How does Shakespeare build up the tension and suspense to make act three scene one dramatically effective Essay Example For Students

How does Shakespeare build up the tension and suspense to make act three scene one dramatically effective? Essay Shakespeare uses a number of methods to create and build up tension and suspense in this scene. These include the choice of characters, the circumstances, the language used, the pace and dramatic irony. The previous scene was one of romance, hope and optimism. Therefore, from the very first line of this scene there is a stark contrast to the previous scene and tension is mounting. The events that play out in this scene mark a turning point in the play for both families as well as Romeos character and will greatly affect his and Juliets lives. The first character to speak in this scene is Benvolio. From previous scenes as well as this one the audience learns that the character of Benvolio is a peaceful character who tries to avoid fights and tries to calm other characters down throughout. I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire. At the very beginning of the scene Benvolio is trying to get Mercutio to go inside so as to avoid fighting because he is feeling uneasy about the circumstances. This is a warning to Mercutio and the audience of what is about to happen. If we meet we shall not scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. Benvolio makes it clear that there is already a lot of tension in the air, because of previous events that have occurred on the streets of Verona due to the feud as well as it is very hot. The reason the weather increases the tension is because when it is especially hot people become more irritable and easily annoyed. This is particularly clear by Shakespeares choice of the wor ds mad blood stirring. This gives a sense of people responding to the heat in an unreasonable and maybe physical way. However, Benvolios attempts to calm the situation may have inspired more quarrelsomeness in Mercutio. Mercutio is walking with Benvolio at the beginning of this scene. Shakespeares combination of these two characters helps to increase the tension because of the contrast and antagonism between them from the start. Where Benvolio attempts to be calm, cautious and peaceful, Mercutio is hot-headed, reckless and quarrelsome. Mercutio, in jest, attributes some of his own characteristics to Benvolio. Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat. Mercutio is accusing Benvolio of being quarrelsome where in fact it is himself who proves to be of a quarrelsome disposition as proved by his quarrelling with Tybalt. Mercutio speaks in prose rather than verse, which makes the scene faster paced. This increases the tension because it is again preparing the audience for the quarrel about to take place and builds up excitement. When the Capulets approach Benvolio is worried but Mercutio responds with: By my heel, I care not. This shows that he is not worried about the feud between the families because he is not involved in it, and also that he is quite reckless especially during this hot weather when people may tend to act irrationally. He is not taking the situation seriously, which increases the tension because the other characters are being serious so Mercutio seems quite dangerous in this volatile situation. Tybalt says to his people Follow me close, for I will speak to them. This builds up the tension because it shows that Tybalt is being cautious as he recognises that the situation is hazardous and he is expecting a fight. The combination of Tybalt and Mercutio increases the tension greatly because they are both very aggressive, impulsive characters and antagonise each other. Tybalt begins politely Gentlemen, good-een. A word with one of you. To which Mercutio responds immediately with aggression by suggesting a blow. This increases the tension because it reminds the audience that Tybalt is looking for Romeo for a duel and it puts the suggestion of violence out in the open straight away. Tybalt replies telling Mercutio he would be able and willing to fight if Mercutio gives him the excuse. This helps build up the tension because it shows that Tybalt is ready to fight as well so it almost seems inevitable already because of Mercutios mood and provocative responses. A Christmas Carol-Charles Dickens EssayAfter Mercutios death Romeos character changes. Before he was very impulsive and childish, falling in love at the drop of a hat. He was quite a gentle character, spending most of his time writing poetry and mooning over girls. However afterwards he recognises that Juliets beauty and his love for her have trapped him and have stopped him doing what he was honour-bound to do. Thy beauty hath made me effeminate. He becomes aggressive and Shakespeares use of alliteration fire-eyed fury illustrates the destructive change in Romeo. He is now ready to fight for his honour at being called villain as well as to avenge Mercutios death and is ready to die trying. Tybalt repeats his insults of boy and consort which had angered Mercutio previously and fights with Romeo. They fight and Romeo manages to kill Tybalt. Benvolio tells him to leave because he knows the Prince will sentence him to death if he is caught. Romeo leaves after a moments hesitation and Benvolio is brought before the Prince. Benvolio falters the Prince and Mercutio with words such as noble and brave. He recounts the story of events, leaving out the fact that Mercutio was the one who started the whole fight between himself and Tyblat. The tension is mounting here because the audience knows that Romeo is guilty of killing Tybalt and they know that the Prince has said that whoever is caught fighting will be killed. The tension is heightened by Lady Capulets plea for Romeos death. Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live. This is especially dramatic because it shows that the feud runs so deep that even the women are ruthless and vicious because of it. The tension is relieved slightly when the Prince and Lord Montague reasons that Romeo killed Tybalt who would have been killed anyway by the law. The audience is given a slight moment where they can think that maybe nothing bad will happen, however the Prince then exiles Romeo on pain of death if he is caught in Verona again. This is important because he and Juliet have not yet consecrated their marriage and may not be able to now if he has to flee, and they are not able to be together. Although the tension is less at the end of the scene, Shakespeare has maintained and built it up throughout this scene because it is the pivotal in the play. Before this scene everything seemed to be going fine, Romeo and Juliet were very much in love and had just been married. Now at the conclusion of this scene they are to be split apart and Mercutio has cursed both families. I think that the most tension was created by the use of dramatic irony, because the audience knew the reason Romeo did not want to fight but Tybalt and Mercutio did not and Romeo did not tell them. This means that the audience feels very tense and may feel like they want to tell Tybalt and Mercutio the reason for Romeos submission but cannot.