Transcript Document
Critical Essay Show how Act 3 Scene 1 is a turning point in “Romeo and Juliet”, with the death of Mercutio, the eternal joker, acting as a pivot which tips this play from apparent comedy (although there are ominous hints) into tragedy. INTRO – Paragraph 1 • The introduction can be one or two paragraphs: – Introduce play (“big picture”) – Give brief outline of what happens in play – Refer to question BODY OF ESSAY: Para 2 • ESSENTIAL BEGINNING!!! • Briefly explain / define what a Shakespearean Comedy is: – Generally an optimistic view of life: • the theme of love overcoming obstacles • leading to marriage and a happy ending – Comedies typically also include: • amusing scenes • witty banter • sexual allusions. Paragraph 2 (continued) [or take another paragraph] Then explain (by contrast) briefly what a Shakespearean Tragedy is: Tragedies end in the death of an originally good and noble character, who moves inexorably to his end (usually through a combination of his own flaws and Fate) Although this play does not exactly follow this format, it clearly ends in a tragedy, with the needless death of the young lovers largely caused by Fate. Yet the mood of Acts 1 and 2 seems much closer to Comedy… Paragraph 3 • Show how elements of Act 1 and 2 are much more like a comedy than a tragedy, despite the foreshadowing of the tragic outcome in the Prologue: • E.g. opening scene… – bravado and witty insults of the young men – they want to fight, but atmosphere does not lead us to expect tragedy – rather, young men showing off Paragraph 4 • Early introduction of theme of love (again typical of Shakespearean Comedy), although at first in the form of R’s infatuation for Rosaline • R. is downcast (as love = unrequited) but atmosphere amusing … light-hearted teasing from his friends (especially Mercutio) Paragraph 5 (Love intensifies) • Meeting of R and J – love at first sight (Masked Ball) • Prospect of a wedding (Act II, Sc 2, orchard scene) = typical theme of comedy. • Overall mood seems optimistic (despite “forbidden” love due to family feud) – true love could overcome these obstacles – explore Shakespeare’s imagery here • Admittedly, ominous undertones / premonitions of misfortune (e.g.?) … but mood overwhelmingly romantic in the mind of audience (Note: to answer this question successfully, do NOT emphasise the ominous elements in the first half of the play – the suggestion is that the audience tends to put these to the back of their mind in the excitement of the romance!) Paragraph 6 – Mood changes Mood suddenly changes (Act 3 scene 1) taking audience by surprise …tension builds… then the feud suddenly explodes into a deadly duel: (Show the stages as the tension builds) • Tybalt determined to challenge Romeo at first opportunity (why?) • Romeo happens upon the scene (What is ironic about this? Where has he been?) • Romeo challenged by insult from Tybalt (but T. is Juliet’s cousin, so the last person R. would now wish to harm) • Mercutio enraged by Romeo’s refusal to fight (why is he so angry at this?) – takes on challenge in place of Romeo Paragraph 6 (cont) • Comment on audience response – we feel dramatic tension as insults explode so quickly into action • At first audience imagines the light-hearted mood will prevail, as Mercutio continues to joke (quote) • But very soon clear that M. is dying, cursing the two families whose feud has caused his death (quote) – tragedy now becomes established in foreground / comes to fore etc. Paragraph 7 From this point on, immense contrast from previous two acts: • catastrophic chain of events set in motion by dramatic events of Act 3 Sc 1: – R. swears to take revenge (for M’s death) – kills Tybalt – R. banished by the Prince • mood of the play is irrevocably altered Paragraph 8 Events move inexorably/unstoppably towards their tragic conclusion as tension builds throughout the last two acts: • Audience now remembers mentions of Fate in Prologue and subsequent premonitions (give details) • Juliet distraught (quote) – we feel pity: her cousin dead / her new husband banished. • The pathos of Romeo and Juliet’s wedding night and their reluctance to part affects us deeply – again emphasized by Shakespeare’s imagery (e.g. ……) (check meaning of “pathos”!) Paragraph 9 • Juliet’s distress increases (what does her father now order her to do?) • Examine change of mood / other side of Capulet’s nature shown in his language (quote – examine impact of his words) • Our sense of impending tragedy is intensifying Paragraph 10 Tension increases as Juliet driven to take desperate measures: • Asks Friar for help • Momentary hope (mention the plan) >>> to induce an apparent death-like state • Her body >>> church vault • The Friar will send a letter to alert Romeo to plan, so that he can return to rescue Juliet from the vault Paragraph 11 However, the plan fraught with risk (examine Juliet’s soliloquy and her worries) – tension continues to build. • At first plan appears to work (wedding rites replaced by funeral) – but then ultimate stroke of misfortune – Friar’s letter delayed • R. hears from another source that J. is actually dead. (We sense the impending tragedy) • Rushing back to Verona, Romeo arrives at tomb determined to take poison and kill himself • Then, the ultimate irony: Juliet awakes just moments too late, and … Paragraph 12 • Thus play ends as a tragedy, with death / needless waste of life of the two young lovers. • Play concludes with ending of feud – but at what a dreadful cost! • Final scene – sorrow of the family elders and the Prince (quote) • Audience too feels deep sense of loss CONCLUSION - Paragraph 13 Act 3 Scene 1 changed the mood of the play from being full of hope and romance to a mood of grief and loss: • Opening Acts largely = themes of Shakespearean Comedy (true love / prospect of marriage of two young lovers, witty banter, sexual allusions) • Even though there are premonitions / ominous overtones, we temporarily overlook them • With Mercutio’s death (Act 3 Scene 1) the unstoppable descent into turmoil / distress / death commences – ultimate tragedy. • We grieve – lessons finally learned but too late. Paragraph 14 (Personal Response) • Include your own personal response to this tragedy, and how the tragic outcome affected you. • Why is the play still so popular today? (Look at themes, but also at intensity of passion, beautiful imagery) • Is it a situation that could happen today? Can we still see such a genuine and innocent love being torn apart because of different family backgrounds? What can we learn from it?