Shakespeare, romeo & juliet act 3

When the nurse arrives it creates tension because it puts the situation into perspective; unless Romeo leaves now then Lady Capulet will catch him and Juliet together. The nurse brings the couple down to earth and reminds them of the severity and immediacy of the situation. The imagery that Juliet uses also builds tension, which could also be seen as a premonition of what is to come. Juliet says: “As one dead in the bottom of a tomb,” This declarative builds tension because it suggests something that may possibly happen. Shakespeare was known for dropping subtle hints towards the endings into his plays.

The relationship between Lady Capulet and Juliet is very formal and unsympathetic. This is shown in the text when Lady Capulet is talking to Juliet (who has just told her mother she will not marry Paris): “Here comes your father; tell him so yourself, and see how he will take it at your hands.” This is a very uncomforting imperative which implies that Lady Capulet is tired of Juliet, and that she wants her to tell Lord Capulet so that Juliet will be scolded (Juliet’s refusal to marry would be a blow to the reputation of the Capulet family which Lord Capulet cares more about than his daughter’s happiness), but also because Lady Capulet is scared of Lord Capulet herself and so does not want to be the bearer of bad news.  In the era in which  the play was set, mother-daughter relationships were very formal and one was expected to do as ones parents said; Juliet is seen as disobedient by not following this unwritten law. Also, Lady Capulet is unaware of Juliet and Romeo’s secret marriage and so believes that she is mourning over the death of her cousin Tybalt; this is an example of dramatic irony.  The end of the scene is very tense because the audience has just seen Juliet and Lady Capulet arguing and also Lady Capulet orders Juliet to tell her father. The way they act we are able to tell that they are both scared of Lord Capulet, the audience will wonder how he will react and what will happen to Juliet.