Romeo and Juliet "what dramatic effect does Shakespeare aim for in act 3 scene 1 and how does he achieve this.

September 2002.

G.C.S.E Shakespeare coursework: Romeo and Juliet

Essay Title: “what dramatic effect does Shakespeare aim for in act 3 scene 1 and how does he achieve this.

In this essay, I will examine the use of dramatic irony in act 3 scene 1. In this scene. Benvolio and Mercutio are in the street. Benvolio wants himself and Mercutio to go inside because it is a hot day and the Capulets are out looking for trouble, Mercutio makes a joke out of this and says that Benvolio is the only trouble maker and thinks of some imaginary fights that Benvolio has started. Tybalt and some friends soon see Benvolio and Mercutio and go to them. Mercutio makes it clear that if a fight is what Tybalt wants then a fight he will get, but Tybalt is looking for Romeo and is not interested in fighting with Mercutio. When Romeo arrives Tybalt calls him names in a hope that he will retaliate by wanting to fight with him, but Romeo just ignores him because he is married to Juliet who is Tybalts cousin, only Tybalt knows nothing of this. Tybalt then calls Romeo a coward but tries to tell Tybalt that he wants to be friends, he replies with other my dead body and this gets Mercutio angry. He starts to shout a Tybalt for being heartless and not accepting Romeos hand in friendship. Mercutio and Tybalt then start to fight, Romeo tries to split them up and in the confusion Tybalt stabs Mercutio and he dies when Tybalt realises this he runs off. Romeo then looks for Tybalt and when he finds him frenziedly attacks him and Tybalt dies. Romeo runs off as people start to crowd. The prince soon arrives and questions Benvolio about the fight Benvolio tells the truth about both fights the prince banishes Romeo from Verona and fined both the Montague’s and the Capulets.

The previous scene is vital to our understanding of Romeos reasons for wanting peace with Tybalt if Romeo and Juliet hadn’t have been married in the previous scene we wouldn’t know why he wanted peace. This helps create tension because we don’t know if Romeo will tell Tybalt of his marriage to Juliet. Romeo would have fought Tybalt without a doubt if he hadn’t have married Juliet.

Shakespeare aims for a dramatic effect in this scene he has introduced dramatic irony because Romeo and Juliet are secretly married and we know this is why he wouldn’t fight ...

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Shakespeare aims for a dramatic effect in this scene he has introduced dramatic irony because Romeo and Juliet are secretly married and we know this is why he wouldn’t fight Tybalt because they are related but only Romeo knows this. This is a good way for Romeo to end his feud with the Capulets and Tybalt. “Till thou shalt know the reason of my love and so good Capulet which name I tender as dearly as my own, be satisfied”.

The audience’s prior knowledge of Romeos state of mind helps to prepare for the almost predictable brawl but because Romeo loves Juliet he refuses to fight Tybalt

Even though he does not like him, this suggests that he is confused like he is being torn in two directions. But Tybalt is angry and wants to fight when Romeo refuses to fight and offers his hand in friendship Tybalt feels that he is mocking and this makes him angrier as he hates all Montague’s. “ Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this thou art villain”

Through out this scene, the audience is left to wonder what repercussions will arise following the deaths. First, the audience may be curious to discover whether Romeo will tell Tybalt of his relationship to him we think this when Romeo says, “ the reason I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting”. After this we wonder if Tybalt will accept Romeos offer of friendship but we soon learn that he does not because he fights with Mercutio and Tybalt kills him then runs off. Later Romeo finds tybalt and kills him. Now we don’t know if Juliet will forgive Romeo for killing her cousin Tybalt. Does this mean people will find out about the marriage?