There is no such thing as a late comer in Shakespeare's time. The audience may arrive at any time and will always be allowed to assume their places. If people wish to see only one act, or maybe they have a meeting they can't get out of that overruns, then there is no difficulty about them turning up whenever they are ready, and indeed leaving at any time they so choose.
Moving on to dramatic irony in the play 'Romeo and Juliet' firstly, I am going to give a definition of dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs in fiction or drama where the reader knows more about the true state of affairs than the characters do. 'Romeo and Juliet' have lots of examples of dramatic irony. The biggest example is in the prologue. A prologue is a kind of blurb that can give you a vague idea on what the play is about and what is about to happen. It could decide if the play was to be a success or a failure. A sonnet was the form in which Shakespeare wrote his prologue, a short, fourteen-line poem that was made up of quatrains.
The prologue of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ gives us an idea of what the story is about. We are given nearly all of the key points about the play. We know, from what is said in the prologue, even before the play begins that the two lovers will die. They are immediately set across to the audience as star-crossed lovers. This seems to suggest that the lovers will be ill fated. This dramatic irony will immediately draw the audience into the story by setting up expectations of what will happen to the lovers in the play. Consequently, the audience will be aware of any reference in the language used, to love and death, as they know these are important themes in the play.
In act -1- (scenes 1-4) the audience are drawn more into the story. As they know that Rosaline is not the one that Romeo is going to be infatuated with. They know this from the prologue, as Romeo is supposed to fall in love with someone who loves him back. They also use their common sense, as the play's title is 'Romeo and Juliet'; therefore, the other half of the story is going to be about Juliet. This piece of dramatic irony would make the audience more aware to any suggestions to the name 'Juliet'. It will also give them a sense of expectation.
Act 1 scene 4 (lines 106-11) creates tension for the audience. As it mentions death for the first time in the play – after the prologue. In this piece of dramatic irony Romeo looks uneasily into the future and has premonition of death. His tone is ominous, filled with foreboding. He uses legal language prophesying that his premature ('untimely') death will result from what he begins tonight ('date') by going to the Capulet's feast. His life will be the penalty ('forfeit') he must pay when the time is up ('expire the term'). As a result, the audience will be setting up expectations. The audiences know that Romeo's end is going to be death; they also know that going to the Capulet's party means meeting their daughter and falling in love with her. Hence, the audience will consider this as the lovers' first step towards death. And so it will amplify their sense of expectation.
Shakespeare used puns in act-1- scene 4 not only to enhance the effect of dramatic irony for the audience, but also as an entertaining device. Elizabethans were amused and fascinated by language, especially puns. However, nowadays theatergoers are more interested in stage decors and direction, as well as actors and costumes more than language used in script.
In act 1 scene -5- audience will take their first look at Juliet. Accordingly, they will assume each and every act of her as a step towards her fatal doom. Accordingly, suspense is created as audiences are setting up expectations. They know that the end of the lovers is going to be death, so they will be more affected by any suggestion to death in the language used.
Also in the scene dramatic irony used draws the audience into the story. As the two lovers Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time in the Capulet's party. The audience also know that Romeo and Juliet's love was destined for destruction .so the viewers will be aware of any death indications in the play, as it’s a major theme in the play.
Act 1 Scene 5 (line134) is the first time Juliet speaks in such a somber mood, imagining her death as her bridegroom. The metaphor is used to portray a strong sense of dramatic irony as the information spectators gained mainly from the prologue tells them of the death of the two lovers-" A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;". The audiences are already aware that both lovers have met and are from different families, and then they realize that they are the pair. Therefore, they are aware that they will take their lives.
In this play Shakespeare used images of death which symbolize sorrow. One example of such imagery involves the time when Romeo leaves the Capulet party and leaves Juliet behind (act 2-scene 1). He uses images of a lifeless body and death to show the sorrow he feels when he is not with his beloved Juliet. He shows that he cannot live without her when he says, "Can I go forward when my heart is here? Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out". In this way, death represents his inner sorrow. This piece of dramatic irony would draw the audience into the story by setting up expectations of what will happen. As they know that the lovers end is death.
