How successful do you think Shakespeare has been at developing relationships and dramatic effect in act 3 scene 5? How do you think a modern audiences response would differ from a Shakespeare one?

Shakespeare has used structure by varying the length of speech in act 3 scene 5 to highlight status and dominance within the characters. For example, Once Capulet enters, at the climax length of his speech; his lines come from176 to 195, occupying the largest amount of lines in a single speech throughout the scene, compiled with other larges speeches throughout. This use of elongated speech evident in Capulet’s character creates dominance over the script, and as he speaks the most by a large amount throughout the scene in contrast to the small allocated amounts of speech held by the female characters it draw backs to the idea of gender superiority. By verbally dominating the argument it establishes Capulet’s authority as head of the house, and head of the conversation by having the most to say whilst overpowering in his eyes, his female inferiors. Relating to male superiority in Shakespearian society, as women were perceived to only speak once spoken too, and by Juliet defying that stereotype and answering back Capulet responds in an overpowering elongated speech. As his speeches progresses Juliet’s input & defiance weakens and her character breaks down slowly into obedience. As at first she is polite but defiant in her will to decline the marriage, such as in the line ‘proud can I never be of what I hate’, but as Capulet’s speeches progress she is subjected to pleading and begging for her fathers approval of her decision, for example in the line ‘Good father, I beseech you on my knees’ giving Capulet even more control as Juliet spirit has been broken to an extent where she is respectively, verbally begging for her fathers mercy, putting Capulet in a dominant position. This is an effective structural device as it gives the audience a glimpse into the domestic hierarchy, as just by extending a speech it shows that not only Capulet authenticates his authority with violent language, that by extending his arguments to a point where any other character can’t get a word in it relates to common real-life arguments, as the more dominant person automatically speaks more, whereas the less authoritive person backs down. This creates a relative link from the audience to the characters, creating a feel of empathy and greater understanding of the relationship between Capulet and Juliet.  

Dramatic irony is another key language technique evident in act 3 scene 5, its presence is an active device of giving the spectator an item of information that at least one of the characters in the narrative is unaware of, thus of placing the spectator a step ahead of at least one of the characters. For example, upon Capulet’s entrance into act 3 scene 5, Juliet is crying, the audience knows this is because of Romeos tearful departure moments before. But as Capulet & Lady Capulet are unaware of their relationship, He assumes Juliet’s anguish is caused by Tybalts death. Capulet’s assumption is evident in the line ‘How now, a conduit, girl? What, still in tears? , as he asks ‘still in tears?’ he refers to earlier, as she would have been crying in grief of her cousin. But as Romeo has just departed and she is unsure of their future, she is in tears through that, known by the audience, but not by some characters. The audience would watch impotently as fate takes its course throughout the scene, and would find themselves divided between the desire to warn, and the sense that what is to come is inevitable. And through that become more drawn into the play, intrigued by a tense atmosphere and engaged in the situation, as they know more than some characters. This works as a successful dramatic language technique as the knowledge of the audience in contrast to some central characters in the play is more developed, and so this creates tension between all areas of people situated there, the audience, the characters knowledgeable of Romeo’s and Juliet’s relationship, and those un-knowledgeable. This is because the audience’s involvement is unlimited and so with their engagement, knowledge and sense of inevitability they are held onto what happens next, the tension between characters and gather their own conclusions and opinions to the future beyond the present scene, therefore creating this dramatic effect Shakespeare was able to entice the audience in to a fuller extent.

Juliet’s Relationship with her mother, Lady Capulet, affiliates with Juliet’s and her Fathers, Capulet, in a sense of circumstantial function. In Act 3 Scene 5 Lady Capulet comforts Juliet, without the knowledge of the meaning of her dismay but once brushed aside and presents Juliet with her arranged marriage, speaking in empathising language, sweet talking her somewhat for her ulterior motive. For example before presenting the arranged marriage Lady Capulet offers her condolence and comforts Juliet, for example ‘ some grief shows much of love’ this translates to basically saying, Juliet’s grief shows she loved Tybalt greatly, so by Lady Capulet simulating compassion in her motherly role it shows a sensitive side, although this could be argued as her further request and declaration does involve Juliet’s will, and so by somewhat sweet talking her it is furtherly ensuring Juliet’s accordance to her arranged marriage.