In what ways does William Shakespeare's presentation of Capulet In Act 3 Scene 5 enhances the effectiveness of Romeo and Juliet

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Amdadur Rahman 10/O Miss Biggs

        

        In what ways does William Shakespeare’s presentation of Capulet

                     In Act 3 Scene 5 enhances the effectiveness of Romeo and Juliet         

        

        There are many ways, in which Shakespeare’s presentation of Capulet in Act 3 scene 5 has enhanced the effectiveness of Romeo and Juliet for the audience. He does this through structure, which speeds up the scene, and through the strong language he uses to reveal the ‘real’ Capulet. Also he involves the historical context about Capulet and the characterisation of him, which makes the audience evaluate him. In the play Rome and Juliet the ‘star-crossed lover’, from the two rival families, the Capulet and the Montague, who are ‘caught-up’ in an ‘ancient grudge’. This ‘breaks to new mutiny’, thought not only their inevitable deaths but also those of others around them. In this scene Romeo and Juliet have consummated their marriage, have now set in motion and unstoppable train of events because no divorce was allowed and Romeo has been banished to Mantua. The audience experience the contrast from gentleness and tranquillity to rage and violence.

        Shakespeare has shaped the scene by developing Juliet’s hopelessness. He does this by contrast. She changes from being hopeful in the beginning, when she says ‘thou we shall meet’, to a hopeless character towards the end. She grows in despair because she has been traumatised by her father, Capulet, and feels disowned by her parents, especially Lady Capulet when she says, ‘Dou as thou wilt, for I have done with thee’. She is completely isolated at the end of the scene and all her hopes have faded ceased to exist leaving her suicidal, ‘If all else fail, myself have power to die’. This would affect the audience by creating empathy with her. The entire structure of the scene is now bringing to a climax the relationship between Juliet and her parents. The action, both in movement and language is accelerating at such a dramatic pace, that the audience cannot afford to be distracted and need to concentrate solely on the drama unfolding before their eyes. Also Shakespeare has stage crafted the pace of this scene swiftly, by making Capulet’s and Lady Capulet’s entry quick. This effect would make the audience tuned in more because it is intense and fast pace.

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        Shakespeare uses a variety of language devices to enhance the effectiveness of Romeo and Juliet. He does this by using punctuation, marks to show sarcasm, for example when Capulet says,’ ‘Proud’ and ‘I thank you’ ‘. These punctuation marks give the impression to the reader that Capulet is being ironic. The lengths of the speeches are generally short in this scene, so it can accelerate the scene. However Capulet’s speeches are always longer than his wife’s, Lady Capulet. Shakespeare used this contrast to show that Capulet has more authority over his wife and has control of power. Capulet says ‘bark, ...

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