Discuss how Shakespeare uses dramatic techniques to build tension and create sympathy for Juliet in act 3 scene 5

Set in Verona, Romeo and Juliet follows the tale of two lovers as they struggle to be together, keeping their love secret secret from their warring families. In Act 3 Scene 5, Romeo must lave Verona and Juliet after being banished. However, Juliet's family soon bring news of her arranged marriage with Paris. This triggers a heated argument that ends when Capulet threatens to disown Juliet. Angry and upset, Juliet decides to visit Friar Laurence, if he can't find a fix for her problem, she tells the audience that she will kill herself. During this pivotal scene, Shakespeare uses many dramatic techniques that create sympathy for Juliet and tension within the scene.

When the scene begins, Romeo and Juliet have woken up together for what could be the final time. This creates a tense atmosphere between the two lovers where they are torn between Romeo being “gone and live or stay and die”. In their passionate discussion they use the nightingale and the lark as representatives of light and dark. These images promote the contrasting sides of their relationship: their affectionate love hindered by their family's feud. Juliet's worries grow as the time of Romeos departure draws closer. She has an ominous insight into their future “now though art so low, as one dead in the bottom of the tomb”. This gives the audience a clue as to what may happen at the end of the play. After Romeo has departed, Juliet performs a soliloquy where she voices her fears over whether she will see Romeo again “ I hope thou wilt not keep him long” This creates a bond between Juliet and the audience and gives them an insight as to what her real feelings are.

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Soon after Romeo leaves, Lady Capulet enters the room and addresses Juliet “Why, how now, Juliet!”. Juliet replies in a manner that is meant to prevent further conversation as she wants to be left alone “Madam, I am not well”. This also shows the uncomfortable relationship between Lady Capulet and Juliet as Juliet calls her mother “Madam”. This shows the audience the tension between the daughter and mother. “Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss” is further proof of Juliet's attempts to be left alone to weep over Romeo. Another reason she may want her mother to leave is that she know she could not tell her mother an outright lie and is forced to only lie to prevent her mother finding out about Romeo. As Lady Capulet informs Juliet of the arranged marriage there is a dramatic irony that the audience know about the marriage of Romeo and Juliet whereas Lady Capulet is unaware.”The gallant, young and noble gentleman” Lady Capulet uses words to describe Paris that Juliet would use for Romeo, this creates tension as she announce the good news. To end her announcement, Lady Capulet uses the word “joyful” to describe the marriage. In Juliet's reply, she uses this exact same word in a negative context to emphasise the fact that this is not joyful news. The audience know that Lady Capulet is unaware of Juliets marriage with Romeo and can see how Juliet is using her word for two purposes. Both to show her feelings and to not tell her mother outright lies.

Soon after Lady Capulet's decree, Capulet enters the room and immediately comforts Juliet “evermore showering, in one little body”. He shows lots of sympathy for Juliet in this speech as he believes she is upset about the untimely death of Tybalt. However, Upon finding out that Juliet has refused to marry Paris, the mood of the scene changes dramatically. Capulet shouts “Is she not proud? Doth she not count herself blest” however he does not speak directly to her preferring to use the word “she” rather than “you”. This promotes a tense atmosphere between Juliet and Capulet. In response to Capulet's anger, Juliet resorts to begging “Good father, I beseech you on my knees” but Capulet just ignores her pleas. This creates sympathy for Juliet as she is being punished for doing nothing wrong and nothing she can do or say can prevent Capulet's anger. Another way sympathy is created for Juliet is the undeserved use of rude words used to describe her. “Green-sickness carrion” is an example of these crude describing words. After Capulet leaves, Juliet begs Lady Capulet to “Delay this marriage for a month, a week” however, coldly, Lady Capulet replies “Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee”. Sympathy is abundant for Juliet here as she has not committed a crime nor spoken a bad word to either parent yet she has been left to suffer and neither parent wishes to help her. Here the audience will be involved in Juliet's emotions and feelings as she tries to work out what to do.

As a final hope, Juliet turns to the Nurse who has always been a mother figure to her “O nurse, how shall this be prevented” however the nurse tells Juliet that “I think it best you married with the county”. This means that even the Nurse who has always been there for her, has decided to give advice against what Juliet wants. The sympathy for Juliet grows even further as now her last refuge of hope within her family has not given her the help she needed and now, she must feel truly alone. As the final speech within the scene, Juliet performs a soliloquy that expresses her displeasure towards the members of her family “Ancient Damnation! O most wicked fiend” Furthermore, she expresses the fact that she would rather die than marry Paris “myself have the power to die”. This may give the audience an idea of what may happen later on in the play. The effect of her being alone on the stage creates a close relationship between Juliet and the audience as it is as if she is speaking directly to the audience and can release her innermost secrets.

In conclusion, Shakespeare uses many techniques to build tension and create sympathy for Juliet. One way he creates sympathy is by emphasising her attempts and pleas at trying to prevent the arranged marriage going ahead however she is ignored and forced, against her will, to marry Paris. Shakespeare also uses dramatic irony to build up tension within the scene. One example is the audience knowing about Juliet weeping over the departure of Romeo and Lady Capulet walks in, comforting Juliet over the death of Tybalt. All the techniques used add together to create a scene with great tension and large amounts of sympathy for Juliet.

Second Draft By David Bruce