How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices Essay Example

are; deceit, love, hate, death conflict, we can tell this through the emotion of the character, for example Mercutio death enrages Romeo with hate, it was love at first sight for Romeo and Juliet, Montague and Capulet are always in some form of conflict. Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare, an English playwrite. Nobody is sure of the exact birth date of William Shakespeare but we do know that he was baptised as a catholic in April during the year 1564.

He died in 1616 during April.

When he was 18 he met Anne Hathaway and married her, during her twenties they had 3 children together, Suzanne and the twins Hamnet and Judith. Again nobody can make a correct guess as to how many plays Shakespeare wrote, however we know that 38 of his plays and 154 of his sonnets survived until the nineteenth century, when Shakespeare,s works were really appreciated. Shakespeare got the idea of Romeo and Juliet from a similar poem written by Arthur Brooke’s; The Tragical history of Romeus and Juliet (1562). Though Shakespeare play is based on the plot of

Arthur Brooke poem, he quickened the pace of the action, in Brooke’s poem the love of Romeo and Juliet lasts 3 months, were as in Shakespeare version it only lasts one night.

The 1500’s were a development period for modern man, principles, customs and methods were being challenged for the first time. Trades overseas were expanding, providing new opportunities, people were looking into themselves, to become more civilized, more mature. When we go to see a new film we expect a new story line, characters that we can relate

to, a bit of action.

In Elizabethan times it was different, they were happy to be given a recognized story line, just as long as the dramatist’s treatment was new and individual.

Therefore we can tell that the Elizabethans were easily entertained but more sophisticated than twentieth century audiences. The names Montague and Capulet sound familiar to 2 families that lived during the thirteenth century; Montecchi and Capellitti . The irony of this is that these 2 families are believed to have been partly responsible for the civil strife in Italy.

I believe that act three, scene one was written to shock the audience. During the previous scene Romeo and Juliet were married by the friar. This makes the atmosphere calm and relaxed.

In addition the prologue quotes “pair of star crossed lovers take their life”, meaning that the audience are aware of the fact that Romeo and Juliet are going to die. Compiling all the evidence, the quote, the previous scene, the content atmosphere i believe that act 3, scene one is there to shock the audience with Mercutios and Tybalts Death.

The scene starts of using the dramatic device tension. Mercutio and Benvolio in the beginning of act three, scene one creates a tension filled atmosphere by arguing over a difference of opinion.

The action of Mercutio and Benvolio unbalances the atmosphere. The effect of the unstable atmosphere, causes dramatic tension, which unsettles the audience, resulting in anticipation as to what could happen next. The next dramatic devices that are used are conflict and dramatic irony, caused by the entrance of Tybalt and Romeo.

The scene progresses with Tybalt constant insults undermining Romeo,

“boy”, “though art a villain”. Intermission is made by Mercutio; witty banter is thrown in each direction until the situation takes a turn for the worst.

Romeo intervenes in the sword fight between Mercutio and Tybalt; resulting in Tybalt “accidentally” stabbing Mercutio. The conflict in this scene gives the audience an early indication that something terrible is about to happen. As Tybalt doesn’t know that Romeo is married to Juliet and the audience does, this creates dramatic irony.

The effect this has on the audience is that it makes them feel sorry for Romeo. As Romeo has done nothing but love Tybalt and “tender the Capulet name”, also it has a structual effect on the rest of the play as two more character have been taken out of the picture. Therefore Shakespeare has to make the story even more interesting to fill the gap.

As a result of Tybalts actions Romeo vastly changes his character during the later part of the scene, “thee’s days blackfate on more days doth depend; this but begins the woe, others must end”.

The effect this has on Romeo's character causes him to think about the way he has been acting, “oh sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate”, consequently making the change from boy to man. The possible effect Romeo’s change in character could have on the audience is that they will not be surprised, as the change is predictable and you can tell what is going to happen through the way the scene is structured. The scene is structured around events.

It has a three stage line up of typical events, starting with a normal event; Benvolio

Mercutio chatting in the streets, leading to a shocking event; the murder of Mercutio, finishing with a consequent event; Romeo being exiled from Verona for the murder of Tybalt. The structured sequence of events could affect the audience in 2 ways; it could surprise them with the quick change of events throughout the scene or it could bore the audience, as one action sequence makes another predictable, e.

. The death of Mercutio causes the audience to guess that Romeo is going to go and seek revenge. Shakespeare uses a range of language devices to create a number of different moods, atmospheres and effects for the audience. If repetition used in small quantities, it can set a wondrous atmosphere for the audience and get them thinking.

Shakespeare uses this method in act 3 scene 1 when Mercutio repeats a curse 3 times at the time of his death, “a plague a’ both your houses