Review two scenes, which are particularly moving to prove "For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Authors Avatar

Review two scenes, which are particularly moving to prove “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Matt Elliman

In act 3 scene 1, the turning point of the play occurs; the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, which leads to both of their deaths. In the previous scene Romeo and Juliet were married and Friar Lawrence ironically says, “These violent delights have violent ends.” In act 3 scene 1 there is also talk of violence, which immediately strikes fear into the audience as they know that a fight between the Montagues and the Capulets would cause more hardship for the lovers. The contrast between this and the previous scene causes more pity from the audience who have just witnessed the happy marriage and know from the prologue that the play does not end happily. Since the Montagues “shall not scape a brawl” if they meet with the Capulets in this scene, the audience starts to expect events that will damage Romeo and Juliets’ future happiness.

When Romeo faces Tybalt he is insulted by him but still claims his love for him and his family, here the audience pity Romeo as he is called a “villain” by Tybalt. This shows how even though Romeo shows Tybalt politeness and kindness Tybalt still has anger towards him due to the family feud. Romeo and Juliets’ relationship hopes to challenge this feud and aggression but the audience knows that the feud will not end until they are both dead, “the continuance of their parents’ rage, / which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,” therefore the audience fear that Tybalt will not back away from the fight.

Join now!

After Mercutios’ death there is huge pity felt for Romeo as he has lost one of his best friends in a fight he was trying to prevent, “Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.” Also the audience fear for both of the lovers as Mercutio angrily announces “A plague a both your houses!” And more fear is felt as Romeo says he will take revenge and fight with Tybalt for Mercutios’ death, “Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” The audience knows that if Romeo kills Tybalt he should be killed as well and therefore they fear for ...

This is a preview of the whole essay