How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in Order to Make it s - page 5
Keywords: How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in Order to Make it such an Exciting Important Scene?, romeo and Juliet shakespeare
By Mose. on 01/09/2008
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 5 of 7 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise…And so good Capulet, which name I tender, as dearly as my own, be satifised”. Here the audience observe that Romeo is being very friendly towards the Capulets. The audience begin to question his sincerity, and interestingly impose that the reasons for his boosted friendliness is due to the love he has for Juliet. They may conclude that he is “love struck”. This is important to the scene as the audience soon learn that this heartfelt “friendliness” towards the Capulets will soon diminish. This angers Mercutio and insists that withdrawing from the fight, he should count himself as a coward. “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! Alla stoccate carries it away.” Mercutio’s use of three statements builds up an angry rhythm suggesting to the audience that Mercutio is likely to act on this anger. Therfore Mercutio’s increased anger raises tension within the audience. The dramatic stage direction of Mercutio drawing his sword immediately excites the audience, as they anticipate the nearing fight! The Elizabethan audience would detest Romeo’s actions and support Mercutio in inciting a fight, as they saw bloody violence as sheer entertainment. They fight but Romeo pleads for both parties to put down their weapons. “Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons, gentlemen, for a shame, forbear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath forbidden, bandying in Verona streets, hold Tybalt! Good Mercutio!” The mention of the Prince reminds the audience of previous events in the play. This is interesting and adds tension and suspense as the audience know of the crude penalty that the Prince has issued, if the two feuding families are caught fighting again.
Mercutio is tragically stabbed in the fight. “I am hurt. A plague o’ both your houses! I am sped. Is he gone, and hath nothing?” Here Mercutio curses both households. Within the Elizabethan audience, superstition and other elements of fate were taken seriously as the Elizabethan era practiced witchcraft etc. Therefore especially within the Elizabethan audience this would have indefinitely created much tension, however this would not be as effective in a modern day audience as the threat of a plague would not comprehend peoples fears as we don’t necessarily have plagues. The stabbing of Mercutio is very dramatic, and leaves the audience in great suspense. This is a very important scene as in forthcoming events, crude decisions are made based on the death
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