What makes Act 3 Scene 1 such a powerful And important part in the play 'Romeo and Juliet?'

Kimberley Fulcher

What makes Act 3 Scene 1 such a powerful

And important part in the play ‘Romeo and Juliet?’

The dramatic nature of Act 3 Scene 1 has an increasing effect on the rest of the play; it is a crucial turning point. The fact that Tybalt and Mercutio are now dead means that the Prince’s decree will now have to go ahead. The conflict leads directly out of the elements and change the course of the play. Romeo is now banned (exiled) – this means that he will no longer be able to see Juliet. Also, if Romeo had not have killed Tybalt, he would have been executed as he murdered Mercutio. However, these events had to take place, because they all link in with the idea that we cannot control out own fate and that it is written in the stars. I think that one of the main reasons why Act 3 Scene 1 is such a powerful moment in the play is due to the fact that it reflects on ‘destiny’. These deaths were not needed yet they were unstoppable. Throughout the play, a lot of different emotions are explored, especially in the fight scene and this keeps the audience gripped. The true extent of pride and ancient family feuds is realised here – and it shows how situations can suddenly spiral out of control. This sets the scene for a key point – that the conflict is dramatically inevitable - that it’s written in the stars. The events, which occur in this scene, are related to earlier scenes and each plays an important part in creating this tension.

The Prologue is written as a sonnet, and sonnets were a popular form of poetry in Shakespeare's time; they were a traditional and respected poetic form that usually dealt with a theme of requited love. In the Prologue we are presented with a brief summary of the play. (There is an ancient feud, the cause of which is not made known, but the result is a violent and bloody conflict between the two families.) Strangely, the summary includes mention of the tragic ending. Even though we know what the outcome of the play will be, we still want things to work out for Romeo and Juliet. We begin to look for someone to blame... Who is responsible for this tragedy? It is then that we begin to realise that the guilt does not rest with any one character. The prologue introduces us to the key themes explored in the play as a whole. Many important ideas are introduced here. The phrase ‘star crossed lovers’ is clear within the prologue and this relates to the aspect of fate and that everything is written in the stars. The stars were thought to control people’s destinies and the play describes the web of fate in which Romeo and Juliet become entangled. It is able to prepare us for the conflict between the families and the ‘star crossed lovers.’

Also, the prologue introduces the idea of ‘anger and hate’ as many dramatic words play a key role, for example the words ‘rage’ and ‘fatal’. This foreshadows the events, which happen in Act 3 Scene 1. The fact that the whole play stems from an ‘ancient grudge’ meaning that everything which occurs in this play is beyond the characters’ power and they have no control over the situation. Also, the fact that the whole play seems ‘misadventured’ portrays feelings of ambiguity and it’s not as the audience wants it to be.

Shakespeare is clear to leave the audience in no doubt that they are watching a tragedy where the heroes will die. The purpose of the prologue is to set the scene of the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. It refers to the ill-fated couple that will be punished for challenging the fates, or stars.

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Similarly, the Prince’s warning plays an extremely important part in the play, as it builds to the prologue, and gives one mans opinions to the two families. This means that the audience will instantly be able to relate to it. Prince Escalus is the law keeper, and is therefore very highly respected and he refers to the two families as ‘his subjects.’ He refers to the Montagues and the Capulets, as ‘beasts’ giving the impression that they are like animals and their behaviour is barbaric. This has a definite link with Act 3 Scene 1 and this violent behaviour is proved. Also, the subjects obviously quarrel a lot – being ‘enemies to peace.’ This means that for a very long time – there has been a feud between these familes and this prevents everyone from living peacefully together. Also, This third ‘fight’ between the Capulets and the Montagues came of nothing as it says they were ‘bred of an airy word’ This also relates to Act1, Scene 3 as this scene starts off as jus a disagreement – and then turns into something much more devastating. Also, I think that the key idea in this speech – is the fact that if there is just one more fight – lives will be lost, hence the phrase ‘if you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace.’ However, perhaps the way he wants to use violence to stop violence is not such a good idea. This is because it will just end up with more violence and bloodshed. This use of foreshadowing is very effective here as is adds to the dramatic nature of the theme of the play and emphasises the bitterness between the families.

