In Act 3.1 Tybalt challenges Romeo but Romeo refuses 'the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting villain am I none.' The reason that Romeo is not fighting Tybalt is because he is Juliet's cousin and soon will be his cousin in-law. Romeo feels that Juliet has weakened his courage 'Thy beauty hath made the effeminate, and in my temper softened valour's steel!' Juliet has weakened Romeos bravery because of his love for her.
We find that Romeo's reaction changes when Mercutio is killed 'My very friend hath got this mortal hurt in my behalf; my reputation stained' his reaction changes and and starts blaming himself. Romeo's character starts getting more serious since his best friend is killed right in front of him.
Then is resentful to Tybalt insults and vows to kill him 'either thou or I or both must go with him.'
Mercutio is sarcastic 'alas poor Romeo he is already dead' Mercutio says that Romeo is dead because he is in love with Juliet and is blinded by love. He also shows stubbornness 'by my heel I care not' this indicates that he doesn't care about much.
Mercutio is also brave 'I will not budge for no man's pleasure' This shows that Mercutio is stubborn and he will no move unless he is made. He is also carefree 'true, talk of dream' Mercutio is carefree and doesn't seem to be bothered. Mercutio is also witty 'if love be blind it cannot hit the mark' Mercutio twists his words.
Act 2.4 prepares us for the action in act 3.1 because Mercutio jokes with Benvolio about Tybalts's challenge to Romeo 'any man that can write can answer a letter' any man that sends a challenge can answer one. When Tybalt sends the challenge we know the fight is going to happen soon. Mercutio responds comically and doesn't take the letter seriously and makes fun of Tybalt when he fights. 'He fights as you sing prick song' Mercutio makes and elaborates about music and sword fencing.
In Act 3.1 Mercutio is annoyed with Romeo 'o calm. Dishonourable, vile submission' Mercutio is angered by Romeo's refusal to fight and challenges Tybalt.
When Mercutio is wounded he curses Montagues and Capulets alike 'a plague a' both your houses' he is cursing an 'ancient grudge' between the family since it's been going on for so long and is the death of him.
Mercutio's death has an impact on the audience because he is fighting Tybalt instead of Romeo and gets killed after the climax is built and is not expected.
From previous scenes we learn that Tybalt's character is hot headed 'Tis he the villain Romeo' Tybalt recognises Romeo's voice at the party and gets angry quickly. We also learn that he hates the Montagues and cant stand them. 'Makes my flesh tremble' He is disgusted by Romeo's presence at the party.
In Act 1.5 Tybalt is shown as proud 'why tis a shame' this shows us that he is ashamed that a Montague is at their party and not doing anything about it.
In Act 1.5 Tybalt has shown that he looks for fights 'fetch me my rapier boy' Tybalt sees Romeo and ask for his sword to start a fight with Romeo. But then is stop by Capulet and doesn't respond well and seems revengeful when he says 'Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall.' This quote prepares us for Act 3.1 because we know something bad is going to happen.
In Act 3.1 Tybalt is shown as brave 'gentlemen gooden a word with one of you'. Tybalt approaches Benvolio and Mercutio and asks them for a word and doesn't seem bothered.
In Act 3.1 Tybalt's character develops by the way the way he greets Romeo. 'No better term than this thou art a villain.
Mercutio taunts Tybalt but Tybalt ignores his insults 'Mercutio thou consortest with Romeo' Tybalt ignores Mercutio because he is seeking Romeo. Tybalt's tone of voice is calm through this scene and determined and proud that he is a Capulet.
Tybalt keeps getting provoked to fight by Romeo's refusal to accept Tybalt's challenge. 'Boy this shall not excuse the injuries, That thou hast done me therefore turn and draw' Tybalt gets angry and tells Romeo to fight and accept his challenge.
When Mercutio challenges Tybalt, Mercutio draws first and Tybalt replies 'what wouldst thou have with me? Knowing that Mercutio challenges him.
When Tybalt kills Mercutio Romeo gets angry and kills Tybalt for killing his best friend.
The audience are quite shocked with Tybalt's death because Mercutio is already dead and now Tybalt. In Act 1.5 Tybalt said 'now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall' which prepares us for Act 3.1 we got the hint that something bad was going to happen and it did.
In the beginning of Act 3.1 Benvolio prepares us for the coming action by trying to stop the fight before it starts 'The day is hot, the capels are abroad and if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl' Benvolio is trying to say that the Capulets are near by and if a fight starts they cant escape it.
Benvolio also tells us that 'these hot days is the mad blood stirring' the day is already hot and the Capulets will be hot and bothered.
Because of this A tense atmosphere is created here. The audience begin to feel that something bad is going to happen.
Through out the Benvolio is shown as a peacekeeper and sensible 'we talk here in the public haunt of men: either withdraw into some private place.' This shows that Benvolio is trying to stop the fight and doesn't want it to be public.
Benvolio is shown as a loyal friend 'Romeo, away be gone! The citizens are up and Tybalt's slain' when Romeo kills Tybalt, Benvolio tells him to run away.
In Act 1.1 we see that the Prince is angry and exasperated as he stops the fight 'throw your mistempered weapons to the ground , and hear the sentence of your moved prince.' This tells us that the Prince is angered and has been moved by this 'ancient grudge' between the Montagues and Capulets.
In Act 3.1 we see that the Prince has authority and power as he enters the scene 'where are the vile beginners of this fray?' The Prince comes in with authority and power asking Benvolio what happened.
At the end the scene the characters present are Lady Capulet, Montague, Benvolio and Prince. Tension is built up at the end of the scene because the Benvolio gives his story and the Prince gives Romeo a sentence.
Shakespeare choose to have two deaths simultaneously in one scene because effect is created here and tension is built up as audience wait in anticipation and
2 deaths = more dramatic.
Shakespeare uses language and action to develop characters. Firstly when Romeo is in love with Rosaline and uses oxymoron's to say how he feels.
And poetic devices when he is in love with Juliet. Romeo's character changes from scene to scene. At the beginning Romeo used to lock him self in his room but through out the scenes he changes and comes out being more open.
Secondly Mercutio is funny through out the scence but goes serious at Act 3.1 and the second he gets wounded. His character develops in that scene.
Thirdly Benvolio is the peacemaker through the book but in Act 3.1 when Benvolio is giving his speech that is his last scene and through out the play all the peace is gone with him.
The Princes character represents the law and has power over other characters. Shakespeare also builds up tension at different points of the play which me the audience want to know what is going to happen next.
