“For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring”
With both families already engaged in an intense feud, the temperature plays a vital role in making the characters more agitated, therefore making each individual more liable to start a brawl. The words “mad blood stirring” suggests that the blood pressure of the characters had increased; the reader associates high blood pressure with higher levels of stress, and will finally result in characters becoming irritated to the point where they will start a brawl.
The scene is made more dramatic from a variety of contrasting characters that are involved. We can see from a variety of characters that there is a range of very different personalities. The contrast in personalities creates a tense atmosphere because they are more likely to disagree with each other because each character may believe in different views.
It is evident that Benvolio is the peacekeeper of the characters form the line,
“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire:”
The reader is already aware that Benvolio is trying to prevent a conflict because this is how his character has been portrayed in previous scenes. In his attempt to convince Mercutio to go indoors, Benvolio uses the word “prey” this word puts across that Benvolio is pleading to Mercutio to go indoors. After using this sincere request Benvolio refers to Mercutio as “good”, in complimenting Mercutio, Benvolio hopes he will listen. We find Benvolio as a very calm character that aims to maintain control when situations get out of hand. Ironically, on the other hand, we find Mercutio’s character rather arrogant and easily driven into a fight. Mercutio’s character is shown to turn the blame onto everybody else, this is apparent from,
“Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of a
Tavern, claps me his sword upon the table, and says ‘God send me no need of thee!’; and by operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.”
Mercutio is explaining that Benvolio is the aggressive character and that he will start a brawl out of nothing. Mercutio ignores Benvolio’s advice and proceeds as normal. The words “draws him on the drawer” is a pun and shows that Mercutio’s character is likely to joke, the reader and characters refer to Mercutio as not to be taken seriously. There is already a contrast present between these two characters before any major conflicts develop and this creates tension because the reader knows that there is a diminutive argument already taking place. After Benvolio and Mercutio have finished quarrelling, we find that Tybalt and the Capulets enter. We find that the entrance of the Capulets rather ironic because Benvolio and Mercutio have just finished quarrelling and their emotions are heightened and if Mercutio would have listened to Benvolio they would not have been confronted by the Capulets. From this point in the scene the reader is left with feelings of anxiety because the reader knows with hot temperatures, heightened emotions and with the two families present on stage there is a chance of potential conflict and this creates a dramatic scene.
Before the Capulets approach Benvolio and Mercutio, it is evident that there is already a tense atmosphere. As Tybalt confronts Mercutio the audience is already aware of the ancient feud and how the characters will react to each other. It is apparent that Tybalt’s character is rather sarcastic and tries to goad characters into a fight. This is evident from the line,
“Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo”
The word “consortest” is a pun and can be linked to someone’s spouse or it can mean to associate with another person. We find, rather ironically that Mercutio takes this as an insult and then left to respond with ferocity and anger towards Tybalt. We see from then on, Mercutio and Tybalt exchange insults and eventually provoke each other into a fight. The second quarrel between Mercutio and Tybalt in this scene contrasts with the first quarrel between Benvolio and Mercutio, because in the second set of exchanges there are insults used towards both Tybalt and Mercutio. The atmosphere has become a lot more intense because by the characters using insults and taunting each other they have heightened each other’s emotions. It is ironic that a brawl should take place between these characters because with the taunting, temperature and ancient feud characters are more liable for a fight. The theme of fate is highlighted and portrays to the audience that after a dramatic build up in tension and with character’s background, a conflict was inevitable.
There are elements of mixed loyalties that are apparent in the scene. When Mercutio is killed, Romeo feels guilty and ashamed and this leads to him become more agitated and likely to take his anger out on another character.
After the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, the reader and characters think that Mercutio is joking when he is hurt. The reader and characters are lead to believe that Mercutio is joking through his character and the exclamations he makes whilst he is dying.
“You shall find me a grave man”
The audience responds to Mercutio, in thinking that he is joking because this is how his character has been portrayed previously in the play. When the audience realizes that Mercutio is not joking and is being serious, the tension is raised because of the contrast in how Mercutio is acting. This contrast is emphasized by the words, “grave man”. The word “grave” is a pun and can be related to either, a place for burying a dead body or something that is serious or critical. The use of this word shows that Mercutio is trying to stress to both characters and the reader the seriousness of the matter. The death of Mercutio brings tension to the scene because the reader knows that certain characters will respond with more anger.
During the scene there are a number of oaths used towards different characters. The use of oaths creates a dramatic atmosphere, because oaths tend to be used when they are elevated levels of stress. We see the use of the word “villain” towards Romeo, in the line,
“No better term than this: thou art a villain”
We can see Tybalt’s anger and frustration through this phrase. The word “villain” refers to an evil and sinister person that is different from a normal person and is normally taken as a severe insult. Romeo responds in a different manner. This contrast in the characters moods creates tension in the scene, because one character is more likely to start a fight. Later on in the scene, Tybalt again is using oaths towards Romeo.
“Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here”
Again the use of an oath creates tension and makes characters more liable to start a conflict. The word “wretched” shows that Tybalt thinks Romeo is pathetic and pitiable and provokes Romeo into retaliating with anger. We find Romeo’s character enter, as calm and respectful but as the scene progresses the use of oaths and other elements changes his character into very aggressive. The contrast in Romeo’s personality creates a dramatic scene.
In the course of the scene, there are a number of insults used. When an insult is used, it shows that to the reader that the giver of the insult has no respect for the receiver, who may become irritated from being insulted. This can add to the chance of a potential feud. We see Tybalt refer to Romeo as a “Boy”,
“Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries”
The word “boy” can be looked upon as a young servant and can also be associated with an immature young man. This shows that Tybalt has no respect for Romeo and will insult Romeo in order to provoke him into a brawl. The effect on Romeo that he does not respond with anger, however he may become slightly aggravated and there is a more likely chance he will fight. Another insult used is after Mercutio has been stabbed. He exclaims,
“A plague a’ both houses!”
The words “both houses” emphasizes to the reader the conflict between the two rivaling families, because Mercutio is highlighting that both families are to blame for his death. To insult both of the families Mercutio uses the word “plague”, the word plague is a threatening curse, which can be associated with many deaths and killings. This shows Mercutio’s fury towards both houses because he is wishing death upon them. This makes all of the characters more apt to start a fight because they are all being insulted. The phrase is then followed by an exclamation mark, which shows Mercutio’s forcefulness and creates a dramatic atmosphere. The use of insults raises the tension onstage because it provokes characters into starting a brawl.
In the exchanges between Tybalt and Mercutio we can see an excessive use of the word “sir” between Tybalt and Mercutio.
“You shall find me apt enough for that, sir, and you will give me an occasion”
“Well, peace be with you, sir, here comes my man.”
“But ill be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery”
The use of the word “sir” is usually used in a respectful manner but the characters are not known to be respectful towards each other, this shows the sarcasm, which can infuriate each other and can lead to a dispute. By using repetition the point of sarcasm is emphasized greatly and is more likely to get a reaction from one of the characters.
After Tybalt has slain Mercutio Romeo makes a prediction,
“This day’s black fate on moe days doth depend,
This but begins the woe others must end.”
We can see Romeo’s passion and rage is soaring from they way he is describing the future. Romeo uses the words “black fate”, the audience usually associates the colour black with death or evil. This creates feelings of tension because he is describing this unchangeable destiny as being associated with death. Romeo then describes that other days depend on this day. He then describes that this is a “woe others must end”. A woe is referred to as a great unhappiness or a condition of pain, Romeo is highlighting through the use of “others” that the characters must put a stop to their grief. The audience is intrigued to unearth the events that will come to follow but at this moment in time left to conjure up their own images of what might happen, which creates a dramatic scene.
As the death of Mercutio affects Romeo we see a change in his personality and mood. It was originally calm but now he is angry and ready for a fight.
“Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now”
Romeo is exclaiming that his calm mood has gone away to heaven. The reader associates heaven as a place where things do not return from, the reader is then to believe that Romeo has become an angry and aggressive character because his calm mood will not return. The words “fire-eyed fury” are associated with passion and is showing Romeo’s strong feelings, also the use of alliteration emphasizes his fury and shows the reader that Romeo is more than likely to start a brawl. With two characters with heightened emotions on stage, there is a high chance of another conflict and this creates tension.
Following the death of Tybalt, Romeo expresses that he is “fortune’s fool”.
“O, I am fortune’s fool.”
The use of the words “fortune’s fool” shows that Romeo was inevitable going to kill Tybalt and that his lack of sense through anger leads to this outcome. As Romeo cries out “O” this highlight his distress to the reader and shows how his personality has changed through the scene. It is evident to the reader that Romeo regrets what he has done and this creates tension through guilt and lament.
Towards the end of the scene, we find that Benvolio explains to the Prince the events that occurred. Being a Montague the reader expects Benvolio to be bias towards the Montagues. Surprisingly, we find Benvolio to be unbiased and equally blame both houses. The audience is left shocked at Benvolio’s words. This creates tension because in the scene, when there was mixed loyalties, characters were slain.
This scene is a significant part of the play because it highlights in greater detail the ancient feud that is present behind these two families. Also, it shows a huge contrast in the character’s personalities. We find that, as well as different characters having different moods and characteristics, individual characters change the way they conduct themselves through the events in this scene. This scene is the turning point in the play because both families realize that this feud has caused them great losses.
Overall, the techniques, which made the scene the most dramatic, were the techniques that showed a contrast between two things. For example, the contrast in personalities led to a disagreement. A contrast shows things that are completely opposite and are not they same in any way. In not being the same these things interact negatively with other things and creates tension. However, there are many other techniques, which contributed to the build up in tension and this created a very significant and dramatic scene.