In the same scene a basic dramatic irony occurs when the audiences know that Romeo is cheerless because he is away from his love Juliet. However, Bonvolio and Mercutio are teasing Romeo because they think that his misery is because of his unrequited love for Rosaline. As a result, the audiences would be setting up expectations of what will happen.
The dramatic irony in act 2 scene 2 is based around the fact of Juliet being unwary of Romeo's presence in the Capulet house, as she declares her love for Romeo (lines 33- 36). The use of dramatic irony here is able to build up suspense for the audience, as well as they will be setting up anticipation as they are waiting for something to happen.
Act 2 scene 3 (lines 91 and 92) includes a very important case of dramatic irony. In these two lines Friar Lawrence reveals that Romeo and Juliet's covenant marriage will eventually lead to virtue amongst both families. This is a source of dramatic irony as the audiences know from the prologue that death will arise, whereas Romeo has no idea. This will result apprehension to be created as the viewers will be waiting for something to happen.
In scene 5 of act 2 Juliet is very abrupt and inquisitive towards the Nurse. In spite of Juliet's anxiety the Nurse still remains webbed within her own issues as she stresses her aches and pains. Dramatic irony present in this scene is portrayed from the action s of the Nurse as she continually seems to deviate from Juliet's ceaseless demands concerning the response from her beloved Romeo. The way the Nurse's behaviour is presented in this scene foreshadows her knowledge concerning Juliet's questions. This scene revolves around Juliet and her constant worry expressed in her language. The effect to the audience is a comical moment as the Nurse deliberately keeps Juliet in suspense.
In act 2 scene 6 (lines 1 and 2) Friar Lawrence says that he wants the heavens to smile upon this holy act so that they are not punished with sadness later. This indicates that something bad is going to happen in the play that only audiences know about. In lines (9-15) Friar Lawrence made a suggestion that Romeo and Juliet's love is going to end tragically. He used an image of joyous love as fire and gunpowder which destroy ('consume') at the very moment ('triumph') of meeting ('kiss'). This example of dramatic irony will affect the addressees' prospects of what is going to happen later on in the play. Therefore, the addressees will be affected by any reference to death as they know this is an important subject in the play.
Act -3- scene 1 is pivotal in the play as it sees bloodshed of two major characters which leads to the parting of the two star crossed lovers. The first example of dramatic irony in this scene takes place when Romeo tries to tell Tybalt how much he loves him but Tybalt can't understand, not knowing that Romeo and his cousin Juliet were bride and groom. However, viewers acknowledge the reason for why Romeo wants to create peace rather than violence, as he does not want to create any hazards with the Capulet family. Hence, the audiences will be more attentive; they also set up anticipation as they are waiting for something to occur.
The second and the most important piece of dramatic irony in this scene is when Mercutio is stabbed. Dramatic irony is created by the repetition of the statement "A plague o' both your houses!" by the wounded Mercutio. He curses both households, unaware that the victim of his curse will be his dear companion and his lady Juliet. This will create a moment of sympathy between the audiences, as they know that Romeo and Juliet are suffering only because it occurred to happen that they were destined by the stars to bad fortune. The audiences would be also waiting for Romeo to do something to Tybalt, to take revenge for instance. So suspense is building up for them.
In lines 110 and 111 Romeo fears that the evil outcomes ('black fate') of today's violence lie in the future ('Moe (more) days'). Personally I think this is the point in the play where the tragedy really begins. I think so because after this point a lot of dreadful events start to occur. These few lines are the height of dramatic irony as Romeo is for-telling his own future. This case of dramatic irony creates tension for the audiences; they would also be setting up prospect as they are waiting for something to happen. Moreover, Shakespeare has heightened the effect of dramatic irony by making the two lines rhyme at the end.
Following this, there are numerous references to death in this scene. Another example of dramatic irony is when Romeo threatens Tybalt that either he or Tybalt would have to die (line 120). Above all, the audiences already acknowledge that Romeo is going to die. On the other hand, Romeo is unaware that he is speaking of his own death.
