Romeo and Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet Coursework

In this piece of writing I will explain why Act III Scene V is one of the most important scenes in the play.

The scene in question is extremely important in the whole outcome of the play because it is the last time Juliet will see Romeo alive. Also in this scene, Juliet goes against her father’s word for the very first time.

Juliet’s surprise at her mother’s sudden arrival is acceptable, as her mother never visits her in her room. The reason for this is that Juliet was brought up by the Nurse, and so has a much closer relationship with her that her mother. ‘ What unaccustom’d cause procures her hither’.

Lady Capulet has little experience of comforting children as the nurse has always done it for her. So, when she enters Juliet’s room she treats her like a small child, by bringing the new of marriage proposal with a slow almost mocking tone in her voice. ‘ But now I’ll tell thee joyful tidings, girl’. Lady Capulet is unintelligent because she interprets Juliet’s weeping because of the death of Tybalt where it is actually Romeo she weeps for. ‘Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death?’.

 

Shakespeare’s use of ambiguous language links in with my point in the last paragraph. Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is grieving for Tybalt but it is Romeo instead.

In this scene the characters should express this language in a way so that the person whom they are talking to should be unaware of the double meaning.

 Lady Capulet’s relationship with Juliet is not at all flowing. In previous scenes Juliet rarely sees her mother apart from at mealtimes and special occasion (i.e. parties). When Juliet does see her mother, conversation is limited to short answers as if both Juliet and Lady Capulet aren’t trying hard enough to create a better relationship. Juliet has to be a humble daughter so she can’t speak out of turn. Pride and dignity have been hammered into her from the day she could talk but in my opinion, this isn’t her true self. Before the marriage proposal Lady Capulet had nothing to do with her daughter and left everything down to the nurse but since Paris has stated his wishes, Lady Capulet has been trying to become more involved with Juliet.

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In the next part of the scene, Lord Capulet enters the room. He also believes that Juliet is weeping for her cousin’s death. ‘What, still in tears?’. At this point he is in a very happy and joyful mood. The reason for this is that he thinks that Lady Capulet has told Juliet the ‘good’ news and that Juliet has taken it well. His attitude is also very positive because he thinks he has found Juliet a high-class match. His tone changes as soon as he hears from Lady Capulet that Juliet has rejected his proposal. He is now ...

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