During the previous fight scene, a street brawl involving both houses occurs and unlike the fight in Act 3 Scene 1, this fight involves more then one member of each house. Because the clash in Act 3 Scene 1 only occupies one member of each house, it becomes tenser, as all eyes are on both men, as it is a one on one battle. In addition, the day is described as “hot” which would indicate a fiery a mood. Although Act 3 Scene 1 ends in tragedy, it is a much more humorous scene then most others, as it contains many insults and comments that would have been found as comical during the Shakespearian times, and is still appealing now. For instance “Do you bite your thumb at me Sir?” and “A dog of the Montague house”
Benvolio states that “the day is hot,” which is very appropriate as it describes both the setting and mood of the scene. Hot symbolises anger and rage, which hints to the audience that something may heat up. In addition, the smartest of the audience will realise that after every peak of happiness i.e. the marriage, an event is needed to bring the mood back down to its normal level.
Things begin to develop when Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt and neutral Mercutio provokes Tybalt to fight him instead. He uses taunts like “And but one word with one of us? Why not couple it and make it a word and a blow” which during Shakespearean times would have been considered dishonourable, and therefore the culprit must pay. Tybalt still refuses to fight Mercutio and once more returns to challenge Romeo – “This shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw!” Again, the dramatic irony means that we know why Romeo does not want to fight, however this leaves Tybalt in the dark. This irony pushes the tension to its limits, and makes this scene one of the most memorable in the entire play.
Romeo thinking only of the damage he would do to Juliet backs away from the challenge once more. This angers Mercutio, as although he is not part of any house, he feels that it is dishonourable to decline a challenge and thus challenges Tybalt in place of Romeo. Tybalt accepts and Mercutio and he fight. However, Romeo tries to stop the fight, again thinking of what it might do to Juliet, but while he is protecting Mercutio, Tybalt slyly thrusts his blade into Mercutio. Tybalt instantly flees, leaving the fatally wounded Mercutio to stumble around and eventually collapse in a crumpled heap on the floor. Mercutio, the jester, hides the fact that he is fatally wounded, as he says “Ay, ay tis just a scratch”. This again adds to the tension, as the audience are uncertain as to whether he is wounded, or just jesting. However, he changes his language – “A plague on both your houses!” which indicates that not all is right. When he collapses for the final time, the unfolding of the tragedies begins. It is almost as if humour itself has been removed from the play.
With Mercutio dead, Romeo’s love for Juliet becomes obscured by his hatred for Tybalt. This goes to show how quickly love can turn to hate, when tragedies unfold. This change of heart from Romeo reflects how the play itself is pivoting. It is changing from something that started out as a bit of fun, but ends in heartbreak.
Romeo knew that he did not have to fight Tybalt – “This day's black fate on more days doth depend, this but begins the woe others must end” yet when he kills a close friend, honour is brought back into the equation – “Staying for thine (Mercutio) to keep him company, either thou or I or both must go with him”
Act 3 Scene 1 is the turning point of Romeo and Juliet. This scene turns the play as a whole from a lighthearted comedy to a tragedy, as it is this scene that decides each characters fate, and how it shall unravel. This scene can portray Romeo and Juliet – it starts happily yet ends with two deaths, as does the play itself. Mercutio’s curse comes true “A plague on both your houses”, and this – the pivotal scene in the play marks the end of all happiness for Romeo and for Juliet9.