I also understand, that by discovering the importance of Act 3, Scene 1, I will have to look at how other scenes play a key role into the build up on tension. Act 1, Scene 5, the Capulets decide to throw a party and Romeo goes along – uninvited. Perhaps the most important factor in this part of the play is the fact that Romeo and Juliet meet. Romeo sees Juliet, and immediately falls in love with her beauty, and any thoughts for Rosaline disappear. Capulet's speech to Paris (in 1.2) suggests that Juliet has not been out of her house much (only, perhaps, to go to worship and confession at Friar Lawrence's cell). Maybe this is why Paris (a family friend) has noticed her, but Romeo has no idea who she is. Immediately before this scene, Romeo has spoken of his fear that some terrible “consequence yet hanging in the stars” shall begin at “this night's revels” (referring to the Capulet's party.) This foreshadows the events that will happen in Act 3 Scene 1. Tybalt's behaviour has also been prepared for by the brawl in the play's first scene. Two very important aspects in this scene are;

The way Romeo falls in love with Juliet at first sight.
And the way this contrasts with Tybalt's anger and hatred.

The contrast in the emotions of Romeo and Tybalt are extremely apparent in this scene. This keeps the audience gripped and also reflects on light and dark. This foreshadows the events in Act 3 Scene 1, as it becomes clear that a fight will occur. A key point in this scene is the conversation between Capulet and Tybalt. Tybalt hears Romeo’s voice and realizes that there are Montague’s present and he tells a servant to bring his sword. Capulet may dislike the Montagues, but he is trying to obey the Prince's command. But as a host, he cannot allow even an enemy to be attacked under his own roof. And, he tells Tybalt, Romeo is ‘virtuous and well-governed’ Tybalt is angry at losing the chance for a fight, and blames Romeo for this, especially when he is made to look silly by Capulet, who tells him off and calls him a ‘saucy boy’. This means Tybalt will feel embarrassed and want to get his own back on Romeo. Tybalt agrees to keep the peace, but vows that he will not let this insult pass. This builds up on the dramatic tension as this is also foreshadowing, as there is a more than likely chance that Tybalt will want revenge.

Act 3 Scene 1 itself is very important as Shakespeare gives us many clues as to what will happen. It is clearly led from the actions earlier on in the play. He is able to build the tension and create a strong impact on the audience. The audience is brought back to the reality of the streets of Verona by this violent scene. Here in these streets, it is the law of the sword that prevails. ‘The day is hot.’ This reflects with the mood everyone is in – a hot, fiery, boiling, angry frustrated mood. This use of pathetic fallacy builds up tension right from the start, as the audience are able to relate to this and take into account the moods of the characters. As Mercutio and Benvolio are walking down the street, they have a ‘joke’ about getting into a fight. Mercutio is having a friendly banter with Benvolio – accusing him of being aggressive and wanting a fight. This is also called foreshadowing which is an indication that something will happen. Perhaps hinting that a fight will occur and brings an uncertain atmosphere and adds to the tension. This engages the audience’s interest as it gradually builds up. Tybalt is looking for Romeo because he is angry at the fact Romeo gatecrashed his party the other night – this portrays a strong sense of pride. Shakespeare develops considerable tension in the scene when Romeo enters. When Romeo tells Tybalt of ‘the reason that I have to love thee,’ the audience becomes immediately aware of the effect that this will have on Tybalt at this point in the play, and the danger of conflict seems inevitable. This becomes a turning point in the scene and it increases its effect from dramatic irony – unlike Tybalt – the audience knows that Romeo has secretly got married to Juliet; and unlike Romeo, we know just how focused and angry Tybalt has been beforehand. This has a definite impact on the tension within the scene because the audience knows that Romeo will be in a good mood and not want to fight. Therefore this makes Tybalt even angrier with Romeo.

