Act 3 Scene 1 as a Turning Point in the Play of Romeo and Juliet

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Act 3 Scene 1 as a Turning Point in the Play of Romeo and Juliet

The tragicall history of Romeus and Juliet was the name of the

narrative poem written two years before Shakespeare was born upon

which he based the play 'Romeo and Juliet'. The poem was written by

Arthur Brooke and published in 1562. It was translated from Italian

prose by Bandello in 1554. A popular story in Shakespeare's times

would be about two opposing families and these types of stories were

mostly popular in France and Italy. Protestant and Catholics were in

conflict from the basis of religious unrest when the play was written.

There was also political unrest in Shakespeare's times and there were

many different people competing for power. He was famous for building

the famous Globe theatre, which is still standing. Shakespeare was

also the lead figure of a group of actors called the Lord Chamberlains

men and later went on to become a famous play write.

When Shakespeare was writing Romeo and Juliet, most people believed

that the sun went round the earth. They were taught that this was a

divinely ordered scheme of things, and that in England God had

instituted a Church and ordained a Monarchy for the right government

of the land and the populace.

At the time, England was a Christian country. All children were

baptized, soon after they were born, into the Church of England; they

were taught the essentials of the Christian faith, and instructed in

their duty to God and to humankind. Marriages were performed, and

funerals conducted, only by the licensed clergy and in accordance with

the Church's rites and ceremonies.

The prologue of the play has taken a form of a sonnet. The audience

already know what the story is about. The prologue tells the audience

that in the play love is a victim of violence and that Romeo and

Juliet die. Up to the opening of Act 3:Scene 1 the emphasis has been

on love.

Benvolio seems like a peacemaker all the way through the play and his

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