How Shakespeare Uses Dramatic Devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play about two young star crosses lovers, ‘A pair of lovers whose relationship is said to be doomed from the start’, which unites their families of sworn enemies together. It fits into the tragedy genre, as it’s a play that contains many distressing scenes, which involves many deaths of characters. Furthermore, during the time this play was written, Italy was stereotyped as a very rough place where many fights take place. In addition, this play is set in Verona, Italy, which somewhat relates to the play in a way, due to the fighting between the two families that takes place.

Next, it should be known that Shakespeare states very clearly in the prologue that this is not based on a true story, neither is it a true story, but just a play. It is not meant to look real in any way.

There are several themes to this play, love, fate, death, and time. Firstly love, as one most obvious points of this play is the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Secondly fate, because the ending of the star crossed lovers lives has been already decided, the two families are against each other, which Romeo and Juliet can do nothing about. Thirdly death, as the play mentions ‘we were born to die’, ‘death-darting eye’, ‘cold death’, and during the play, Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Romeo and Juliet all die. And last but not least, time, as the play mentions it will last for two hours, and during Act 3 Scene 2 Juliet waits for the night for Romeo’s arrival. The bringing forwards of the marriage between Romeo and, the short length of time the potion has effect on its drinker for, and how Romeo suicides just after when Juliet wakes back up also makes reference to time.

As many different Shakespeare plays have in common, the middl...

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...ver you blame it on, Tybalt is still the mood-changer and causes tension and suspense, which again keeps the interest of the audience.

In addition, Shakespeare also uses Benvolio to narrate what happened to the Prince. Benvolio is a character who tries to smoothen out rough edges, attempting to bring peace, as shown here, "I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire". Benvolio is the one the Prince is most likely to trust in giving a clear and accurate account of what transpired the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio.

Lastly, at the end of Act 3 Scene 1, Tybalt and Mercutio’s blood are still warm, whilst Romeo is fleeing the scene. Although Juliet is not directly in the scene, it is known that she knows nothing about what happens and still filled with romance and love, which is why we feel sorry for her. This is one way Shakespeare creates sympathy for a character.

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