Shakespeare uses interesting dynamics between different characters to add drama. Tension is also created when Tybalt tells Capulet about Romeo being at his feast. He wants a fight but Capulet is happy and doesn’t want his party spoiling.
“Be patient take no note of him.”
This creates tension between Capulet and Tybalt as Tybalt is eager to confront him. Capulet is firm and tells Tybalt that he is in charge. Capulet is a sensible man and on this occasion in a good mood he is also aware of the prince’s decree. This combined with the fact that he wants a reputation of hosting good parties; means he is angry but holds back. Although previously he has been just as eager to fight as others. Tybalt is a lot fierier than Romeo. Before the feast Romeo was reluctant to go as he didn’t want a fight, especially after the prince’s decree.
“I have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move.”
This shows he doesn’t want to move; doesn’t want to go. Whereas Tybalt isn’t worried about having a fight,
“To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.”
Once Tybalt recognises Romeo’s voice in the Capulet’s feast he wants a conflict, this is because the notion of family honour is been challenge by Romeo’s presence. Tybalt wants to defend his family and feels what Romeo has done is unacceptable. This also underlines the danger Romeo is in as he is falling in love with Juliet. Tybalt is an angry person and doesn’t forgive people,
“I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitterest gall.”
At this point more tension is created as the audience realise Tybalt will do something later to get his revenge.
Shakespeare uses language to add drama to the play. He shows the difference between wealthy characters and poor characters through language. The wealthy characters all speak in blank verse in iambic pentameter and the poor people, e.g. servants, speak in prose. This establishes a clear divide and indicates to the audience who is important. Shakespeare uses a contrast in language between Tybalt and Romeo, which again emphasises their different characteristics. Just before Romeo and Juliet meet Tybalt’s words are very angry and threatening, “Bitterest gall.” Whereas straight after Romeo’s words are full of romance, soft and gentle. This is a dramatic contrast and creates great effect.
Shakespeare includes the traditions of courtly love. He shows how Romeo follows these traditions when he is in love with Rosaline compared with how he shows his feeling to Juliet. Romeo wrote poems for Rosaline, stayed in his room and didn’t eat. The audience would have understood how he felt; they would have admired him for keeping to the traditions, or at least empathised with his situation. He then creates drama and interest when Romeo and Juliet meet; all the traditions of courtly love are forgotten about. This would have been dramatic as the audience would have been shocked to see two people kissing and falling in love instantly.
As there were no female actors Shakespeare had to prove Romeo and Juliet were in love by others means except them kissing and being intimate. By forgetting about the traditions of courtly love when they meet, he shows they are deeply in love and can’t hold themselves back. Shakespeare also uses a hyperbole,
“Beauty too rich for uses, for earth too dear.”
Shakespeare uses this for affect, it shows Romeo fell in love with Juliet the minute he saw her. Because the audience understand these traditions and can see his love to Juliet is true they wouldn’t have thought Romeo was fickle.
Romeo and Juliet meet and kiss within 14 lines. These 14 lines make up a sonnet. This is very dramatic as the audience would have instantly recognised a sonnet as a love poem. Shakespeare has very cleverly managed to create a sonnet in a conversation between Romeo and Juliet, and keep it in verse following iambic pentameter. The sonnet follows the expected line and rhyme schemes. It is a shared sonnet; Romeo says the first quatrain, Juliet the second, they share they third and the rhyming couplet. Shakespeare is suggesting because their lines fit together, they fit together. The shared sonnet emphasises the harmony of their thoughts and feelings. It also indicates their isolation within the scene. The audience would have noticed this and by now be even more convinced of their love.
Throughout the sonnet religious imagery is used.
“This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims,”
The audience would have clearly understood the imagery they were using and would have found, the way in which they were using it, amusing/interesting and effective. By using the imagery; what they were doing may have been seen as more acceptable.
In the sonnet they play around with the words palm and palmers.
“And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.”
This is again religious imagery, something which would be familiar to the audience and of interest. By using this imagery Shakespeare makes the sonnet more interesting and dramatic. It would have given the audience visual images which would have made what they were doing less dishonourable; although it would still be a shock that they fit together so well and their first conversation makes up a perfect love poem. There is also an extended metaphor in the sonnet which again makes the sonnet more interesting and dramatic; Romeo presents himself as a “pilgrim” coming to “worship” his “saint” (Juliet). After Romeo has said his first quatrain Juliet immediately gives him the green light.
