There is an increase in tension as the audience know that Romeo is Tybalt’s family and this is why Romeo will not retaliate to Tybalt. “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain am I none.” This quote shows Romeo trying to avoid conflict with Tybalt without telling him the reason why he will not fight him. The audience gets more excited as Mercutio’s frustration grows as he is not happy with the way Romeo is reacting. “O Calm, dishonourable, vile submission.” Mercutio is disgusted with Romeo’s lack of action.
“therefore turn and draw.” These are fighting words, used by Tybalt, causing conflict between Tybalt and Romeo. Even with Tybalt’s aggressive behaviour, Romeo still avoids a fight. Romeo’s calm attitude makes matters worse as Tybalt’s anger rises. “Romeo, the love bear thee can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain,” Tybalt thinks Romeo is a coward and continues to challenge him causing an increase in tension as the audience is wondering what is going to happen next. Mercutio gets more frustrated and also thinks Romeo is a coward and challenges Tybalt to a brawl himself because of Romeo’s lack of action. “Alla Stoccata” starts it all off. “Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk” Mercutio challenges Tybalt whilst drawing his sword. The audience will for more excitement and it will grips there attention and it will keep on building.
Tybalt takes advantage of Romeo interrupting the argument by stabbing Mercutio. This causes tension as Mercutio is the Prince’s cousin and Romeo’s friend the audience awaits Romeos reaction. The fight causes the audience tto get very excited and grips the audience’s attention because they know that Romeo will want revenge as he will feel it was his fault. When Tybalt fee’s the scene the tension drops a little. Mercutio curses Romeo for getting involved and blames him for what happened. “a plague a’ both houses! I am sped. Is he gone and hath nothing?” Mercutio blames both houses and is angry that Tybalt left with no injuries. When it is announced that mercutio is dead the audience wait to see what Romeo’s retaliation. The audience understands that Romeo’s sense of guilt as Romeo didn’t want to fight his family but caused a friends death. Tension drops briefly as Romeo is left alone on stage.
After all the action Romeo is alone on the stage and this break in the action provides Benvolio announces the death of Mercutio “O Romeo, Romeo , brave Mercutio is dead” This will increase excitement within the audience as they expect Romeo to retaliate. Romeo will be left feeling guilty and upset for Mercutio. He will also be worried about what the prince will say as it was his cousin. Romeo’s reaction to this announcement is for revenge. “his day’s black fate on moe days doth depend, this but begins the woe others must end.” This will cause tension for the audience and because of Romeo’s reaction they will anticipate a fight.
The reappearance of Tybalt is crucial at this point, the audience would anxiously await Romeo’s reaction because of the decision he has chosen. Romeo’s language towards Tybalt is very aggressive. “Again, in triumph and mercutio slain? Away to heaven, respectively lenity and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” This aggressive behaviour towards Tybalt causes extreme tension as the audience are anxiously waiting a fight. The audience then witness a second sword fight between Tybalt and Romeo. As Tybalt falls, the audience is very excited and tense as they will happen to Romeo.
Benviolio is clearly scared and fears for Romeo. ‘Romeo away, be gone!’ This shows Benviolio telling Romeo to go for his own safety. The audience will realise that something bad will happen to Romeo and this causes tension. This feeling is reinforced when Benvolio warns Romeo about the prince’s warning ‘…stand not amazed, the prince will doom thee death.’ Romeo realises that he will be killed and flee’s, when he does this the audience sense his despair because with the murder. Romeo’s words suggest that he has ruined things for him and Juliet. At this point the audience is left wondering what is going to happen next. Tybalts death drops the tension as they now know he is dead but will increase intrest as the audience will expect more trouble along the way.
The arrival of the officers of the watch on stage will increase tension as the audience will be waiting anxiously to hear what will happen to Romeo. The tension increases once again when the prince and representatives of both houses arrive because Mercutio was the prince’s cousin. ‘Where are the vile beginners of this fray’. The prince shows that he is trying to to take sides even though his cousin is dead. This increases tension as the audience will then think Romeo has less of a chance to survive. The impact of the officers arriving causes fear and excitement for the audience because they fear for Romeo’s life.
As the audience await the prince’s verdict the tension grows as lady Capulet wants Romeo dead. ‘I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give.’ Lady Capulet wants Romeo to be killed for what he has done. This increases tension as the audience expect the prince to agree. The audience is relieved when the prince only bansishes Romeo. ‘Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio, who now the price of dear blood doth owe.’ This shows the prince standing up for Romeo. Although Romeo killed Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio, Lady Capulet still wants him dead. The prince’s verdict brings slight relief in tension for the audience, but Romeo’s banishment will affect the relationship of Romeo and Juliet because they will not be allowed to see each other no more. This increases tension and excitement as the audience will want to see the two lovers to see each other and will wonder what there reaction to this will be.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses tension to keep the audience interested and on the edge of their seats in some parts. The tension rises and falls constantly throughout this scène which creates a great effect upon the audience as they are constantly wanting to know more. The behaviour of the characters causes tension as to the way they behave you will expect certain things to happen. The language in this scene also causes tension as they are also warning each other if things happen but yet they regard the comments and carry on with what they are doing. Before this scene Romeo and Juliet were happy and the play focused on the these two secret love affair. But now the scene is concentrating on if the Capulets will retaliate, and how Romeo and Juliet will make there relationship work as Romeo has been banshed. The audience will be left wondering and tension will rise at the end of this scene.
By Tanya Hardie
11HZ
