In modern times plays would attract mainly the upper-class people rather than the lower-class as entrance fees were higher. The play would hold modern audiences in stasis as the play is not seen as so shocking. The impact on the audience is blander as devices and the use of language are no longer used.
The turning point in this play is where teasing started and gradually turned sour to where insults took place, this took a twist and turned violent, where everything goes wrong and there’s no going back.
Act 3 scene 1 is a very important scene of the whole play of Romeo and Juliet. There are various mixed emotions that the audience will endure throughout this scene this scene has great structure and is one of the main parts played because it is the first of two scenes, where the act of death has occurred, and where the characters show their violent characteristic between the two families.
Act 3 scene 1 has a lot of contrast because of it variety of language and style. The language throughout this scene changes to indicate the mood of the scene as well as its development throughout. You can see that Shakespeare has purposely used less verses and speech in this particular scene than others because it is a very active scene of violence and death. There is a variety of language used in the play for example prose is used quite a lot in this scene. It signifies insanity and the characters state of mind. “Good king of cats” not only is this seen as prose but also an example of an insult, that Mercutio says to Tybalt. He first refers to Tybalt as a “rat-catcher” because he is the “king of cats”, the leader of the pack. He says this to start trouble with Tybalt, so that they’d have a fight, but neither of them knows the consequences.
Violent language is another very important form of dialect in act 3 scene 1, especially the scene where Mercutio and Tybalt fight. “We shall not scape a brawl. For now these hot days: is mad blood stirring” Benvolio says this to keep the peace in his society, but still speaks of violence at the same time. Words such as ‘brawl’ and ‘mad blood stirring’ are violent words which create the tension and builds up drama around. As well as violet language, aggressive language is also used. It creates a disliking atmosphere from the character to the characters around them. Banvolio says “with a martial scorn” Benvoilio speaks to both families, applying that Mercutio’s death was done aggressively in disrespect by Tybalt.
Metaphors have purposely been used, to create the atmosphere of the situation. Mercutio implies to both families “A plague o’ both your houses”. After Mercutio gets stabbed, he says its nothing but “a scratch” but later admits that he has been ‘mortally wounded’. He is furious at both his best friend and his (Romeo’s) rival Tybalt. In anger he curses both of them and their families with ‘a dying mans curse’. He blames both families for him being wounded. This dialect from the play is a type of repetition as it is repeated three times during this scene.
Mockery is another form of language used in the play, it is not used as much but, the mockery builds up tension between the feuding characters. Mercutio mocks Tybalt by calling him “Alla stoccata” He provokes Tybalt with this nickname, trying to get a reaction out of him so that there would be a fight. Tybalt is insulted and tormented by this statement, so he is geared up for fighting him. Insults are also used in other ways as well, i.e. where Tybalt throws a classical insult to Romeo, also later in the play Rome is incensed and says “my reputation is stained with Tybalts slander,” which means he has just killed Tybalt with the blood of his death on his hands.
Although imagery is not a figure of language, in this scene it can be seen as a form of dialogue. All through act 3 scene 1 you can notice there is some imagery in the characters speech. One example is “I was hurt under your arm” Mercutio says this to Romeo explaining how he got stabbed and how it was partly his fault. Just from this dialect you can imagine how he was wounded, and also partly because of how he describes his cause of injury. It creates the atmosphere of violence and tragedy.
The stage craft within the play helps to express the dramatic importance of act 3 scene 1. This scene is in the middle of the play and is noticed as a crucial point. In this scene Mercutio and the Montague’s quarrel with the Capulet’s, this scene is just after Romeo and Juliet got married. He counts this as good news for him but would everyone else understand why they got married, he tries to tell everyone what he thinks is good new but instead a serious fight breaks out between Tybalt and Mercutio. It becomes dangerous when their weapons are drawn, which then results in the death of Romeo’s Best friend Mercutio. Romeos mood dramatically changes at this point “now Tybalt take the “villain” back again” Romeo is outraged and wants to fight Tybalt, and ends up killing him. Romeo is later banished from Verona as punishment, which leaves the two teenage lovers separated. Shakespeare has carefully arranged this scene to cause tension and contrast. Stagecraft is performed in a variety of media, but in this case it is a play and everything is performed through dialogue, scenes and stage directions, but they are meant to read rather than staged. A good example of this is when Mercutio gets stabbed from the fight, and has to leave as he has been ‘mortally wounded’ this is an example of a tragic exit.
Act 3 scene 1 is a key scene in Romeo and Juliet. This scene shows the consequences of hatred and feud and what can happen if it goes too far. Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to create tension and conflict. Shakespeare uses humorous effects, human characteristics and dramatic irony to create this. Dramatic irony indicates to the audience and characters, that the speaker expresses a meaning in a humorous or sarcastic way.
