Act three scene one is vital as a turning point in the play. The deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt escalate the Montague and Capulet feud to new heights. The play opens with Benvolio pleading with Mercutio to retire before the capulets arrive as the hot weather may provoke a fight.
” I pray thee good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, and the capulets are abroad, and if we meet, we shall not ‘scape a brawl”
This introduction is important because Benvolio’s fear immediately shows atmosphere and tension between the two families. Also this shows a little about the characters personalities and their roles. For example Benvolio is portrayed as a peace keeper because he tries to avoid a brawl and does not wish to fight. When Romeo tries to make peace with Tybalt, the reader is made to believe that trouble is inevitable. Due to Romeo’s feelings for Juliet he doesn’t wish to fight or bring any harm to Tybalt or the once hated capulets who now are his family.
"And so, good Capulet, which name I tender
as dearly as mine own, be satisfied."
Mercutio is discussed by Romeo’s refusal to fight Tybalt. And takes it upon himself to accept Tybalt duel. When Romeo steps in between Mercutio and Tybalt, Tybalt viscously thrusts at Mercutio under Romeo’s arm fatally wounding Mercutio. Mercutio tries to play down the seriousness of his injury so not to give tybalt any satisfaction calling it a scratch.
“Ay, ay a scratch, marry tis enough”
When Tybalt re-appears after the murder of Mercutio the atmosphere dramatically changes. A once joyful atmosphere portrayed by Shakespeare through the marriage of Romeo and Juliet has suddenly been shattered as a result of death and pointless rivalry. Romeo is angered and Tybalt is too proud to back away from a fight. So to revenge the death of Mercutio Romeo challenges Tybalt. Shakespeare uses powerful language, referring to “this day’s black fate” to emphasise the impact of the event. Romeo then says that either he or tybalt will join mercutio (in death) making the audience aware that tragic events have really begun. The Atmosphere then changes again going from anger to despair to feelings of regret and guilt shown in the words of Romeo
“I am fortune’s fool" brings a mood of despair”
Until this scene the play has not seemed like a tragedy. It has appeared more like a romance suggesting when the young lovers wed that all should be well. Yet the prologue warned us of what is to come and the play hinges on this scene. With the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt tragedy is introduced and we are led to the final scenes of anguish in the Capulet tomb.
In conclusion to the question I believe that Act three scene one is a very important scene as a turning point in the play. Up to this point in the play the characters lives appear normal and straight forward. However as soon as love and relationship come in to the equation this causes chaos. As their love escalates so does the turmoil resulting in two murders and two tragic deaths. These events could have been avoided if there wasn’t such an intense and violent feud between the two families.
