Dramatic Tension in Act 3 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Dramatic Tension in Act 3 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Previous to Act 3 Scene 1 Romeo and Juliet marry each other. This is a

big problem because the Montague's (Romeos family) and the Capulet's

(Juliet's family) are involved in, what seems like, an enormous feud.

Nobody knows what it is about exactly, not even by the end of the

play, but it is obvious that it is about something very important to

both the families as it seems to have gone one for years and years. I

am made to think this from the line "From ancient grudge break to new

mutiny" The word 'ancient' suggests that it is old and happened years

ago. In fact I think that the feud is so old that not even the actual

characters know what they are arguing and fighting about anymore.

Romeo and Juliet weren't even born when it started and were just born

into it. As were all of the others characters in the play. With this

in mind then it seems unfair that they should have got dragged into

it, it wasn't their fault their families had issues with one another.

The feud is very foolish and the violence is very stupid in this play.

Sampson begins a fight between the Montagues and Capulets at the start

of the play that could have easily been avoided. He insults the

Montagues by flicking his thumb from behind his upper teeth. Nowadays

that wouldn't have been seen as a n insult but back when that feud was

taking place they found it very insulting. He chose to 'thumb-bite' as

he wished to get into a fight with the Montagues without saying

anything abusive. It works and they fight. This shows hoe pointless

the feud is and how easily each of the families get wound up with each...

... middle of paper ...

...f they'd think it was his

own fault for messing around.

As soon as Tybalt enters the scene it is obvious that there is some

tension between Tybalt and Mercutio. Tybalt says ""…good den;a word

with one of you" but Mercutio replies in such a way that provokes

Tybalt. "And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something

make it a word and a blow" Mercutio is trying to wind Tybalt up and is

looking for some reaction from him. This is yet another sign of

Mercutio certainly not trying to avoid a fight but looking for one.

The tension is increased when the readers become aware that Mercutio

has a sword "…Here's my fiddlestick…" This raises the tension as it

means that actual physical harm could come to Tybalt and vice versa if

Tybalt has a sword too, which considering the time this is set in,

probably has.