Romeo + Juliet Act 3 Scene 5

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Ogheneserome Ogboru 10E

How does Shakespeare make the audience feel sorry for Juliet in the second part of Act 3, Scene 5?

Romeo and Juliet is a play about two “star cross’d lovers” who cannot unite due to their feuding families. The second part of Act 3, Scene 5 is key because it devises an impossible situation which can only lead to a tragic end. It also develops audience’s involvement by engaging our sympathy with Juliet. Dramatic irony is used in the scene and is revisited throughout the play. During the scene, Juliet is told she has to marry Paris, but refuses which causes an argument between her and her parents. This scene reflects the theme of opposites that run through the play by creating contrast through the different changes in atmosphere and the different sides of Capulet.

There is a change in atmosphere between the two halves of the scene; at the beginning of the scene we meet Juliet in her lover’s arms using romantic vocabulary whereas at the end of the scene, we leave Juliet feeling isolated and without a support system throwing insults and threats. This contrast has been made to emphasise the negativity and reflects back to the themes of conflict and opposites the play bases itself on. Also, the change of atmosphere is due to the contrast of Capulet’s personality. In the beginning of the scene, Capulet uses extended metaphors and pathetic fallacy to describe Juliet’s sadness. He states that “But for the sunset of my brother’s son; it rains downright,” this shows that Capulet shares a close, intimate and affectionate relationship with Juliet.

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Whilst parting from Romeo, Juliet says “Methinks I see thee now. Thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.”This foreshadows the tragic event that is yet to come but also that Juliet has a sense of foreboding, a sense that something bad is going to happen. Due to the prologue, the audience already know the outcome which increases our pity and sympathy for her. Because of his banishment, Juliet has to part from Romeo not knowing when she will see him again. This alters the audience’s feelings toward Juliet, she is no longer seen ...

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