How Does Shakespeare Create Tension In Romeo And Juliet

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In Act 3 of Shakespeare’s tragic drama Romeo and Juliet, the conflicts and obstacles the protagonists are aggravated. All of the events build off one another after the climax of the play, when Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo is then banished from Verona, but spends one last night with Juliet. Capulet wishes for Juliet to marry Paris, but Juliet stands up to her father, who gets mad at her for this rebellious act. At the end of the act, Juliet has no support, even from the Nurse. All of these events take place in a little more than half a day, showing how fast-paced the drama moves. In Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare portrays Romeo and Juliet’s emotional immaturity, the dysfunctional Capulet household, and Juliet’s transition from childhood …show more content…

After escaping the area where he killed Tybalt, Romeo comes to Friar Lawrence who tells him that he must leave Verona. Dejected, Romeo says, “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say death”(3.3.13). Romeo is thinking irrationally. Leaving for Mantua would not mean that he would not be able to see Juliet any longer, but death would. Romeo also acts implusively, almost killing himself in Friar Lawrence’s cell. This bad news has put him in a state of panic, and prevented him from thinking rationally, and taking things slowly to find an optimal solution, like someone with ample maturity would be able to do. Juliet mirrors Romeo’s impulsiveness. When the Nurse comes into Juliet’s room, saying “…he’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead,” Juliet jumps to the conclusion that the Nurse is talking about her beloved husband Romeo (3.2.42). Juliet being devastated says, “Vile earth to earth resign…” (3.2.65). She is basically saying that she will kill herself since Romeo is dead. Juliet first jumps to conclusions, and then makes hasty decisions based on those conclusions. Those that are emotionally mature have control over their emotions and ensure that their emotions do not get the best of them. Romeo and Juliet’s actions show that they are far from being emotionally

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