong and powerful character, and his words will automatically engage the audience’s attention, as they are made out to be very important. That line will excite the audience, as the time of death is revealed, yet the urge of knowing ‘how’ still remains. Thrilled, they watch and wait to satisfy their need as the tension keeps building, leading to the climax of the play.
Shakespeare uses the entrances and exits of characters as a dramatic device to promote a variety of reactions within the audience; sometimes anxiety, other times fear. Words have been spoken, a kiss has been shared; Romeo and Juliet, all alone, completely oblivious to the rest of the world… And at that instant, the bubble is burst. “Madam your mother craves a word with you.” Drama was building up and the audience felt dragged in and romantic, however Shakespeare uses the nurse’s entrance to hook the audience’s attention and remind them of the surrounding. He does that by mentioning Juliet’s mother, reminding them that they are enemies, and their love will cost their lives.
Meanwhile Tybalt’s rage can only multiply as he watches Romeo enjoying himself. He turns to Capulet, and here Shakespeare creates an expectation from the audience that Capulet will be angered and a fight will be approaching. However when this isn’t the case, enraged Tybalt dramatically leaves, leaving behind a thrilling promises for the audience, gripping their full attention. “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to the bitt’rest gall.'
Shakespeare again, uses this technique in act 3 scenes 1, however this time to welcome the entrance of Tybalt. The scene begins with Mercutio and frightened Benevolio. “The day is hot, the Capulets abroad; if we meet we shall no ‘scape a brawl,” Shakespeare creates that suspense and uneasiness in the air, before Tybalt’s arrival deliberately, preparing the audience for a fight. Suddenly Tybalt arrives, and putting hot headed Tybalt and cocky Mercutio together a fight is bound to spark, and the audience are further captivated and seek more.
Minuets past and the great Mercutio is down and injured. His rage shows past his comical nature as he repeatedly curses both Montagues, and Capulets. “A plague a’ both your houses,” His anger unsettles the audience and grabs their attention, as he twists and tangles emotions and leaves in a dramatic manner.
To further dramatise the play, Shakespeare uses a sonnet to form Romeo and Juliet’s first lines to each other, showing the importance of their dialogue. Sonnets were the typical love poetry in Shakespearean times, so it is justified why Shakespeare decided to use them. “To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss… hand too much…devotion shows in this.” The sonnet in act 1 scene 5 is split between both Romeo and Juliet and it shows their love for each other and makes the audience feel romantic.
Shakespeare uses a sophisticated type of language that metaphorically describes and keeps the audience interested; he deliberately uses religious language and metaphorically describes Romeo and Juliet’s kiss to “…holy palmers kiss.” He did this because in the Elizabethan period religion played a major role and by using this religious language, Shakespeare automatically grabs the audience’s attention.
Also when Romeo and Juliet kiss, Shakespeare uses a very densely descriptive language. At the time, touching her would be disrespectful and to kiss her would be a lot worse. So he uses this religious language to make him seem respectful; “My lips two blushing pilgrims” and to make their kiss as innocent and sacred as pilgrims. Juliet compares their kiss to palm to palm of pray, “and palm to palm is holy palmers kiss.” Metaphorically saying it is as important as pray which draws and captivates the audience’s attention. Romeo’s line, “Thus from my lips by thine my sin is purged.” Again, the kiss is described as pray, and Romeo says his prayers have been answered. The whole concept of using a religious language and a sonnet is to emphasise the importance of their words, and the importance of their kiss making it sacred, and making this scene memorable.
The type of language Shakespeare uses sometimes varies, depending on the social status of the character. In the finale of act 3 scene 1 Shakespeare uses a strong and powerful type of language to capture the attention of the audience, and he does this by using the strongest and most commanding character in the play; the prince. The prince is Shakespeare’s embodiment of authority, an influential yet powerful character which the people of Verona respect and obey. He shows his power by giving out disciplinary punishments such as Romeo’s banishment, and other threats towards the feuding families; and also Shakespeare makes him speak in rhyming couplets to show the importance of his words. “I will be deaf to pleading and excuses, nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.”
In his final speech he is enraged, not only because his orders were disobeyed but also because he had lost a relative due to their fighting. “I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine, that you shall repent the loss of mine.” Shakespeare deliberately relates Mercutio to the prince so this way the audience will see just how provoked and furious he is. He’s rage amuses the audience and Shakespeare makes sure their attention is fully hooked. He also promises that someone will pay for the recent happenings: “I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine.” which excites the audience as they ache to know who.
Act 1 scene 5 and act 3 scene 1 are the two turning points, making them the most important scenes in the play. Certain events in these scenes are the events that lead to the catastrophic ending. Mercutio and Tybalt’s deaths were due to Tybalt’s realisation of Romeo at the Capulet ball, which then lead on to Romeo’s banishment from Verona.
Shakespeare makes these scenes entertaining and enjoyable for the audience by using various techniques and devices. One of the most effective devices is finding the correct balance; though hate overpowers love, Shakespeare includes many themes to satisfy every individual in the audience. He builds up tension, and creates hope though the audience are well aware that the characters have no alternative destiny. This way he plays with the audience’s emotions, right from the beginning to the very end.
I personally think the play as a whole is very well thought out and skilfully written; and as for the two scenes, I believe they have been cleverly manufactured to entertain, continuously holding the audience's full attention.
