Romeo and Juliet
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- Category: English: Plays
- Date Submitted: 01/15/2011 01:51 PM
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Why is Act 3 Scene 1 such an important part of Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet”?
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The story is set in Verona, Italy in the 16thcentury. It is about two young lovers, each from two different feuding families - the Montagues and the Capulets - which have a historical hatred for each other. Shakespeare describes the lovers as “star-cross’d” – meaning that their love for each other is blinded by the reality of the feud between their families, as if dazzled by the stars. The play ends with the deaths of these lovers, as well as the deaths of many other characters throughout the play.
The first two Acts of the play have a comedic, love-story feel and there has hardly any sign of tragedy or death. Shakespeare also uses the first two Acts as an opportunity to introduce both the central characters of the play and the history of the family feud. The reader has little knowledge of the dramatic events that will unfold, nor the tragic ending, as Shakespeare gives little hint of this.
The only place in the first two Acts where Shakespeare demonstrates signs of violence are in Act 1 Scene 1. Shakespeare demonstrates that even with minor characters of the play, the family feud is apparent. Samson and Gregory are both servants to Capulet, who meet with Abraham, a servant to Montague. They give rude gestures to each other (“do you bite your thumb at as sir?”) and are only separated from fighting by the entrance of Benvolio, a nephew to Montague.
In Act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare shows us how violence can lead to the destruction of love and life by killing the characters of Mercutio, a friend of the Montague, and Tybalt, a Capulet. Shakespeare puts all the characters in Act 2 Scene 1 under pressure by putting them in situations that could result in injury or death. After Act 3 Scene 1, the atmosphere of the play transforms dramatically into an obvious tragedy, as from now on...
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The story is set in Verona, Italy in the 16thcentury. It is about two young lovers, each from two different feuding families - the Montagues and the Capulets - which have a historical hatred for each other. Shakespeare describes the lovers as “star-cross’d” – meaning that their love for each other is blinded by the reality of the feud between their families, as if dazzled by the stars. The play ends with the deaths of these lovers, as well as the deaths of many other characters throughout the play.
The first two Acts of the play have a comedic, love-story feel and there has hardly any sign of tragedy or death. Shakespeare also uses the first two Acts as an opportunity to introduce both the central characters of the play and the history of the family feud. The reader has little knowledge of the dramatic events that will unfold, nor the tragic ending, as Shakespeare gives little hint of this.
The only place in the first two Acts where Shakespeare demonstrates signs of violence are in Act 1 Scene 1. Shakespeare demonstrates that even with minor characters of the play, the family feud is apparent. Samson and Gregory are both servants to Capulet, who meet with Abraham, a servant to Montague. They give rude gestures to each other (“do you bite your thumb at as sir?”) and are only separated from fighting by the entrance of Benvolio, a nephew to Montague.
In Act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare shows us how violence can lead to the destruction of love and life by killing the characters of Mercutio, a friend of the Montague, and Tybalt, a Capulet. Shakespeare puts all the characters in Act 2 Scene 1 under pressure by putting them in situations that could result in injury or death. After Act 3 Scene 1, the atmosphere of the play transforms dramatically into an obvious tragedy, as from now on...