When Romeo does enter in Act 3 Scene 1, he refuses to fight with Tybalt who is provoking him. “I have to love thee… villain am I none” this shows Romeo has no choice but to love Tybalt as they are now relatives, and is trying considerably to keep the peace between them, mainly for his love Juliet. He shows his main priority is Juliet, his consideration n caring character proves he doesn’t want to distress or hurt his beloved Juliet’s feelings.
Tybalt however still insists they fight “thou art a villain.”
Mercutio, another good friend of Romeo’s is appalled and sickened by Romeo’s betrayal to his family name, and refusal to fight Tybalt, so instead Mercutio accepts Tybalt’s challenge on behalf of Romeo “will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.” Tybalt kills Mercutio.
Enraged and furious Romeo goes to Tybalt for revenge “now Tybalt, take the villain back again” Romeo’s life long friend Mercutio murdered by Tybalt, suddenly makes his hatred for Capulets floods back throughout him. He partially blames himself as he quotes “either thou or I, or both must go with him” he doesn’t just say “thou” shows loyalty towards his friend.
However his calm and pacifist nature re changed instantly to fuming rage, his loyalty to Mercutio allows him to forget about his consideration to his beloved Juliet, his fickleness is once again shown throughout his scene.
In complete rage Romeo murders Tybalt, his cousin-in-law.
Secondly, Mercutio, he has come across as a witty, disrespectful, naïve, and immature character, this is shown by him finding sexual reference amusing “for this drivelling love is like a great natural that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole.” Also his witty puns allow the audience to have some relief after some tragic or violent scenes “they have made worms’ meat out of me,” Mercutio mostly leads the action in Act 3 Scene 1 and other dramatic scenes.
Mercutio’s wittiness is more sarcastic, he enjoys taunting people and likes to retaliate with others.
Mercutio: “Thou hast most kindly hit it.”
Romeo: “A most courteous exposition.”
Mercutio: “Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.”
Yet behind this insulting, childish character is a loyal friend of Romeo’s, whenever Romeo is feeling dejected or miserable, Mercutio always tries to laugh Romeo out of his sadness and make him feel a little better “If love be rough with you, be rough with love: prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” Act 1 Scene 4.
In addition, Mercutio also shows his loyalty and respect for the Montague family name, this is shown by his acceptance to Tybalt’s fight (Act 3 Scene 1) instead of Romeo “come, sir, your ‘passado’” this shows his faithful to his friend and wont allow him to make a fool of himself or his family.
Mercutio, in Act 2 Scene 4 prepares us for a fight “he is already dead” he claims a there would be death, however even though he is talking in the past tense he has spoken about a character being dead.
Mercutio becomes furious when Romeo refuses to accept Tybalt’s challenge so he accepts it himself. As a loyal friend, he fights in his friend’s honour, Tybalt then wounds him. Still trying to be humorous, Mercutio cries out “ay a scratch” which shows he is putting on a front, maybe this is because he doesn’t want Romeo to feel guilty as it was partially his fault or maybe because he wants to feel and be seen a superior.
Later though, when Mercutio begins to realise he is about to die, his humorous character changes to fuming rage and begins to shout a curse to both families, “a plague a’both your houses!” he repeats this three times to make sure it becomes a curse.
The death of Mercutio surprises and shocks the audience as a brave, devoted, witty friend of Romeo, and a favourable character, is killed by Tybalt.
Tybalt is a hot headed and aggressive character, he is always looking for a fight. “Fetch me my rapier, boy” shows that even in a public place his respect for his family has no limits.
His character shown throughout the play is the same; a violent and livid character, even though he ignored Mercutio’s taunts in the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1, he remains calm and patient, “Mercutio thou consort with Romeo.” He remains calm as he may feel Mercutio is not worth his efforts, instead he’d like to seek and begin a fight with Romeo.
When he does eventually seek Romeo he immediately wants revenge, “boy this shall not excuse the injuries…” he comes across as superior and merciless.
Tybalt persistently keeps the ancient grudge against the Montagues, using small mistakes like Romeo inviting himself to the Capulets party, as an excuse to have a fight.
The death of Tybalt is quite dramatic, as the audience do not expect to simultaneous deaths, and the deaths of important characters. Also the fact that Romeo a weak and pacifist character as just killed Tybalt, a strong and hot-headed character.
Benvolio’s role throughout the play is partially to narrate and recall the main events for the other characters to understand. Throughout the play Benvolio is a sensible and wise character. In the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1 he prepares us for an argument, this is because he tries to persuade Mercutio to leave the area, “good Mercutio, lets retire… … these hot days, is the mad blood stirring” Benvolio senses something bad is about to happen. Benvolio knows a fight will occur if they meet with the Capulets.
Whilst Mercutio and Tybalt taunt and mock one another, Benvolio scarcely speaks, however when Tybalt is killed he immediately takes control and he instructs Romeo to “be gone.” Although he takes control, he doesn’t try to prevent anything in the first place, he only speaks when actions becomes drastic.
Lastly he informs the news and deaths to the Prince and families “there lies the man, slain by young Romeo, that slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.” He is not biased and recalls all the events honestly.
Finally, the Prince, even though he has a small part in the play it is however an important role, in the play he has the largest status on stage as he represents the law. He makes the audience feel inferior in status “where are the vile beginners of this fray?” shows he instantly takes control of the situation.
For once the Prince is more important than the Capulets or Montagues, who always compete with one another
The Princes sense of order is logical and fair “Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio.”
Tension is built when all characters on stage are blaming one another, but when the Prince does enter the tension is diffused, this is because he claims no one is right and no one is wrong.
In conclusion Shakespeare’s use of language and actions in Act 3 Scene 1 is not efficiently or powerfully developed much throughout the play.
However the only character that develops and changes in Act 3 Scene 1 dramatically is Romeo, in the same scene he is shown as two different characters firstly a he is shown calm and pacifist character, however a later on in the same scene he is a livid murderer.
Characters such as Mercutio, Tybalt and Benvolio’s language and actions are not changed in Act 3 Scene 1; these characters have remained the same throughout the play for example Mercutio remains sarcastic and witty however Tybalt remains furious and hot headed.
Shakespeare does try to use language and actions in Act 3 Scene 1 to develop characters however there isn’t a major change.
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