This scene also includes the use of foreshadowing and dramatic irony. ‘Methinks I see thee…as one dead in the bottom of a tomb…’ The audience knows from the prologue previously, that both Romeo and Juliet shall die, this is something the characters themselves in the play do not know, and it is this that is called dramatic irony. This line is also foreshadowing as it is leading up to their deaths, hinting as to what will happen.
When Romeo leaves this scene both characters, Romeo and Juliet, have different thoughts, Juliet is pessimistic whereas Romeo is the opposite and very optimistic. ‘I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our times to come.
The atmosphere during this scene is quick to change when nurse runs in to warn Juliet her mother is soon to come. The mood changes from excitement and love, to panic. Juliet’s actions again can reflect this mood. Whilst Romeo was still present her movements should be slow and meaningful, e.g. not being able to let go of his hand or long eye contact, to show she does not want her time with Romeo to end. However as Nurse enters the quick movements and rushing shows the audience the panic she is feeling at the thought of her mother finding out about Romeo.
Juliet’s status, when her mother walks in, changes as she has to turn from a woman and wife, back to Lady Capulet’s 14 year old daughter. This is a lot for a girl to take on in such a short space of time, and so Juliet should become more aware of her actions, and careful what she says, Lady Capulet is assuming her crying is because of the death of her cousin Tybalt. She believes that being married to Paris will raise Juliet’s spirits however this is not what Juliet wants. While talking to Lady Capulet Juliet uses double meanings, she stays true to herself, ‘O, how my heart abhors to hear him named…’ Lady Capulet believes Juliet means that she feels this because of the hate she contains inside her for Romeo when in fact it is the opposite. By using these double meanings and staying true to herself the audience admires her for hiding her feelings. Juliet has changed drastically in this scene has she has had to grow up quickly in order to deal with such a complicated situation.
When Juliet hears about this news I think the best way to act out her reaction is to almost explode. A young girl in this situation will be quick to react without thinking about the consequences. Juliet has gone from dutiful daughter to getting married, and now being married off by her mother. A young girl is likely to explode when she hears the news and this is why I feel it is appropriate if Juliet acts shocked and angry at the suggestion made by her mother. The most suitable way for the actress who plays Juliet to act out this scene is to stand up and almost stand in a position that might threaten Lady Capulet. However when Capulet himself walks in Juliet should quickly be put back in her place and show the fear she feels when he finds out her reaction by hiding behind nurse. This will not only show the audience that maybe Capulet is always a short tempered man but also shows her trust in nurse.
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, which was written about four hundred years ago by William Shakespeare. It was written in a time, which is very different from today. In the time this play was set it was common for teenage girls of fourteen, in this case Juliet, to get married. This was because it would be more likely for them to have children if they were younger and it would ensure that the girls were virgins.
This period of time was also a very patriarchal time, and this is why it is hard for Capulet to take in this news about Juliet disagreeing with the idea of marriage. Capulet is a man who wants to be in charge and have his own way, and for things to work his way. He flips at Juliet’s sudden disobedience as not only has she gone against his wishes, which up until this point she has never done so, but because it would be embarrassing for him as a Lord to have a daughter who does not obey him.
The audience is already aware that Lord Capulet loses his temper quickly as we have seen him before during the play when he loses his temper with Tybalt near the very beginning. Lady Capulet does not have a lot to say in this scene and I think this reflects the fact that Lord Capulet likes to have control and that Lady Capulet may fear him.
When Capulet enters I think he should slam the door in order to show Juliet that he is not pleased and to get back his control. Juliet’s reaction to this should be to back down, and really show the audience both her fear but also to show how she is unsure of what Capulet is going to do next.
In this scene Juliet’s relationship with her parents drastically change. Juliet has always been a girl who obeys her father and is respects him. However she has never been close to her mum, it is a formal relationship as she has mainly been brought up by her nurse. At the beginning of this scene Lady Capulet believes she is doing the right thing and that she can cheer up Juliet. This may be her first effort for a long time to interact with her daughter as a mother and yet it backfires with Juliet’s unexpected reaction. On the other hand Juliet’s relationship with her father turns from close to more distant. ‘Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch...My fingers itch!’ His language becomes harsher towards Juliet and more violent.
The tension has also changed during this scene, at the beginning their was almost a glimmer of hope in Juliet’s mind when she heard her mother had good news to tell her however as soon as she hears this news tension rises and Juliet has the control of the situation until Capulet gets involved and all turns around. The tension is first apparent when Juliet reacts with no control, but this tension is then caused by a change in the situation. This change being Juliet’s feeling of control changing to fear and being belittled by her father.
Juliet’s strongest relationship of all is her relationship with nurse, and yet even this changes through the course of this scene. Nurse tries to protect Juliet and by hiding behind nurse, this can show the audience Juliet’s trust in her, however by the end of the scene this trust is not so apparent. Juliet attempts to turn to her mother when her father leaves, and she turns her away, ‘Talk not to me for I’ll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.’ I think Lady Capulet should say this in a very formal way almost as if it is what is expected by Capulet. Juliet now feels isolated and alone and it is at this point she turns to nurse who she depends on.
‘Well, thou hast comforted me marvelous much.’ This should definitely be said in a sarcastic tone, as Juliet cannot believe that nurse is going against Romeo and agreeing with the idea of Paris.
Overall in this scene the moods and relationships have changed for the worse. After Act 3 Scene 5 nothing goes well for anyone, however the scenes between Romeo and Juliet make it less of a tragedy and more of a love story as it is well known as. This love can only be shown through close physical contact and language in which the audience can connect with the couple and truly believe they are in love.
