The last time we saw such a large group of people was at the banquet, here everyone is relaxed a fight between Mercutio and Romeo is avoided. Lord Capulet say that Romeo is a good lad, all is well. In contrast this scene, although still set with a large amount of people, is tense, violent and there is a sense of disaster and foreboding. There are young, rich bored young men milling around there is no scene of authority, control or reason.
The dramatic finale to this tense scene is when Rome gets in between the two protagonists. This is when an almost playful sward fight results in the death of Mercutio. When Romeo realises that Mercutio is fatally injured the attention shifts more to Romeo and his changing mood adding tension. The audience suddenly consider the consequences of the fatal brawl and what this could mean for Romeo. There is a sinister feel to the end of the scene as Mercutio dramatically dies and curses both of the houses. Mercutio is left lying dead in the square as Romeo flees after Tybalt, driven by rage and determined to avenge his cousins’ death. The audience is left with a sickening feeling of unease as Romeo, the romantic hero, is swallowed by fate sealing his tragic destiny. This is the beginning of a downward rollercoaster that none can seem to stop.
The language in this scene is another powerful device that Shakespeare uses to show dramatic importance. He may even use this device more than others as the limitations of an Elizabethan theatre meant that most things had to be described through the characters dialect and actions. In this scene Marcutio and Benvolio are hanging around the town square. Benvolio says, ‘for now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring’ this gives the scene an uncontrolled feel and makes us think that anything could happen. This would have been very unnerving for the audience and again adds dramatic tension to the scene. Marcutio jokes with Benvolio, teasing him about being hot headed, ‘Come, come thou are as hot as a jack in thy mood’. Even thought this is attended as a joke it is very relevant to the events to follow as Marcutio says that Benvolio would quarrel for any reason. However there is an underlining theme in this scene that this joke portrays.
They are bored and conflict starts when the Capulet arrive. This scene is very tense as the two apposing characters egg each other on. Shakespeare use of language shows the tension between the characters, as the dialect is quick and very aggressive. When Tybalt walks over to Mercutio and Benvolio there is immediate implications of a fight. Tybalt wants to fight with Romeo for turning up at the Capulets banquet. Shakespeare uses body language and dialect to show this. ‘ A word with you’, Tybalt demands sarcastically. Mercutio full of pride and not wanting to be shown as a coward in the presence of his enemy and friend quickly replies ‘make it a word and a blow’ and the tension rises. We see even Benvolio, the voice of reason, having no control over the situation he pleads, ‘withdraw unto a private place’ but stubborn Mercutio says ‘budge, not I.’ So the brawl continues in the openness of the square again causing tension as the two protagonists dare each other to do there worst. Some of the worst insults are thrown around between the characters the tension is rising as the hot headed characters become more and more provoked by each other. The audience watch on edge to see how the fight will progress, waiting tensely for something awful to happen.
Another force of reason appears, Romeo full of joy and optimism for the future with his new bride Juliet. He tries to avoid conflict with Tybalt but Mercutio is indifferent. He talks of Romeo as if he was a servant, one of the most insulting things to say, ‘Here comes my man’ they call each other ‘boy’. Romeo turns away hoping to avoid conflict. However Mercutio is offended by Tybalts rude words and asks him for one of his nine lives and Tybalt is only too happy to retaliate.
It becomes dangerous when swords are drawn and they begin to fight. This is when an almost playful sword fight results in the death of Mercutio. They did not mean to kill each other it is as if some dark force is pulling them in that direction. Now the characters are defenceless to the course of event that is to follow the horrible death or Mercutio. This is the climax of the play.
The language at the end creates a very tense feel. It almost scares the audience as in Elizabethan times magic was believed to be real and very dangerous. Mercutios cynical curse is place on the two families as he dies. He mutters ‘a plague on both your houses.’ This curse foretells Romeo and Juliet’s fate, and that nothing good could come of anything now setting a tense and depressing mood in the previously optimistic audience.
Now the excitement and confusion gather pace. Romeo instead of keeping his reason paces after Tybalt. He foretells the future. He says ‘this days black fate on my days doth depend / this but begins the woe that other must end.’ Leaving the audience wondering what will become of Romeo now.
Shakespeare uses all these things to create tension in this important scene. He uses the stagecraft and the positioning of the character to visually show the audience the dramatic importance of act 3 scene 1. He has placed the scene careful in the middle and next to an opposing scene. The tenderness of previous scene then the violence of the next. He uses dramatic tension to make the audience feel what is going on for the characters. Changing the mood. He uses language to strongly communicate the mood and importance of a scene and the characters changing relationships.