Romeo & Juliet.
The story of Romeo and Juliet is based on the inability to straddle in the two worlds of love and honour, the two are mutually exclusive. In Act three, scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare has managed to combine action, drama and tension.
Act three, scene one commenced on the sweltering streets of Verona. Benvolio was being mocked by Mercutio stating that he is extraordinarily quarrelsome. When Tybalt enters we soon see that these are characteristics of Mercutio himself because Mercutio purposefully provoked him. However, an infuriated Tybalt was not disturbed since he was looking for Romeo due to his intrusion at the Capulet party. Romeo did not see reason in fighting Tybalt as they were related now. Mercutio was dismayed because he assumed that Romeo was being a coward when he refused to fight but he wasn’t, he was just being true to his love. Mercutio then drew his sword on Tybalt. Romeo tried to prevent this and Tybalt fatally wounds Mercutio. To avenge his friend’s death he fought and killed Tybalt. And as result Romeo is then exiled from Verona.
Act three, scene one is a pivotal point in the play mainly because in the previous scene Romeo and Juliet exchanged marriage vows. Thus, this scene is a tragic one as Romeo is driven away from Verona and his love Juliet. Throughout the second act a sense of happiness was created but suddenly the scene then becomes tragic. Tybalt’s death could have been prevented by Romeo but he was unwise and decided to maintain his codes of honour rather than be true to his love and this then brought about the death of his friend Mercutio. This is sadly ironic.
Benvolio’s opening lines immediately create tension, interest and excitement initially through Shakespeare’s use of foreshadowing, the irony becomes too dark. This is evident in Benvolio’s line “And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl”. It is implied here that a feud may commence if Benvolio and Mercutio are spotted by Tybalt. Tension and interest is created which is unlike the solemn atmosphere portrayed in the previous scene where Romeo and Juliet’s marriage took place. A “brawl” would immensely damage the calm atmosphere and would eventually make it even harder for the two families to be re-united. In his speech, Benvolio portrays the day as “hot”; here a sense of uneasiness was created within the members of the public. Benvolio also described the day as “mad blood stirring”. The use of “mad” indicates a livid, indignant atmosphere and the use of “blood” implies that the scene may have been bloodstained and repugnant. Also “Blood” itself could reflect pain and the colour red is synonymous with danger.
When Tybalt enters we know that tension will come with him. Mercutio does not calm the situation and his response, reflects his care free and fearless attitude. He addressed Tybalt with “By my heel, I care not”. The tone instantly changes and excitement is developed. Mercutio’s fearless character creates a sense of danger and suspense as he instigates and provokes a “brawl”. The audience are then unsure of the happenings. Tybalt then refers to Mercutio and Benvolio as “gentlemen”. As a result of Tybalt’s sarcasm and demanding tone the atmosphere automatically becomes apprehensive. Tybalt tests Mercutio’s patience as they both compete for power. Mercutio retaliates, “Could you not take some occasion without giving?” here he refuses to give respect to someone that does not respect others and depicts the feud between the families. Tybalt retorted, “Mercutio thou consortest with Romeo”, he refers to Mercutio as a musician, which in the era of Shakespeare was a low status position. Aggravated Mercutio, being a proud man increased the tension to a peek by replying, “I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I”. The phrase also suggests Mercutio is an uncompromising and valiant character and Shakespeare portrayed him as a protagonist. The verbal sparring between Tybalt and Mercutio is the prelude of the arrival of Romeo, Tybalt’s real target. The audience are then completely oblivious as to what is going to happen subsequently, so a setting of suspense is present since it is unknown who will be wounded. Mercutio deliberately misunderstood Tybalt when he says of Romeo, “Here comes my man” which means his servant instead of the intended person he was looking for, Mercutio often turns Tybalt’s words into derogatory comments. When Tybalt said, “Thou consortest with Romeo” again he twists it to mean servant and not friend.
The audience are aware that Romeo has just got married to Juliet. There is a sense of belief, that for this reason he will not fight Tybalt but Tybalt does not want to leave without a fight. Dramatic irony had been used in this scene to create further apprehension; this was evident when Romeo rejects the fight. Depicted in, “Therefore farewell I see that knowest me not!” we can see that Romeo expresses his reluctance to fight Tybalt. It is assumed that this is Romeo’s cowardice which he is not because he is married to Juliet now. In Tybalt’s desperate attempt for a fight, he spits vituperation at him calling him a “boy” and a “villain”, expecting to infuriate Romeo and gain a reaction. However Romeo responded in a submissive manner which took everyone by surprise. Mercutio dismayed by this, declared “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” Mercutio regarded Romeo as being “dishonourable” but his reaction is unexpected and leaves Romeo in a baffled position as he is related to Tybalt and does not want to fight. Romeo’s emotions are evident when he says, “Be satisfied”. His refusal expresses suspense and produces a catalyst to the situation and finalises that he shall not be convinced in to fighting.