After Mercutio gets stabbed he states it’s nothing but “a scratch, a scratch” Mercutio thinks that Tybalt stabbed him because of him insulting Tybalt earlier.
Contrast as a dramtic device gives the effect of different points of views for instance Romeo and Tybalt’s quarrelling and Mercutios death, due to this, Tybalt says to Mercutio “well peace be with you sir, here comes my man” Tybalt says to Mercutio that he is not the person he wants to fight, then after later conversation with Mercutio, Romeo replies “Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such greeting” Here Romeo relies with an apology for not reacting the way he expected, in a angry tempered way.
Sudden entrances and exits create a great atmosphere depending on how they enter the scene or play and how they exit. In act 3 scene 1 there are not many sudden entrances, but as the scene starts you could take the beginning of where Mercutio, Benvolio and Romeo all enter joking around as an entrance. This automatically makes you see that these characters have a witty personality, but then things slowly start to change when they sense that their rivals the Capulet’s are about. From this part onwards there is a tempered atmosphere in the air between the two rivals. Unlike entrances there is a particular part in this scene where a sudden exit occurs twice in a row, and this is where Mercutio and Tybalt fight and Mercutio ends up wounded, so fuming Romeo takes revenge and kills Tybalt. These two deaths make this scene tragically emotional for other characters. Not only do Mercutio and Tybalt exit this scene and the whole play tragically, but Romeo also exits from this scene right up until the ending, because he has just killed his rival Tybalt, and the Prince will not allow this in his city and is banished, so Romeo departs from this scene.
Benvoilio as the narrator is another ‘other dramatic device’, because he has always been the peacemaker throughout act 3 scene 1, but he often comes out with violent words, especially when he explains the feud between Tybalt and Mercutio and then how Romeo ended Tybalt’s life in a revenging feud. From lines 156 to 179 Benvolio acts as the narrator, speaking how the fight broke out between Mercuio and Tybalt and then Romeo and Tybalt. He retells the story of how the two fights came about. With one hand…with the other…” Benvolio speaks about how extreme they were fighting. He says they were fighting with ‘swords and daggers’. “Comes back to Romeo, who had but newly entertained revenge…” Benvolio says that before Romeo took action, he thought about it for a moment and then took his revenge. At the end of his narration, Benvoilio swears on his life that he is telling the truth, this just proves that he is a good person and this explains why he is a peacemaker throughout the play.
All the characters in the play have different characteristics which makes this play complete and gives the emotion to it. Tybalt’s character does not change at any point before or during act 3 scene 1, because he acts as the villain and is always has been a fiery person.
Romeo’s character is kind, gentle and is a Loving person before act 3 scene 1, but during this scene he is gentle and loving for only half the scene until the death of his best friend Mercutio happens, and Romeo feels it’s his position to fight Tybalt back for killing Mercutio.
Mercutio’s character is very humorous, joking and sarcastic. Mercutio’s sarcasm can be seen as a mockery towards other characters, for instance the fight between himself and Tybalt. In act 3 scene 1, Mercutio is still humorous, joking and sarcastic during the scene but up until his death. Which Mercutio partly blames Romeo for, so he turns on him and makes Romeo feel he is disloyal.
Benvolio’s character is a hot headed, concerned, a good and loyal friend and a peace loving person, which does not change before or during Act 3 Scene 1. His characteristics stay the same as he tries to make peace in act 3 scene 1 between the rivalries.
Tybalt calls Romeo a villain “thou art villain” Tyablt purposely says this to Romeo so that he’d agree to duel, as Tybalt would have no regrets in slaying Romeo. This is a classic insult thrown at Romeo, which Romeo doesn’t react to. Romeo then explains why he can’t fight him, and says he is not a villain and that he doesn’t know him very well. Romeo then apologises for not reacting the way Tybalt expected. “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw” Tyablt says this because he feels angry and insulted by Romeo, so he insults him back with ‘Boy’. Tybalt thinks Romeo is mocking him and wants to duel him right away.
Romeo and Juliet are two young lovers who lose their lives due to forbidden love. In the whole play of Romeo and Juliet, the most common known theme that runs through the whole play is the theme of love. Love is a very major theme in this play. There are many types of love which appears during the play, for instance there is the quick and overwhelming love of passion. There is the opposite of passion, hatred. These types of love are recognizable in this play. One of type of love is the hated contractual love, meaning a decision is forced upon someone. Juliet is happily married to Romeo but is forced to marry Paris, if she didn’t she would be disowned by her family; she will be on the streets with no money or food and would no longer be a Capulet. This also raises issues of arranged marriage, and how love at first sight came about in the play, this acts as the base for the rest of the romantic story. Juliet had a very big decision to make; it was the streets or her family. This decision of marriage was forced upon her, and is an example of contractual love of Romeo and Juliet. This theme of love also includes the difference between love and hate, and how the Montague’s/Capulet’s rivalry prevent Romeo and Juliet from being together.
