How does Shakespeare create sympathy for Romeo in Act 3?
William Shakespeare was born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon and he is the most famous playwright of all time. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written late in the 16th century and it is a tale of two lovers who have to keep their relationship a secret because their families hate each other. As a result of the families hate for each other the play ends in tragedy.
Throughout Act 3 Shakespeare creates a lot of sympathy for Romeo. Romeo gains a lot of sympathy in Scene 1 as he watches an argument between his friend, Mercutio, and Juliet’s brother, Tybalt, unfold. They and other members of the Montague family are discussing the prospect of a quarrel with the Capulets. Benvolio, another friend of the Montague family, says ‘I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire: The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl; For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.’ He is saying that if they should see any of the Montages there’s more than likely going to be a brawl. Tybalt then enters the scene and he is ready for a fight. Even though everyone wants to fight Romeo doesn’t because Tybalt is Juliet’s brother and to fight him could make Juliet unhappy. Tybalt and Mercutio begin to get frustrated at Romeos attempt to avoid a fight. Eventually Tybalt challenges him to a fight. He says ‘Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries. That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.’ Shakespeare creates sympathy for Romeo as the audience recognise that Romeo is in a difficult situation as he doesn’t want to fight because he has just secretly married into the Capulet family, but he still has a duty as a Montague to fight the Capulets. Romeos response to Tybalts challenge is ‘I do protest, I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise.’ He is refusing to fight Tybalt and this frustrates his friend, Mercutio, who says ‘O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!’ then draws towards Tybalt. Romeo now senses a fight between these two is inevitable and he tries to stop it. Shakespeare creates a lot of sympathy for Romeo as he can’t stop the fight breaking out between his best friends and his wife’s brother. Just after Tybalt draws his sword Romeo even says ‘Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.’ This is a last effort to stop the two fighting. His efforts go to waste and Tybalt stabs Mercutio and kills him. As Mercutio is dying he exclaims ‘A plague o' both your houses!’. This makes Romeo very distressed because Mercutio has just partly blamed Romeo for his death. This makes Romeo realise that his love for Juliet has made him soft and he now seeks revenge. He kills Tybalt as he acts on impulse. Benvolio tells the whole story to the Prince who immediately exiles Romeo. Throughout the scene Romeo gains a lot of sympathy as he tries to avoid a confrontation but at the same time he has to resist the urge to fight.