“Good pilgrim you do wrong your hand too much.”
This may have surprised the audience, and again emphasises their love at first sight. In the next quatrain Romeo shows he wants to kiss Juliet.
“Have not saints lips and holy palmers too?
He is still using the imagery and as Juliet said it was ok to touch he is asking if hands can touch cant lips. This would have been dramatic as the audience would have seen him as being cheeky and taking advantage. They then would have been surprised when Juliet doesn’t dismiss the idea, but lets the extended metaphor continue with the idea of lips touching included.
“Lips that they must use in prayer.”
Shakespeare then shows Romeo has acknowledged that Juliet would approve of it in pray. He asks her permission for him to kiss her. To which she lets him.
“Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake.”
This shows she wants him to kiss her but he has to make the move as she imagines herself as the “statue”, which can’t move, that pilgrims come to touch and pray. We notice Juliet isn’t as forward as Romeo. This leads to the climax of the scene ‘the kiss’. This is very dramatic and the audience are aware of the dangers around their love. They also know that the kiss will have consequences in the rest of the play.
After the kiss they appear to be starting another sonnet. Shakespeare cleverly carries the religious imagery through as they set up for another kiss.
“Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg’d!
Give me my sin again.”
They play around with the fact they are ‘passing sin’ on to each others lips and then want it back. This is effective and adds interest.
Shakespeare creates drama when the nurse interrupts them. It is the real world interrupting, they are no longer isolated in the scene. The audience are put in suspense as they forget about Romeo and Juliet’s passionate love and focus on them finding out who each other is. Shakespeare purposely has the nurse interrupt them, as then a fight won’t break out and they can ask the nurse questions as to the others identity. This creates effect and allows the audience to see their feelings when their identities are known. Once they find out each others identities we know they feel trapped in the relationship.
“That I must love a loathed enemy.”
The word “must” shows Juliet feels strongly about him and feels trapped in love.
Romeo and Juliet’s love would have also been interesting, as arranged marriages were very common in Elizabethan times. It was very uncommon for people not to be matched with someone and meetings not to be set up by their parents. Because of this Shakespeare creates drama, as it is very strange that, within 14 lines they are deeply in love and kissing, without any parents involved or having any insight. The audience would be shocked and wonder what the parents will think or do when they find out. Because parents have no involvement in this love, it is also another way to convince the audience that their love is intense and uncontrollable.
Act 1 scene 5 is mainly focused on the love between Romeo and Juliet. The hatred between the families is central to act 3 scene 1.The content of the scenes contrast greatly but both are pivotal points of the play.
Act 3 scene 1 is well positioned in the play. Tybalt has been given a reason to want to fight Romeo and poison has been growing inside him to get revenge. This increases the hatred, between the families which we are already aware of, before the first scene I analysed. This already creates tension for the audience as they wait scene by scene for another feud. Previous to this scene Romeo and Juliet secretly marry. This would have already been very dramatic. To add to the drama and create effect Shakespeare places a quiet, love scene immediately before a fiery, action scene. This is a huge contrast and would have kept the audiences attention. Again, Shakespeare sets up for this second key scene by giving us enough information to be aware something big will or could happen, which keeps us in suspense.
Shakespeare creates visual spectacle in this scene in two ways. It would have been very dramatic and interesting for them to see two good, skilful swordsmen fighting. And as in the other scene it would have been grand, although in a different context. This fight scene would have gripped the audience and emphasised the background of danger which is constantly looming throughout the whole play. Visual spectacle will have also been created, especially for the groundlings, when the families are grieving and asking for justice. It would have been intriguing for them to see how rich people deal with death and what they feel fair justice is. It would have also been fascinating to see whether the families would seek revenge on each other.
Dramatic irony is used in this scene. Only the audience are aware of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. Therefore we are aware of why Romeo doesn’t want to fight Tybalt, even after Tybalt has insulted him badly, “Thou art a villain.” Even when he reply’s to the insult he is modest.
“The reason I have to love thee,
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage,”
It is clear Romeo wants to establish peace between the families for the sake of his marriage. However only the audience know that. It creates suspense as we wonder, whether they will start questioning his morals? Will any one get suspicious? And what will happen if they do. As in the above scene the dramatic irony involves Romeo and Juliet’s love. In the first scene we know their identities and that their families are enemies; and in the second scene we are aware of their marriage which, at first prevents Romeo from fighting Tybalt. It is also a key component to both scenes.
