Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story Essay Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story. It is about two star crossed lovers that are both in rival gangs one of these is Montegues and the other is Capulets. They marry to the disagreement of both gangs and cause conflict throughout. In the end they both die peacefully. The main themes of the play are conflict between the two gangs, the love of Romeo and Juliet and tragic losses. Romeo belongs to the Montegues gang, he is in love with Juliet, and he kills Tybalt and dies at the end of the play. Juliet belongs to the Capulet family; she is in love with Romeo and marries him. She takes a sleeping pill to avoid marrying Paris and pretend that she is dead and wakes to see Romeo dead beside her and commits suicide. Tybalt belongs to the Capulet gang, he is Juliets cousin he gets himself into a fight with Mercutio and kills him and is then killed by Romeo. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet is a dramatic love story specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Mercutio belongs to the Montegues, he is a friend of Romeos and is killed by Tybalt. Benvolio is also in the Montegues gang, he is a follower of Romeo. Section 1 Leading up to Act 3 Scene I there are many key events which influence the scene. The Prince has ordered that anyone caught fighting will be killed. Romeo and Juliets marriage takes place in secret. Tybalt has seen Romeo at his gangs ball which makes him angry. The key things we learn about the characters in Act 3 Scene 1 are that Mercutio is hot tempered and volatile, he would fight with anyone. Tybalt wants a fight with Romeo because he saw him at the Capulet ball. Mercutio and Tybalt have a fight and Mercutio is killed. After that Romeo intervenes and kills Tybalt for revenge. The audience learn that Mercutio is an angry sort of person and is keen to fight at the slightest provocation. It is also learned that Romeo cares dearly about his friends and is prepared to risk his life for them. He is also quite petty and weak as he blames Juliet for his feminine side. The learn that Tybalt is violent with an aggressive personality and is eager for a fight. In terms of plot the audience learn that the Police will be after Romeo for the crime he has committed, this is a turning point for the tragedy that follows, because the fact that Romeo vanishes to Verona so the Police do not capture him made Juliet take the sleeping potion which lead to Romeo actually committing suicide and Juliet following suit. Section 2 At the start of the scene Benvolio and Mercutio have a friendly conversation which turns to more aggressive banter. Benvolio uses violent imagery although he says he does not want conflict. The hot weather will make people hot tempered and agitated. The heat will make them more stressed and up for a fight. For now hot days is the mal blood stirring . This is an example of aggressive imagery because he is mentioning hot tempers and blood. Mercutio replies by accusing Benvolio of being someone who walks into a pub not wanting a fight but as soon as he has a drink he is up for a fight. Basically saying that Benvolio is usually quick tempered and eager for a fight. Benvolios motivations and aims are to protect Romeo and make sure he doesnt get involved in any violence and fighting. He also wants to stop all violence in the street because he knows the consequences will be because of rules the prince has set. Section 3 Tybalts entrance is important and dramatic because he was angry with Romeo earlier in the play as he crashed the Capulets ball. This could spark off some banter maybe leading to a fight. Mercutios character is hot tempered and aggressive. His reactions to Tybalt are that he starts to twist his words to his own advantage in a aggressive tone. He is quite angry. And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow He tries to confuse Tybalt and mock his polite request for a word with them. The audience begin to get frustrated with Mercutio because he is getting involved with Romeo and Tybalts business. We learn that Tybalts character is initially polite and courteous but he will be prepared to fight with the right person. If you shall find me apt enough to that sir, and how will give me occasion. He is a powerful character and is used to being treated with respect. 