The main themes in act 3 scene 1, are mainly tragedy, violence and society at war. These themes are very significant. The violence in this scene makes this scene important because it results in death for two characters. The reason why violence breaks out is because of both families and their societies at war. This makes a big impact on the younger generations of these families, as they feel it is their right to fight as well. When both rivals meet in the streets Tybalt wants to fight but only with Romeo, but Romeo is not up for a fight as he has just married Tybalt’s cousin Juliet. Romeo feels that if he fights Tybalt, it would be like fighting one of his ‘kinsmen’ – his own kind. So Romeo’s best friend Mercutio can’t stand back and watch Romeo ruin his pride, so he fights for him. This is where the outcome becomes death for Mercutio. “I am hurt…I am sped” Mercutio says that he has been hurt, mortally wounded. He says he has been ‘sped’ meaning he is finished. So this is where the tragedy commences in the whole play and this scene.
The turning point in this play is where insults, mockery, teasing and threats were thrown from one another, which then all gradually turns bitter: Mercutio – “that shall make you dance” He says this as a threat, due to what Tybalt said to him. Mercutio takes it the wrong way and immediately fires a threat. Tybalt then insults Romeo “thou art a villain” Tybalt says that Romeo is a villain. Mercuito then mocks Tybalt with a nick name “Alla stoccata” Mercutio tries to get a reaction out of Tybalt with mocking him with this personalised nickname. There is no going back when everythinbg goes wrong and everything turns violent. The turning point of this scene is when Mercutio and Tybalt fight, leading up to Mercutio’s demise. It is the first of two parts where death has made its self known. The other is where the two families reveal their violent sides.
I conclude that in the earlier stages in the play, it changes from comedy to tragedy. We can still make out the comedy in act 3 scene 1, as Tybalt makes a joke about Mercutio saying “thou consortest with Romeo.” Also when Mercutio is dying, Mercutio still makes jokes “Ay a scratch, a scratch.” These jokes would have made the Elizabethan’s laugh.
Mercutio’s death becomes the turning point, and changes the play, this pivot’s on the line “O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead”, because Mercutio is the joker of the play so when he dies all the jokes die too, and so characters turn at this point. Romantic Romeo becomes Romeo the Violent, his revenge on Tybalt shows that tragedy will follow. We must consider the Princes warning, “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace.” This was said earlier in the play. The Prince banished Romeo instead of having him killed due to the death of both Mercutio and Tybalt. Before Mercutio dies he curses both families “A plague o’ both your houses”, Elizabethan audience’s believed in curses, they believed they had power, and due to the fact this curse was a dying mans curse made all the difference.
Romeo is now banished and Juliet is confused and scared because she had to pretend that she was dead, because she doesn’t want to marry Paris and is in love with Romeo. In some ways you could say that fate is against them because, since Romeo and Juliet have got married everything seems to be taking a turn for the worse. Juliet is confused because the only person she can love, was from the family which her parents hated.
The fact that the play has opposites can be seen as Romeo wanting to be friendly to Tybalt but in the end killing him, and Mercutio is great friends with Romeo, but curses him at the end, Mercutio fights because of the loving friendship he has for Romeo.
So we can see the importance of this scene because it shows where the play changes from comedy to tragedy and its important because characters change, and also Shakespeare changes the language to show the difference in comedy and tragedy.
Act 3 scene 1, is a significant scene as violence is used to create dramatic effect towards audiences. We can see that it starts from violence and turns to tragedy where someone gets killed, which gives a lot of quality to the play. This sends out a theatrical appearance where the audience get hooked in to the play. The audience become enthusiastic to know more about what’s going to happen.
In my opinion I think that act 3 scene 1, is a very interesting scene. It is very energetic and full of actions. This scene also allows you to see different sides of characters and how it results into death. The ending of this scene was a very astounding, and was the reason for wanting to read on. It was a great ending to the scene, and it gave dynamic to the rest of the play. The situations that came across in Romeo and Juliet could no longer or are very unlikely to happen today.
Not the essay!!!!
The situations found in Romeo and Juliet could no longer happen or are very unlikely to happen today.
In my opinion I think that Act 3 Scene 1 is by far the best scene in Romeo and Juliet because it shows many sides of the characters like Mercutio who is most of the time making a fool of someone he fought against Tybalt for Romeo, Romeo shows a loving nature towards Tybalt because he has just married Juliet, Tybalt’s cousin and does not want to start a fight between them and Tybalt not knowing this begins to think that Romeo is mocking him it is also the main turning point of the play because it ends with the banishment of Romeo from Verona by the Prince.