Also, Mercutio seems adamant that he will not give in, by saying ‘I will not move for no mans pleasure.’ He comes across as being very sure of himself by using the word ‘I’ – this portrays Mercutio as a stubborn character and adds to the uncertainty – as the audience knows that Mercutio and Tybalt are like two immovable forces. It is clear that Romeo does not want a conflict as he says ‘therefore farewell’. Meaning he wants to end this argument as soon as possible. With these two contrasting feelings from the opposing sides, this ‘clash’ in personality has a dramatic effect on building the tension. Clearly, Mercutio seems outraged at the fact Romeo doesn’t want to fight. He says ‘o calm, dishonourable, vile submission.’ Revealing, at this point he feels that it’s his own duty to fight Tybalt – due to his own sense of pride and character.

This scene also uses language, which is used very effectively for dramatising the situation. Firstly, he plays on his name ‘rat catcher…King of cats...nine lives’. He ridicules Tybalt's supposed skill in fencing ‘Alla stoccata…Come, sir, your passado’ Tybalt calls Romeo “boy” more than once – this is an extremely patronising, and adds to the dramatic tension of the scene. A villain in earlier times was a common person - so the name, applied to a nobleman like Romeo, would be an insult. In calling him ‘my man’ Tybalt speaks of him as if he were a servant - which is why Mercutio says he won't “wear” Tybalt's “livery” (the uniform of his servant). By biting back, Mercutio is obviously threatened by Tybalt’s remarks and seems almost pressured by his own self-pride into beating him. These words and events seem almost inevitable to the conflict. All of the tension and foreshadowing from earlier scene gather to a climax point, where frustrations seem to go out of control. The true ‘fatal’ concequences are realised here when Tybalt kills Mercutio. Mercutio’s last words are also extremely effective and powerful as they are basically repeating the words of the prologue. “A plague” is a powerful curse in Verona (the plague is in the city) and the audience would find it effective as it brings an eerie message, which has been carried on throughout the play. It’s referring to fate and destiny as being like a ‘plague’, which no one can control as it takes over lives. This link between Act 3 Scene 1 and the Prologue makes the idea of ‘destiny’ even more apparent.

Another theme of the play that is strong in this scene is the idea that we are not in control of our lives (the Friar will say to Juliet later: “A greater power than we can contradict/Hath thwarted our intents”). The big "fate" line is, Romeo's ‘O, I am fortune's fool.’ Romeo realises at the point where he kills Tybalt that to some degree his life is out of his control. He ascribes the control to a thing called ‘fortune’, which is the same thing as ‘fate’. Romeo entered into this scene being peace loving and conciliatory. He didn't want to fight with Tybalt. Things beyond his control conspired against him. Mercutio picks a fight with Tybalt, and, accidentally, Romeo manages to thrust Mercutio, a fine swordsman, in the way of Tybalt's sword by the very act, ironically, of trying to separate the two. With the death of Mercutio, much changes. Including Romeo's emotional state at the time, for his peace turns to rage, and he takes up the role of being Mercutio's avenger. Note that right after Mercutio's death Romeo says: "This day's black fate on more days doth depend..." Romeo knows fate has entered into the equation of his life, and he must play "the fool," or the jester, as he has absolutely no control. The fight scene is chaotic and it is clear that passion outweighs reason, and the deaths are needless. Romeo’s cry is in desperation and frustration due to his misfortune in having to kill his wife’s cousin and getting himself banished. Romeo blames fate for his misfortune whereas Mercutio in his dying speech curses the two families rather than a larger force. His curse will soon come to fruition on both houses.

Romeo’s killing of Tybalt was carried out in the heat of the moment and had he the time to ponder the situation he may have acted differently. Romeo’s action has threatened the public order of Verona and the Prince has no alternative but to act decisively. The danger now for Romeo in continuing to meet Juliet is increased because he has to avoid the authorities as well as the Capulets and this puts even greater pressure on the families.

Shakespeare’s good use of foreshadowing in the scenes leading up to Act 3 Scene 1 are able to build up the tension extremely well. I feel that if tension had not been built earlier on in the play, Act 3 Scene 1 would not have had such a dramatic effect. Instead, all of the aspects of the prologue and the Prince’s speech come to light and the play suddenly strikes the audience of being not only about love, but also of fate and destiny.