Shakespeare creates different dynamics between characters for effect and to add interest. At the very start of the scene we see a difference in Mercutio and Benvolio. Mercutio is very humorous and laid back while Benvolio is constantly aware of dangers.
“Good Mercutio lets retire:
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,
And, if we meet, we shall not ‘scape a brawl,”
Immediately Benvolio establishes an air of tension, he suspects a conflict. He constantly reminds the audience of the danger every one is in. “Here all eyes gaze on us.” This is very effective as Benvolio is a good friend of Romeo’s and a sensible character. As a contrast Mercutio is joking around and isn’t worried about anything.
“Nay, and there were two such, we should have none
Shortly, for one would kill the other.”
Unlike Benvolio, Mercutio is not scared of a quarrel and would stand his ground. When Tybalt approaches them Mercutio deliberately misunderstands him and plays with the words ‘consort’st’ and ‘consort’. This shows he is not scared of Tybalt and would pick an argument. Whereas Benvolio tries to calm them down and stop an argument. We also see this when Romeo does not accept the challenge to fight Tybalt. Mercutio thinks he is a coward for not accepting. He decides to challenge Tybalt himself to defend his honour and not let Tybalt win. However Benvolio would be glad if another feud didn’t break out and would be pleased with Romeo for not accepting the challenge. Mercutio is still joking when he is about to die as he puts a pun on the word “grave”. Right to the end of the fight Benvolio is staying away from fighting and tells the prince exactly what happened. It is interesting to see such a big distinction between their characters and know they were Romeo’s best friends. Their differences create dramatic effect and interest. They also help to create tension and suspense. Shakespeare also uses interesting and contrasting dynamics between Romeo and Tybalt. As in the first scene Tybalt is fierier and wants a fight to get his revenge, whereas Romeo is concentrating on his love for Juliet and the last thing he wants is a fight. When Romeo doesn’t accept Tybalt’s challenge he insults him to try anger him. However Romeo still holds back. When Mercutio curses both families just before he is about to die, Romeo admits he didn’t fight because of love.
“Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,”
Romeo says she took away my manliness and he was only thinking of love. But now he must get his revenge on Tybalt for killing his friend. We see Romeo cares about the people around him and will try and protect them. However he can’t just let someone kill his friend and get away with it. The audience will be intrigued at these two characters and form their own opinions on them. Shakespeare cleverly uses this contrast not only for drama and effect, but it also makes the audience feel sympathetic towards Romeo. The audience would also empathise with the guilt he is feeling at this point.
Shakespeare creates tension and suspense a number of times throughout this scene. Tension is created by Benvolio constantly warning a conflict is inevitable at the start.
“We shall not scape a brawl,”
As Benvolio is a sensible character, that we can trust the audience will believe something is going to happen which will create tension. The humour of Mercutio also creates suspense as we know he doesn’t mind a fight so if the challenge is brought he will definitely take it up. When Romeo doesn’t accept the challenge the audience wonder what Tybalt will do. This creates suspense. We wonder whether with enough insults he will give in as his honour is at stake, or whether he will just let Tybalt win. Anxiety is created just after this as well. We know Mercutio wants a fight and won’t let Tybalt win. We wonder whether a fight will break out with Mercutio involved and whether Tybalt will be satisfied with fighting Mercutio when really he wants revenge on Romeo. while all this suspense is been created there is already an air of tension immediately when a conflict is even mentioned, as we are still aware of the prince’s decree and what could happen to whoever starts the fight. Once the fight begins there is tension, will anyone be killed and what will be the effect of that if it were to occur. When Mercutio is killed we are shocked and begin to speculate about what Romeo will think will he do anything and what will happen to Tybalt? When Romeo decides to get revenge we are stunned. Has he forgotten about Juliet, or is it just that he is such a loyal friend that he has to do what Mercutio would have wanted him to do. When Romeo does fight Tybalt we are inquisitive as to what the outcome will be. Once Tybalt is killed an intense air of tension is formed as to what will happen to Romeo as a result of his actions and will Juliet cope if he is to be killed. We wait in anticipation for the Prince’s decision. Once his decision is known we realise Romeo and Juliet’s marriage is even more of a problem. Their marriage is now in jeopardy. Shakespeare very cleverly creates tension throughout the whole scene. This keeps the audience interested and on the edge of their seats. He also creates out comes which hold the audience in suspense for future scenes. We know their marriage is in trouble, and wonder how they can possibly unveil a marriage in this type of atmosphere. He is manipulating the audience. The theme in which suspense is created in this scene greatly contrasts the first scene I analysed. In the first scene suspense was created through Romeo and Juliet’s love, with an air of tension created around the hatred between the two families for later scenes. In act 3 scene 1 it is the other way round with tension formed from hatred in the scene and suspense of Romeo and Juliet’s love created for later scenes.