Furthermore, in line 140 Lady Capulet confirms' shed blood of Montague'. She is focusing the matter on none other than Romeo. The repetition of the word blood also enhances the effect of death as well as dramatic irony. This is an example of dramatic irony as the audiences know that Lady Capulet's daughter Juliet is married to Romeo which she is clueless about.
Finally, when the Prince announces his final decision over the whole matter, he also threatens to kill Romeo. The concluding account from the prince includes rhyming phrases as this is the solution made for the whole massacre, therefore it is important.
This scene ( scene 1) is very important for the viewers as they will recognize that they are approaching the end of the play. As almost all the prophesies in the prologue has occurred and they are only waiting for the lovers fatal doom to end both the strife of their families, as well as the whole play. This scene also affects the audiences in numerous ways, they would be more focused, and it will also give them a sense of expectation of what will happen later on in the play. Moreover, they will be also affected by the language as death is mentions a lot in this scene. Thus, tension is building up.
In scene 2 Juliet's thirty-one lines epithalamium (wedding song) in which she describes how much she is filled with love for Romeo, longing for the night to come so that will come to her "untalked of and unseen", is an example of dramatic irony as it shows her unawareness of both Tybalt's death, as well as Romeo's banishment. This will generate an instant of sympathy among the audiences, as they know she is would get devastated by these awful news. Suspense would be created too as the audiences would wonder whether Juliet is still going to love Romeo after she hears these news?
In scene 3 Romeo seems in despair with his sentence of banishment. He would rather die than be exiled. Exile brings more terror to him; he also can't imagine not being behind Verona's walls and being in the big bad world full of torture and suffering. He doesn't want to leave his "heaven" with Juliet. He keeps referring to exile being like death to the Friar. And When the Nurse enters, Romeo asks her if Juliet thinks him an old murderer and does she still love him. All the Nurse says is that she weeps and weeps making Romeo try and kill himself. Then she told him that he is to see Juliet to say farewell and when he has her ring the Nurse has passed on to him he is comforted. The idea of seeing Juliet again has consoled him, as he loves her so much. This instance of dramatic irony has a great effect on the audiences, as they know from the prologue that Romeo is going to die. This dramatic irony will attract the audience more to the play. They also would be wondering whether Romeo is going to make it to Juliet's bedchamber or would the Prince find out and kill him?
Scene 4 is a very short scene, maybe the shortest in the whole play. However, it contains a great number of dramatic irony. In this scene when everyone on the stage thinks that Juliet is crying over Tybalt's death, the viewers' know that the crying is for Romeo. Another example of dramatic irony is when Capulet arranges Juliet's marriage with Paris in two days time (line 20). As he thought she needs a man so she would not be so sad, and the whole time she has her marriage with Romeo of which everyone else is clueless about. Shakespeare used the repetition of the word 'Thursday' to show how important this word is , so if any one of the audiences was chatting or if they were not paying attention this device will successfully draw them into the story , as they would expect something vital to occur on this day . Also such repetition increases the tension in the plot as well as it adds to the sense of fast moving action.
Act 3 scene 5 contains a very fundamental piece of dramatic irony. In this scene Juliet has a vision of Romeo lying at the bottom of a tomb as if he were dead (lines 55-57). This dramatic irony will fill the audience with apprehension feelings. They also would be setting up expectations of what will happen. I think that Shakespeare wrote this vision to act as a Premonition. Because later on in the play Romeo lays in the tomb with Juliet.
In the same scene Juliet turns to her mother in desperation when Lord Capulet shouts and gets angry with her not wanting to marry Paris. She says to her mother, "Or if you do not, make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Tybalt lies". This shows her devotion to Romeo to the audience but to her mother and father this would show a sign of stubbornness.
