How Does Shakespeare Create Tension in Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Romeo and Juliet'?

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How Does Shakespeare Create Tension in Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Romeo and Juliet'?

-By Alex Howes

In 1595-6, William Shakespeare wrote a play of romance and tragedy, which was a great turning point in his career. Although he had already written a large number of historical plays, Romeo and Juliet was the great romantic tragedy which helped put Shakespeare in the history books, and established him as a serious playwright.

'Romeo and Juliet' is a story of fate, revenge, and two star-crossed lovers (as mentioned in the prologue). A prologue was needed in many Elizabethan plays as the audience needed background information to understand what the story was about. In 'Romeo and Juliet', the prologue or 'opening' suggests that the play is generally focused more on the fact of a long feud between two old families (Montagues and Capulets), than two star-crossed lovers. It shows this by starting the prologue with 'Two households, both alike in dignity', this emphasizes that the story is already focused on the two families, rather than Romeo and Juliet.

At the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare uses pathetic fallacy to create a sense of anger and irascibility, and to give the audience an idea of future events. He does this by Benvolio saying “For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring”, this signifies that the heat and humidity of the Verona days are making everyone short-tempered and easily provoked. “Mad blood stirring” gives the audience the idea of a fight or battle about to happen, which builds the tension even further.

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 The phrase 'Mad blood' is personification, giving the blood human characteristics, and then coupled with 'Stirring' gives the idea that the heat is interfering with the characters' usual behaviour.  

While Benvolio then tries to persuade Mercutio to retire from public view, he argues “The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, and, if we meet, we shall not 'scape a brawl,” This shows Benvolio's weariness for a meeting with the Capulets, while in contrast Mercutio is eager for a confrontation with them, as he believes causing a fight would mean the Capulets' death.

During Act 3, Scene 1 ...

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