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The "unlook'd-for sport" is the arrival of Romeo and his companions.
I believe that act three, scene one was written to shock the audience. During the previous scene Romeo and Juliet were married by the friar. This makes the atmosphere calm and relaxed. In addition the prologue quotes “pair of star crossed lovers take their life”, meaning that the audience are aware of the fact that Romeo and Juliet are going to die. Compiling all the evidence, the quote, the previous scene, the content atmosphere i believe that act 3, scene one is there to shock the audience with Mercutio’s and Tybalt’s Death.
The scene starts of using the dramatic device tension. Mercutio and Benvolio in the beginning of act three, scene one creates a tension filled atmosphere by arguing over a difference of opinion. The action of Mercutio and Benvolio unbalances the atmosphere. The effect of the unstable atmosphere, causes dramatic tension, which unsettles the audience, resulting in anticipation as to what could happen next.
The next dramatic devices that are used are conflict and dramatic irony, caused by the entrance of Tybalt and Romeo. The scene progresses with Tybalt constant insults Insults back in the fifteenth century were not taken lightly. As soon as Tybalt sees Romeo he instantly insults and undermines him, “boy” meaning that he is not strong enough to call himself a man, “villain” meaning peasant, which was a big insults if you were rich. The other insults were thrown at Tybalt by Mercutio ”alla stoccata”, however these insults were said not to offend but to get Tybalt to fight Mercutio. The effect of the insults is that it shows the historical culture of 15th century people.
Intermission is made by Mercutio; witty banter is thrown in each direction until the situation takes a turn for the worst. Romeo intervenes in the sword fight between Mercutio and Tybalt; resulting in Tybalt “accidentally” stabbing Mercutio. The conflict in this scene gives the audience an early indication that something terrible is about to happen. As Tybalt doesn’t know that Romeo is married to Juliet and the audience does, this creates dramatic irony. The effect this has on the audience is that it makes them feel sorry for Romeo. As Romeo is in a conciliatory and has done nothing but love Tybalt and
“tender the Capulet name”
it also has a structural effect on the rest of the play as two more character have been taken out of the picture. Therefore Shakespeare has to make the story even more interesting.
We can see this from the way that Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to create tension and conflict. Shakespeare includes Pathetic fallacy, Foreshadowing, Puns and Dramatic Irony to add to this effect. At the beginning of the play Romeo is portrayed as a romantic poet, wanting only peace with his fellow friends. Tybalt was seen as the main character for violence and seen as the man of action throughout the film whilst Mercutio was known as the witty joker not knowing the seriousness of Tybalt’s actions and words that would then lead to Mercutio’s death. The peaking point of this scene is the death of Mercutio; this death was tragic as he was seen as the entertainer and the fact that he was involved with either one of the feuding houses adds to the emotion of his death. It could be said that his death was the turning point of the play, as from is death onwards Romeo was seen as ‘Fortunes fool’. There are clues of the tragic ending to this scene from the very start just to mention one Benvolio comments on the weather:
"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring."
BBC
‘It has been scientifically proven that hot weather and humidity caused hormones to become abnormally active. It is proven that the level of violence related crimes is significantly higher during times of abnormal heat.
As soon as benvolio mentions a fight, the audience are meant to get a ‘gut feeling’ something is going to happen; they already are aware that Tybalt is an antagonistic character so it is easy to predict the possible outcome of this scene. Shakespeare builds up tension in this scene by:
- Using prophetic language
- The word quarrel is repeated
- Using dramatic irony
The end of the scene also adds to dramatic impact. As Act 3 Scene 1 closes, Tybolt’s and Mercutio are freshly dead and their bodies are still warm, and Romeo is literally running for his life in sudden realisation of what he has done. Yet Shakespeare instantly switches to Juliet, sitting on her own waiting impatiently for County Paris who she is newly wed to. She knows nothing of what has happened, and her head is full of dreams of love. A theatre audience cannot help but feel sympathy for her, and anticipation to find out what has come of Romeo.
Shakespeare also enhances the drama by switching scenes frequently, this creates a dramatic effect, and keeps the audience drawn in and keeps tension running by sometimes almost leaving it on a cliff hanger. Another clever devise I have noticed is with each scene change there is a change in mood: Eg. Comedy to tragedy or violence to love.
In Elizabethan times it was very much a patriarchal society
‘’A patriarchal society is one whereby men are the decision-makers and hold positions of power and prestige, and have the power to define reality and common situations.’’
This fact immediately boosts tension as the audience are aware that Juliet’s father wishes for her to be wed to County Paris
The conversation between Romeo and Juliet at the beginning of the act is also important; the discussion about the true nature of the bird outside the window. Is intended to aid the audience in understanding the levels of adoration they share however, there is a note of sadness: just as they couldn't overturn the social prejudice that keeps them apart, they can't turn dawn into night. They must be kept apart.
Juliet's conversation with her mother is in this scene full of twists and turns; Juliet appears to be agreeing with her mother by condemning Romeo and wishing for his death, but the true meaning of her words is just below the surface.