Dramatic Effects in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Dramatic Effects in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet In the play Shakespeare creates dramatic effects to heighten emotions

and actions of the characters. By using a range of dramatic devices

Shakespeare can change the mood and setting of the play, this affects

how the audience react, and emphasise points.

These include dramatic irony for example, "I love thee more than canst

devise". Romeo quoted here whilst replying to Tybalt in response to a

fight. The quote tells us that he is a kind-hearted peaceful person

due to the word "love". The use of dramatic irony here is present as

the audience already knows why he was Tybalt. This is of course due to

the secret marriage between himself and Juliet. The use of dramatic

effects here show the hidden intentions and emotions of the

characters.

The scenes preceding Act 3 Scene 1 dealt with issues covered in

mystery, suspense and excitement. This scene comes as a welcome break

in the intense drama, for example the marriage and the secret entrance

to the Capulet party. The begging of the scene is wrote in prose, this

implies that the text is humours and is to be taken less serious than

the rest of the language. This unstructured way of writing leads the

audience into a false sense of security, as the following events are

dark, for example murder. This shocks the audience and emphasises the

effect as it is sudden.

The contrast in secrecy and humour, between the scenes is made more

prominent by Mercutio's quote, "thou wilt quarrel with a man for

cracking nut!", this referrers to the nature of Benvolio, as Mercutio

jokes and suggests pointless reasons for fighting, this also reveals