English: Shakespeare Coursework Assignment

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English Shakespeare Coursework Assignment

Q. How does Shakespeare make Romeo and Juliet dramatically interesting for the audience? Refer to the first act in detail.

A. William Shakespeare used many devices and techniques in order to make the play dramatically effective for the audience and to develop the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

One device which Shakespeare uses which is successful in gaining the interest of the audience is the use of a sonnet. The sonnet is at the start of the play and consists of 14 lines with alternate line rhyming. Shakespeare’s decision to include a sonnet at the start of the play is unusual because it takes away the element of surprise by telling the audience the main plot of the story and how the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet would develop before the play is performed. Shakespeare deliberately includes a sonnet at the beginning of the play to engage the interest of the audience and for the uneducated people to have an understanding of what would happen in the course of the play.

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Another technique which Shakespeare uses for making the play dramatically interesting for the audience is the use of conflict. Shakespeare uses conflict throughout the play to keep the audience on their toes. However, the audience would be expecting conflict from the start of the play because in the sonnet, it says “From ancient grudge break to new mutiny” and “The fearful passage of their death marked love.” This tells the audience that Romeo’s family (the Montagues) and Juliet’s family (the Capulets) have been enemies and that Romeo and Juliet go against their families wishes and embark on a relationship.

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