The dramatic impact of Act 3 Scene 1 on the audience in Romeo and Juliet.

The dramatic impact of Act 3 Scene 1 on the audience in Romeo and Juliet

In act 3 scene 1 the characters frequently change this creates dramatic impact. Drama is the moments of change that could be in the following such as character, mood, atmosphere and plot. These factors provoke a response from the audience. Impact is the response to surprise, reaction and shock. From which could be said is the impression the audience gets from these affects. Dramatic impact provokes interest and responses that are key elements in act 3 scene 1 where shock, reaction, changes in mood and atmosphere come into play.

Changes in characters mood, thoughts, actions and attributes in Act 3 Scene 1

Romeo’s attitude at the beginning of the scene is a positive one and he is trying to calm the situation down. This could be because in the last scene he just got married to Juliet and now he is related to Tybalt. Therefore marriage has changed him from a member of a gang into a gentler and more considerate character this is best shown when he says, “O sweet Juliet thy beauty hath made me effeminate, and in my temper softened various steel”. When he says this he is referring to Juliet, she has made him effeminate meaning womanly so this is corresponding to all the characteristics of being a woman the main one being gentle and soft. The next big change comes with a confrontation between Mercutio and Tybalt leading to Mercutio being killed. He now wants to revenge his death as it could be said friendship is very important to him because he has been a gentler character from the beginning of the scene. Also this can be backed up when he draws his sword on Tybalt as he was not a character to draw swords so quickly before. Another change comes after he has revenged Mercutio’s death and killed Tybalt but becomes aware of the implications of his actions. This is when he says, “Oh I am fortunes fool”. Meaning that he has been rushed into killing Tybalt and this also shows the speed of the play as it has all happened so quickly with no time to access the consequences. Consequences ultimately being the prince’s decision right at the beginning of the play to banish anyone caught fighting again. At the end of the scene he runs away with no longer the same courage and goes back to Juliet and being considerate.

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Mercutio at the beginning of the scene is dominant, clever and over confidant. This is best shown when he is told that the Capulet’s are approaching he replies “By my heel I care not”. Showing that he is uncaring, unconcerned and has a lot of bravado. It is suggested that they exchange words with the Capulet’s, “couple it with a word and blow” he is saying that they will talk but will be looking for trouble. He wants to inevitably fight, as a fight to him is action and entertainment. His big change comes when he has been stabbed he says, “Aye, aye, a scratch, a scratch marry, this enough”. The scratch is a much less term than a blow that he used earlier on meaning that this is totally unexpected. Scratch could also be used as the king of cats Tybalt gave it to him repetition is also used as he is trying to convince himself of what has happened.

Another change comes when he is dying and he says, “A plague of both your houses” so he is blaming both the Capulet’s and the Montague’s. Ugly and disturbing comes to the mind, when he says this the importance being that he is not the joker anymore. Mercutio was the comic relief, the joker in the play if he’s dead the audience must think that the play is going to be more serious from now on. The impact of this being that he makes the audience change their minds about the whole play.

Tybalt is aggressive as he is the “king of cats” ringleader in fights he is also a sly fighter and stubborn. It also seems that somehow he survives every fight. He goes up to the Montague’s maybe to challenge their presence at the party he is the one who picks the fight and remains aggressive throughout so he doesn’t change at all.

Themes in Act 3 Scene 1

One major theme in this scene is juxtaposition of love and hate. This is best shown when Romeo says

“Tybalt, the reason that I love to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain am I none, therefore farewell, I see thou knowest me not.”

He hates Tybalt deep down but his love for Juliet is much stronger so actually love has the upper hand. There is also confusion as Juliet loves him as a person but hates him being a Montague this is clearly shown when she says “My only love sprung from my only hate.” Her only love is Romeo and only hate is that of him being a Montague.

“I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise.” Here Romeo is arguing against Tybalt. Tybalt can’t understand how love and hate can co-exist. Injured gives further ideas of hate, trouble and pain. Tybalt only feels hate he doesn’t change. This scene is about tension, confusion, conflict and turmoil. This also gives the audience tension so dramatic impact is created through the story.

Ignorance is another major theme in this scene and takes place a few times throughout. An example of this is when Tybalt says, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better than this. Thou art a villain.” Her Tybalt doesn’t know or give Romeo a chance to prove why they should be friendlier towards each other. He doesn’t bother to find out the facts as he dies before he can do so he remains ignorant of the facts. When he refers to Romeo as a villain he also judges him without proof or knowledge.