2 The tone Tybalt is addressing to Mercutio at this point is at first quite calm and polite , but as Mercutio butts in he begins to get more irritated he continues to insult and challenge him. The tension decreases when it becomes obvious that Tybalt is not interested in fighting with Mecutio, at this point. Now the audience know that Romeo is the man he wishes to confront, so the tension increases in anticipation for an upcoming fight. The audience can now expect conflict between Romeo and Tybalt as Tybalt is saving his anger for his key target. Section 4 In this paragraph I will discuss the dramatic importance of Romeos entrance. It is dramatic because Tybalt has just been speaking about him and we know that he is angry with him. Also we expect conflict because it is a Capulet and Montague together. Tybalts insult to Romeo Villain does not seem too harmful from a modern audiences point of view, however in Shakespearean times it was considered very insulting as it meant Romeo was of a lower class and of lesser importance, but we know that Romeo is from a noble family. Therefore an old Shakespearean audience would expect Romeo to settle the dispute with a dual. At the time the play was set honour and status were hugely important and as Romeo is of a high class he would find it difficult to contain his rage at Tybalts insult. Romeos first words of the scene show that he wants to be friends and that he is not a villain Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore farewell; I see thou knowst me not . Therefore this suggests that his character is laid back and does not want to fight, he is insulted but he is trying to keep peace with Tybalt because they are now related the reason I have to love thee. For the scene as a whole this makes way for the other fight that takes place. However Tybalts reaction is quite the opposite, he insults Romeo by saying Boy and then he invites Romeo to a fight . When the play was set Boy was very disrespectful because it is showing disrespect to Romeos status and belittling him. Romeo is trying to put an end to the ancient grudge but Tybalt refuses to accept this which shows that the feud between the families is destined to end in tragedy. 3 Section 5 Tybalt Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo Tybalt is innocently asking Mercutio if he knows Romeo. It is important for Shakespearean audience because Tybalt is from a rich family so he is speaking in a formal way to reflect his status. When Tybalt enters the scene he says to his servants Follow me close, for I will speak to them. The Shakespearean audience will expect Tybalt to speak, the modern audience will perceive him as being an important person. The language reflects his forceful personality and status because he is using a command. The drama is the audience wondering what he will say. Mercutio Consort? what dost thou make us minstrels? When Mercutio replies, he twist Tybalts words and takes the words consort out of context. In Shakespeares time a consort referred to a poorly paid group of musicians whose social status would have been lower class. Mercutio is trying to trick Tybalt and provoke him to anger. Heres my fiddlestick; Heres shall make you dance. When Mercutio says this the Shakespearean audience are prepared for a fight with fiddlestick referring to a sword and dance referring to making him dance around with his sword. The modern audience may be a bit confused making thinking that it is a joke. Mercutio is using a clever metaphor to manipulate Tybalt, comparing the sword to a fiddlestick. There is also tension as Mecutio is looking for a fight. 4 Romeo Tybalt, the reason I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining range to such a greeting. Villain I am none. The Shakespearean audience will expect Romeo to have a dual to defend his status when Tybalt calls him a villain. However because he will be related to Tybalt he is trying to settle things down so he can live in peace with Juliet. As he does not want a dual, Shakespearian audiences may think he is be rather cowardly as the word villain in such a strong word. The modern audiences may respect Romeo for showing courage not to fight Tybalt and attempting to settle an argument through words rather than physical force. When Romeo sees that Tybalt has killed Mercutio he says O sweet Juliet. They beauty hath made me effeminate and in my temper softened valours steel Romeo is saying that Juliet has made him more feminine, also that his anger has been softened. He is saying that from now on he will be stronger and more masculine. A modern audience may think he is weak for blaming Juliet for influencing his behaviour. Conclusion This scene is a very important turning point becuae many key things happened. Romeo and Juliets marriage seems to be doomed because of the conflict between the two families. Tybalt and Mercutio die in a violent fight. Romeo is banished from Verona and Benvolio is left to explain what has happened. This scene is very dramatic because the audience are left wondering what Romeo will do about Juliet and when he will come back. Also how both families will cope with the two deaths. 5 I have learnt that Romeo under his argumentative fighting side he is quite affectionate and respectable. I have also learnt that Juliet is affected by Romeos action because he has killed her cousin. I have learnt that Tybalt and Mercutio are hot tempered and volatile. I am now aware that a Shakespearean audience use and understand words that do not seem all that offensive in modern times but have a very offensive meaning behind them, for example villain in Shakespearean times means someone who is of a low status but in modern times some one who is quite mischievous.