Imagine you are directing "Romeo and Juliet". Who would you want the
audience to blame for their deaths and how would you achieve this?
The person to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is partly Romeo
to blame himself. In my opinion I blame him for killing himself and
Juliet.
I think Romeo is too hasty and quick on his actions, I think this
because he is always running around if for an emergency or needs to
talk to someone. This occurs when he says, "O let us hence, I stand on
sudden haste". This shows that he is too quick and running around
looking for Friar Lawrence to tell him something. I think that he has
to calm down and not be so hasty and plan things instead of being too
quick.
If I was directing act 2 scene 3 I would have Romeo being quick and
falling and tripping everywhere. I would also have Romeo making the
vases and pots falling, with Romeo trying to catch them as they are
falling. The music I would have would be quick music such as techno
music or music that has lots of instruments playing at once.
Romeo again is fickle and is speedy when he sees Juliet for the first
time and falls in love with her. Romeo did not think about knowing
Juliet really good and I think it is true love at first sight. His
point of view of Juliet is when he says, "…Did my heart love till now?
Forswear it, sight!
Turning point
In Act 3 Scene 1, the violence results in the banishment of Romeo.
The purpose of this coursework is to explore how Shakespeare makes Act 3 Scene 1 exciting for the audience.
Act 3 Scene 1 is the main turning point of the play where it becomes a tragedy, the scene begins with Mercutio humouring everyone and then enters the happily married and love-struck Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt now that he has married Juliet, Tybalt thinks that Romeo is mocking him but still refuses so Mercutio decides to fight for Romeo because he has dishonoured himself, Romeo tries to stop them fighting but ends up getting Mercutio killed, filled by his rage he kills Tybalt, both families rush to where Tybalt and Mercutio lay dead the scene ends with the Prince declaring the banishment of Romeo.
Tybalt’s character does not change at any point before or during Act 3 Scene 1, because he is a fiery person.
Romeo’s character is kind, gentle, loving person before Act 3 Scene 1 but during the scene he is gentle and loving only for half the scene until the death of his best friend Mercutio when he avenges him.
Mercutio’s character is humourous, joking and sarcastic before Act 3 Scene 1 and is humourous, joking and sarcastic during the scene too up until his death which was because of Romeo when he suddenly turns on Romeo
Benvolio’s character is a hot headed, concerned, a good and loyal friend and a peace loving person which does not change before or during Act 3 Scene 1.
Tybalt calls Romeo a villain “Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford No better term than this, Thou art a villain” Tybalt calls Romeo a villain to coax him into duelling him but also because he will have no regrets in slaying him, becomes angry at Romeo “this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw” Tybalt says this because he thinks Romeo is mocking him and wants to duel him right away
Romeo tries to be nice to Tybalt “I do protest I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise.”, Romeo says this because he does not want to hurt a cousin he just gained through marriage to Juliet, Romeo is trying to stop Mercutio from duelling Tybalt “Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.” Romeo is so blinded by his love for Juliet that he does not want anyone to get hurt for something he does not want to do
Mercutio calls Romeo a coward “O calm, dishonourable vile submission:” Mercutio says this because Romeo decided to stand down like the common coward, he also tries to coax Tybalt into duelling him “(he draws) Tybalt, you rat catcher, will you walk?” he wants to fight Tybalt for Romeo instead,
Benvolio tries to persuade Mercutio into going home “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” Benvolio being a peace keeper did not want to stand by and watch Mercutio duel one of the Capulets of which there were many that hot afternoon and on a hot day you feel hot and upset because of the heat, tries to get the fight between Tybalt and Mercutio off the streets “We talk here in the public haunt of men: Either withdraw unto some private place, And reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.” Benvolio tries to move the fight off of the streets of Verona so that they cannot be watched by the public.
Shakespeare builds the tension in this scene by showing us aggressive sides to each of the characters for example Shakespeare makes Romeo try and befriend his enemy which enrages Tybalt who then fights Mercutio in place of Romeo and gets killed, Romeo is then enraged because of the death of his best friend and reacts to this by killing Tybalt. The audience having already seen this know that it can only end in tears for everyone.
In my opinion I think that Act 3 Scene 1 is by far the best scene in Romeo and Juliet because it shows many sides of the characters like Mercutio who is most of the time making a fool of someone he fought against Tybalt for Romeo, Romeo shows a loving nature towards Tybalt because he has just married Juliet, Tybalt’s cousin and does not want to start a fight between them and Tybalt not knowing this begins to think that Romeo is mocking him it is also the main turning point of the play because it ends with the banishment of Romeo from Verona by the Prince.
