Analysis of Act Three Scene One of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Analysis of Act Three Scene One of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The dramatic nature of Act 3 Scene 1 has an increasing effect on the

rest of the play; it is a crucial turning point. The fact that Tybalt

and Mercutio are now dead means that the Prince’s decree will now have

to go ahead. The conflict leads directly out of the elements and

change the course of the play. Romeo is now banned (exiled) – this

means that he will no longer be able to see Juliet. Also, if Romeo had

not have killed Tybalt, he would have been executed as he murdered

Mercutio. However, these events had to take place, because they all

link in with the idea that we cannot control out own fate and that it

is written in the stars. I think that one of the main reasons why Act

3 Scene 1 is such a powerful moment in the play is due to the fact

that it reflects on ‘destiny’. These deaths were not needed yet they

were unstoppable. Throughout the play, a lot of different emotions are

explored, especially in the fight scene and this keeps the audience

gripped. The true extent of pride and ancient family feuds is realised

here – and it shows how situations can suddenly spiral out of control.

This sets the scene for a key point – that the conflict is

dramatically inevitable - that it’s written in the stars. The events,

which occur in this scene, are related to earlier scenes and each

plays an important part in creating this tension.

The Prologue is written as a sonnet, and sonnets were a popular form

of poetry in Shakespeare's time; they were a traditional and respected

poetic form that usually dealt with a theme of requited love. In the

Prologue we are presented ...

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...f the moment

and had he the time to ponder the situation he may have acted

differently. Romeo’s action has threatened the public order of Verona

and the Prince has no alternative but to act decisively. The danger

now for Romeo in continuing to meet Juliet is increased because he has

to avoid the authorities as well as the Capulets and this puts even

greater pressure on the families.

Shakespeare’s good use of foreshadowing in the scenes leading up to

Act 3 Scene 1 are able to build up the tension extremely well. I feel

that if tension had not been built earlier on in the play, Act 3 Scene

1 would not have had such a dramatic effect. Instead, all of the

aspects of the prologue and the Prince’s speech come to light and the

play suddenly strikes the audience of being not only about love, but

also of fate and destiny.