The Importance of Act 3 Scene 1 in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?
The play of Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in the
1590s. The play was performed at the theatre in Elizabethan London. It
cost around 1 pence to stand if you wanted a seat you had to pay two
pence if you had lots of money you could get a seat in a enclosed
room. In Shakespeare’s day women were looked down on and men were
superior. Only men were allowed to act at the theatre because of the
views on women at that time. The play itself was set around the time
it was written in the Italian City of Verona. The play is about two
‘star crossed lovers’ Romeo and Juliet who are from two different
families the Montagues and the Capulets these two families have been
feuding for years.
When the play begins Romeo is madly in love with Roseline and Juliet’s
parents want her to marry Paris. Romeo Mercutio and Benvolio decide to
go to the Capulets ball were Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Over the
next few days their love grows for each other and they get married.
Tybalt one of the Capulets is very annoyed that Romeo came to the ball
and goes looking for revenge. This leads to the most important scene
in the play act 3 scene 1.
At the beginning of act 3 scene 1 Benvolio and Mercutio are talking
Benvolio wants to leave.
‘I pray thee good Mercutio lets retire?’
Benvolio wants to leave because the Capulets are coming looking for a
fight.
‘We shall not scape a brawl’.
The capulets arrive and approach the Montagues looking for Romeo
‘Mercutio thou consortest with Romeo?’
Romeo arrives.
‘Well peace be with you sir, here comes my man’.
Tybalt approaches Romeo.
Tybalt starts of by insulting Romeo.
‘Thou art a villain’.
Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight.
‘Therefore turn and draw?’
Romeo rejects the challenge, Mercutio believes Romeo has made the