Also when Juliet and Lady Capulet are having a conversation of Romeo (line 75-102) there is a use of double entendre by Juliet. This double meaning adds a bit more drama and excitement to this part of the play as the audiences know Juliet is talking of her love for Romeo, whereas her mother thinks she is speaking of Romeo in a disapproving manner. This is the main part of Juliet's and Lady Capulet's speeches in those lines which shows the double meanings clearly, Lady Capulet says "That is because the traitor murderer lives."
Juliet replies with, "Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands".
Lady Capulet also vows to send a man to Mantua to have Romeo killed (lines 86-92). This adds drama as the audience become anxious and excited to see if she carries out her plan and has Romeo killed.
The very beginning of act four Paris thinks that Juliet will want to marry him, Juliet we know despises Paris. This is given away by her double meaning replies to him; for instance, Juliet says line 19 to Paris when he calls her his wife, amplifying to him that she will only be his wife after the wedding. The audience, however know that when she says that she is already a wife to Romeo. It is important to them because it doesn't only tell them she does not plan to be a wife to Paris but also makes them be unsure how she will avoid marriage. Therefore, suspense is created.
In line 21 Juliet's remark echoes one of the major themes running through the play which is fate. This will catch the attention of the audiences to the play as they know that she is ill- fated from the prologue.
Act 4 scene 3 creates a great deal of suspense for the audiences as it contains countless cases of dramatic irony. One of which is when Juliet deliberately deceives her mother and the Nurse. In lines 1-12 she once again uses language rich in double meaning. Dramatic irony occurs when both the Nurse and lady Capulet think that she is in high spirits since she is gong to marry Paris. Whereas, the audiences know why she is happy as Friar Lawrence helped her to achieve a way to escape her marriage to Paris and remain with her love Romeo by drinking the sleeping potion.
In Romeo and Juliet, poison very often represents death. One example of where images of poison represent death occurs after Juliet receives a potion from Friar Lawrence that is supposed to put her to sleep for forty-two hours. Before she takes it, she expresses a portentous doubt about her trust in the cunning Friar's plan. In lines 15 to 58 Juliet is filled with fearful thoughts. Is the Friar honest? Will she wake in the tomb before Romeo comes? Or will she go mad with dread? She also worries about the possibility of this potion actually being a pernicious poison, which could lead to her untimely death. Nevertheless she drinks the potion. The spectators, on the other hand know that she is going to die anyway at the end because of the love between her and Romeo. Yet, this occurrence of dramatic irony would grab the audience's attention to the play, as they would be setting expectations to what will happen next. This would also fill them with apprehension feelings as they may be afraid that any of Juliet's misgivings would come true.
In act 4 scene 4 line 25 the audiences know that caplet's orders to the Nurse to weak Juliet are no use because she has taken the potion. This piece of dramatic irony will anticipate the viewers as they become eager to know what will happen and how everyone will react.
Scene 5 of act 4 is very dramatic. The dramatic irony that is running through it is based on the fact that Juliet is faking her death. All of the characters-with the exception of the Friar, think that she is dead. The audiences, on the other hand know that the appearance of the death is only the effect of the potion. Another example of dramatic irony occurs when the audiences know that none of the characters know about the Friar's involvement in Juliet's death, not only but also they know that he came up with the whole plan himself. This will have a huge impact on the audience as they would be drawn more into the story to know what will happen next. In addition, images of death are used to represent sorrow when Lord Capulet finds Juliet "dead." To express his great sorrow for the sudden, unexpected death of his only daughter, he speaks of her death. He says, "Death lies on her like an untimely frost Upon the sweetest flower of all the field". This piece is dramatic as the viewers know that Juliet is not dead, but she is only in a deep sleep, which Lord Capulet is ignorant about. Thus, it will give the viewers a sense of expectation.
