Elizabethan audiences believed strongly in the existence of fate and the influence of the stars in their lives, therefore it increased the audiences sympathy and understanding of Romeo, who is constantly referring to the way in which fate is intervening in his life.
“I fear too early for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars”
The events that take place in Act 3 Scene 1 are extremely important as the affect the rest of the play. For example Romeo’s banishment leads to a number of events that ultimately lead up to the death of him and Juliet.
The violent deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio also change the tone of the play from this point onwards. This a contrast that makes the scene stand out. This is a crisis because the funniest character has been killed. This is symbolic of the lighter side of the play coming to an end. The mood gets melodramatic. This is when short scenes amongst a long one change the mood. Things seem to happen faster and more exciting to watch.
Shakespeare uses different techniques to create mood and atmosphere at the start of this scene. The mood is not just death and destruction all the way through, it is easier for the audience to show affection for the characters if they can see them in a lighter mood first. The atmosphere of the play is really important, it helps the audience suspend their disbelief. Language is used to create atmosphere and sometimes what the characters say help to set the scene. The poetic language in the balcony scene helps to create a romantic atmosphere and convince the audience that it is true love.
“My bounty is as …the sea, my love as deep; … both are infinite.”
The death fixated language and imagery Juliet takes before taking the potion creates a sinister atmosphere.
“Where bloody Tybalt…lies festering in his shroud…”
In Act 3 Scene 1 Shakespeare includes plenty of entertaining language as wordplay and puns to amuse the audience.
“What, dost thou make us minstrels”
The highlighted differences between Romeo and Tybalt are manifested in the scene that provides a pivot for the play.
“Thou art a villain…Villain I am none”
“…turn and draw…put thy rapier down”
The way Shakespeare contrasts the moods in the play makes them emphasise the balance between love and hate. Greatly exaggerated descriptions are used in Act 3 Scene 1
“Fire-eyed fury”
“ O calm, dishonourable, vile submission”
The scene links to the previous events in the play for example the feud between the families, previous public brawls and the Prince’s warning. Shakespeare puts a fight in the start of the play in order for the audience to see how violent the feud is. This is made more effective because it took place at a public site. The Prince warns the Capulet’s and the Montague’s and promises to act on his authority in justice.
“ If you disrupt this peace your lives shall forfeit”
The Prince’s name, Escaleas meaning scales which is a balance showing justice. Therefore his name reflects what he does.
The contrast between light and dark, fate and free will, love and hate, death and life, appearance and reality and public and private lives. Plays a huge role in this scene and the entire play.
The use and effects of dramatic irony within this scene is when Romeo does not fight Tybalt, the audience know that he is married to Juliet and that makes him a relative.
“But I can’t fight Juliet’s cousin”
The conflict between the Montague family and Capulet family has been there since for an unknown period and has an unknown origin. Romeo does not want to be involved with the feud so he has isolated himself. The parents have let their differences spill over to their children.
Benvolio and Mercutio were discussing the matter that there seemed to be a number of the Capulet family members about. Tybalt suddenly appears demanding to know where Romeo is.
“Mercutio, thou consort with Romeo”
When Romeo arrives fresh from his wedding.
“ I do protest I never injured thee…be satisfied”
they add drama?
The most dramatic exit involves Mercutio’s death. Romeo reminds Mercutio and Tybalt of the Prince’s warnings. When Tybalt stabs Mercutio it is an appropriate exit for him
“ A plague ‘both your houses! They have made worms ‘meat of me”
Romeo uses hyperbole to exaggerate his current behaviour and blames Juliet’s affections for making him soft. This is shown in his soliloquy.
Benvolio returns and tells Romeo that Mercutio is dead.
“O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio’s dead!
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
which too untimely here did scorn the earth.”
Romeo is outraged: "This day's black fate on more days doth depend;/ This but begins the woe others must end."
The purpose of Benevolio’s character is a peacemaker; he does not take sides and is the accurate character to be narrator. Benvolio is Romeo’s cousin, and a good friend. He tries to do the right, convincing his friends to ‘retire’ and stay away from a brawl. Benvolio always avoids conflicts where “the mad blood” stirs. He helps Romeo escape because they all know the consequences.
“Romeo, away, be gone!
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain
Stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death,
If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away!”
Finally Benvolio gives an account of events to the Prince, who banishes Romeo. Escalus, the Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from Verona threatening death should he ever return. Juliet learns of Romeo killing Tybalt and despite being torn between her loyalty for her family and Romeo, mourns her husband Romeo's banishment.
Shakespeare leaves the audience in a little bit of doubt it going to be a tragedy but he still keeps some questions open about what is going to happen. For example it was dangerous for Romeo and Juliet to meet in public. That is why the nurse had to be their messenger. On the other hand Juliet’s parents have arrange her to marry Paris.
“ But now my lord…my suit”
The repetition of the phrase “a plague on both your house” is showing that the families will suffer due to Mercutio’s revenge on both the Montague and Capulet families. This heightens the tension that the play is almost over.
There are a few other ways Shakespeare creates drama in Act 3 Scene 1. One of them is the characters use language:
“ We talk here in public haunt men. Either withdraw unto some private place, or reason coldly of your grievances, else depart. Here all eyes on us”
The character’s actions and use of language crease tension and drama because their behaviour.
The theme of fate has a big effect of the dramatic impact of Act 3 Scene 1.
“Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting.”
The irony is that Romeo shows his love for Mercutio through fighting Tybalt; when earlier it was his love for Juliet that stopped him fighting and made him intervene in the fight, which led to Mercutio’s death.
In conclusion this scene shows the audience events leading up to the real tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, so it bridges the gap between the audience and the characters finally begin to catch up with the knowledge of the doom to follow and the extreme action changes the course of events and involves the reader as well as it gets their attention. In Act 3 Scene 1 events accelerate towards tragedy, the situation feels increasing desperate. The mood shifts constantly from comic to rage to despair. Each change in emotion is coupled by an extreme action or confrontation. The audience is drawn in deeply by the awful logic of events as it all fits in. the short time frame in which everything happens, this increases dramatic tension.
