How Is Tension Created free essay sample

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the story of two star-crossed lovers who take their life. Their families, Capulet and Montague, are at a great, ancient feud; however Romeo and Juliet fall passionately in love ignoring the fact that they are, by household, enemies. The play was written in 1595, for an Elizabethan audience, and was performed at the Globe Theatre. Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona, Italy; Italy being a common setting for plays around the time for the great interest in Italian culture and an art movement known as the Renaissance. A strong factor of the play is fate and whether or not it causes an impact on the character’s lives. Many critics were confused as to what the moral of the play was, and debated on whether Shakespeare was putting a point across about how injudicious behaviour can result in your downfall; or whether fate will choose the path to lead despite whatever you may do to stop it. This is left to the audience to interpret for themselves. During the previous act: Act 2 Scene 6, Romeo and Juliet are married in secret by Friar Lawrence. The atmosphere in the scenes are juxtaposed, as Act 3 Scene 1 is extremely tense and ultimately becomes the matter of the play; initially a comedy, transformed in to a tragedy. The moods in each of the scenes contrast completely; one of love and unanimity and the other of death and anguish; these two scenes deliberately conflict love and hate, the main themes of the play. Act 3 Scene 1 begins in a â€Å"public place† of Verona – it was against the law to fight in public at that time so the fact that it is illegal makes the audience feel nervous. The atmosphere from the off is very tense, and the unravelling events foreshadow what will beget the remainder of the scene. Benvolio is worried that Mercutio will meet the Capulets and a vicious fight will break out. â€Å"For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. † This line would disconcert the audience and make them uneasy as many Elizabethans were superstitious in that they believed the weather could affect their moods; on hot days, the sun was said to worsen a person’s temper. ‘Hot days’ and ‘mad blood’ are unsettling phrases that will have an unnerving affect on the audience right from the start. However, the atmosphere is reassured after Benvolio’s opening speech, as Mercutio makes light of Benvolio’s fears. The opening of the scene echoes the beginning of the play, where the servants of the Montagues are having fun and talking, just before the Capulets arrive; this would make an audience tense as they recollect that Act 1 Scene 1 ended in a brawl. Another way that makes audience feels tense is the fact that Mercutio is being his usual bawdy self. â€Å"†¦thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody be moved. Mercutio is speaking in blank verse; this is important because Mercutio is a very comical character and doesn’t respect anyone, including Tybalt who is about to enter. When Tybalt does finally arrive, Mercutio is deliberately antagonistic, â€Å"And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something; make it a word and a blow. † Here, Mercutio is fundamentally asking Tybalt to p hysically fight him, so the audience expect this. Tybalt will be willing to fight as the Montague boys turned up uninvited to a Capulet ball. Another thing that would make the audience even more anxious is the fact that â€Å"fiery† Tybalt is known for his rage. Mercutio uses language against Tybalt by punning on the word â€Å"consort’st† implying that Tybalt is saying they are musicians. He then carries on the metaphor by referring to his sword as a â€Å"fiddlestick† and getting ready to fight. By Mercutio drawing his sword, the audience would feel trepidation as it is getting closer to the actual fight. Benvolio’s reaction is panicky as he knows that a brawl in public is illegal. â€Å"Either withdraw unto some private place, / And reason coldly of your grievances or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us. † As usual, Benvolio is speaking in blank-verse as what he is saying is important. The fact that Romeo appears on stage would make the audience feel uneasy as he is the catalyst that causes Tybalt’s anger. The pace is very fast: â€Å"Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford / No better term than this, thou art a villain. † Tybalt is quick to insult Romeo; â€Å"villain† is a huge insult to someone of aristocratic status. Romeo further insights Tybalt’s anger by declaring his â€Å"love† for Juliet – Tybalt’s cousin. This is dramatic irony as the audience know why Romeo has said this as he has married into the Capulet family, however Tybalt does not know this. Mercutio who has been watching, jumps to Romeo’s defence declaring his intention to fight, â€Å"O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! / Alla stoccata carries it away. † The fact he is speaking in blank-verse for the first time tells the audience how serious his intentions are. Mercutio has been hurt and through his rage, curses both Capulet and Montague households, â€Å"A plague o’both your houses! I am sped. / is he gone, and hath nothing? † by mentioning the plague in Elizabethan times, this would be contentious as the Elizabethans suffered from the Black Plague. Images of poison are frequent throughout the play, for example â€Å"cankered hate† spreading the feeling of hatred. The audience is left in suspense due to Mercutio’s departure as they are left to wonder whether he will survive. This is a very significant episode of the play as it changes the theme from a comedy to a tragedy. Mercutio’s death sparks a change in Romeo, â€Å"O sweet Juliet, / Thy beauty hath made me effeminate. † Considering how loving Romeo has been before, this is a significant change to his attitude. â€Å"And fire eyed fury be my conduct now! † the plosives in this sentence show his anger; he has chosen the feud over love.