Act 5 scene 1 is loaded with dramatic irony especially ones which are related to death. This is because we are approaching the end of the play. One of which have effect when Romeo talks joyfully of his strange dream in Mantua (lines 1-8). In this dream he visualized Juliet seeing him dead, and then bringing him to life with a kiss on his lips. This will make the audiences set up expectations as they know that the lovers are not destined to live as they have bad fortune. Another example of dramatic irony happens when Balthasar says to Romeo that Juliet is dead in the Capulets monument (lines 17-23). Conversely, the audiences know that she has taken the sleeping potion to look dead. This will create frustration as the audiences know that everything is about to go wrong. This therefore will build up suspense as the audience will be waiting for Romeo's reaction. This scene contains another illustration of imagery where poison symbolizes death; it is when Romeo goes to the Apothecary. After hearing news of Juliet's "death," Romeo talks of procuring poison to wreak death upon himself. He says, "A dram of poison... That the life-weary taker may fall dead" (lines 60-62). This will make the audiences fell sorry for him as he has no free will, yet his life is controlled by dreadful fate. This will also make them set up expectations to what will happen next.
In act 5 scene three ( lines 59- 53) Paris thinks that Romeo has come to do bad things to the bodies of the Capulet monument, the reader knows that Romeo had come in love and because of Paris not knowing this it ends up in his death. Again the viewers feel sorry for Paris as he got involved in the death list that related to Romeo and Juliet's 'death marked love'.
In the same scene images of death are used to portray extreme sorrow when Romeo visits the Capulet tomb. There, he finds Juliet who is feigning death, and laments the loss of his one true love. He talks of death when he says, "Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath" (line 92). Before he kills himself, he also speaks of death as he states, "A dateless bargain to engrossing death!...Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die" (lines 115-120). This talk of death produces a mood of sorrow within the viewers.
Friar Lawrence is on his way to get Juliet so that Romeo could be informed. But Romeo is already there still totally clueless and drinks poison to his death. Friar Lawrence arrives where dead Romeo is and Juliet wakes up and asks where Romeo is when he is there the whole time. This creates suspense as the audience will be waiting to see Juliet's response when she sees deceased Romeo. Finally, images of poison are used to represent death when Romeo is found dead by Juliet. When Juliet awakes from her sleep and realizes Romeo has died, she discerns that poison has been the cause. This is evident as she states, "Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end" (line 162). In this passage, images of poison represent a weapon for death. This will draw the audience more into the story to know what will happen next. It will also create tension as they know that Juliet is going to end up dying just as well, so they will be setting up expectation to how is it going to occur.
The end of this play is loaded with dramatic irony, which is the climax of the play and the part of the play that the audiences are most into.
From the very beginning, audiences knew that the love of Romeo and Juliet was destined to be destroyed. It is tragic that both these people had to die. There were circumstances throughout the course of their lives that led up to their deaths. If their parent’s had not been feuding and if the Nurse had not betrayed Juliet, the outcome of this story would have been different, although fate could not be changed. This was the most important factor in the lives of Romeo and Juliet. In my opinion the quote that accurately summarizes this play is, “For never was there a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” (Lines 309-310).
To conclude, this play was great and very tragic. It also contains a great deal of dramatic irony, most of which is death related. Shakespeare also used many devises to achieve a more interesting and enjoyable play. For instance he used imagery to invoke an image in the reader's mind. In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses images of poison and death to create moods of death and sorrow. He also used repetition to mark important events. As at the time when Shakespeare wrote his plays people were new comers to the theater experience. And since they start to make noise as they get board from standing, Shakespeare had to use repletion to keep them in touch with the plays major events, keep them watching and more importantly to keep his business running.
William Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony affected his audience as well as modern audience in plenteous ways. Sometimes it was used to draw the audiences and to make them more attentive for example the use of prologue. He also used it a lot in this play in particular to make the audiences more aware of the references in the language used to certain themes or events for instance he used images of poison to remind the audiences of the lovers doom. Again dramatic irony was used in some occasions to build up tension for the audiences by making them set up anticipation as they are waiting for something to happen as it was used in scene 2 of act 2 where Juliet was revealed her love for Romeo unconscious of his presence.
Finally, Shakespeare used dramatic irony to make sure that all his audiences are paying attention to the play as well as an entertaining device, making his plays more interesting and attentive therefore more attended.