Shakespeare adds issues of Elizabethan interests into this scene. Throughout the scene honour is at stake. The Elizabethan audience would have recognised this and understood the views on honour used throughout the scene. This would have been intriguing and added suspense. As with the earlier scene fate plays a part within the scene. Once Romeo hears Mercutio is dead he is left with the guilt and refers to fate when saying he is not in control.
“This day’s black fate on mo days doth depend;”
Romeo feels he cannot help what happens and however much he tries fate will always win. The Elizabethan audience would have believed in fate and adding this into the play would be very effective. Romeo also says fate is dictating the pattern of things.
“O, I am fortunes fool.”
He feels fortune is playing with him and he can not escape. After he has killed Tybalt he knows he has to face the consequences even though he didn’t want to kill him fate made him. The audience would empathise with Romeo. Another Elizabethan interest Shakespeare adds is law and order. Once the prince arrives at the fight scene he represents law and order and has to be seen to be fair. Both families have lost someone because of this feud and are weeping and wailing asking for justice. When Benvolio tells the story the prince realises Romeo was not really to blame. The audience would have agreed with this. He says to the families.
“Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio,”
Romeo did what the law would have done any way but shouldn’t have taken the law into his hands. The audience would have agreed with this conclusion but would have also wanted a punishment. Shakespeare has to make a punishment so that he is representing law and order fairly. He fines both families for violence and banishes Romeo. This would have been seen as a fair punishment and also enables Shakespeare to create suspense over Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. As with the earlier scene Shakespeare uses Elizabethan interests for effect and to add excitement. It also helps the audience understand the play better as they are familiar with issues involved.
Shakespeare uses language to create effect. He has Tybalt use a word that Mercutio can deliberately misunderstand. By allowing Mercutio to misunderstand “consort’st” he angers Tybalt even more and can give e himself reason for a quarrel by saying he insulted them.
“Consort! What does thou make us minstrels?”
This also creates time for Romeo to be walking back from his secret wedding to Juliet, and bump into them. He cleverly uses language when Mercutio is about to die. He talks about how he is dieing but the humour from before the fight is carried on as he puts a pun on “grave”.
This reminds us of his character and emphasises the differences between him and Benvolio, explained earlier. This creates effect and drama. Shakespeare uses language to show the irritation the prince has with the families’ feud.
“I will be deaf to pleading and excuses;”
This clearly shows he doesn’t want to hear anymore of there disagreements and will not take sides. The audience would agree with this. This suggests the prince is fed up with the families arguing.
This scene is full of tension, suspense, danger, devastation and visual spectacle all cleverly put together to create the uppermost effect. This keeps the audiences attention throughout the whole scenes and creates suspense for future scenes.
In conclusion Shakespeare makes the two scenes dramatic by using a number of different effects. He uses different dynamics between characters to create conflict and uses language to emphasise feelings and character. In both scenes he also uses issues of interest to an Elizabethan audience this is effective and engaging, it also means the audience will be able to follow/understand the play better as they are familiar with some aspects. I think this is very effective and also creates drama in the way in which the issues are used. Especially in act 1 scene 5 when they are used in the opposite way to the expected. In both scenes Shakespeare also uses visual spectacle and creates dramatic irony. This helps the audience feel involved as they have information the characters don’t and it creates suspense as we wait for the characters to find out what we already know. Shakespeare creates tension and suspense throughout the whole play. This means we are constantly gripped and there is always something happening. This is helped by the fast moving plot which Shakespeare conscientiously created. Tension and suspense is a key aspect to the two key scenes and I think Shakespeare creates a lot of it and in an effective way. Shakespeare also very cleverly bases the two pivotal scenes around opposing themes which is dramatic in its own form. Overall I feel Shakespeare is a very skilful dramatist and knows how to grip the audiences’ attention using a variety of techniques, in different ways.
