Romeo And Juliet Compare And Contrast Essay Example
Romeo And Juliet Compare And Contrast Essay Example

Romeo And Juliet Compare And Contrast Essay Example

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  • Published: September 29, 2017
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Dramatic impact is the use of drama to elicit emotions such as joy, anger, fear, and tension in the audience. This is achieved through what is seen, heard, and imagined on stage as well as the contrasts and interactions depicted. It is created through a combination of body language, facial expressions, gestures, movements, and stage positioning. The dialogue also plays a key role in the dramatic impact as it includes tone of voice, sarcasm, emphasis, recreation, imagery, hesitation, confidence, pauses and change of topic. The overarching plot and theme of the play also contribute to the dramatic impact.

When it comes to plays, achieving dramatic impact is crucial. Factors such as plot progression, the exploration of themes like hatred or deception, the tying up of loose ends, and the inclusion of surprises all contribute to this impact. W

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ithout it, the audience may struggle to suspend their disbelief and fully engage with the play as if it were real. This suspension of disbelief is a key element in making the play more interesting to watch.

Without a significant dramatic impact, it becomes challenging for the audience to suspend their belief. Shakespearean plays typically consist of five acts, with act three serving as the pivotal point or the middle section that determines the play's outcome. As a result, Act three is typically the most dramatic segment of the performance.

The play is located in Renaissance Italy, which was perceived as a romantic and captivating place during that time period. Therefore, choosing this setting would make the play more intriguing and give the audience high expectations. Shakespeare also opted to situate some of his plays in Italy to be abl

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to criticize parts of the country without fearing punishment from the reigning monarch. Romeo and Juliet's setting in Renaissance Italy contrasts with the actual reality of the time period, where Renaissance meant "rebirth".

During the Renaissance, there were two distinct aspects. One side focused on art, sculpture, and architecture. To this day, some of the famous paintings and models persist and receive admiration. The other side was characterized by war, fighting, and political intrigue, particularly in Italy. This dynamic is evident in Romeo and Juliet since there is considerable fighting, as seen with the Montagues and the Capulets. At the time, Italy comprised a collection of city-states, each under a powerful duke who had an army. Similar to Prince Escalus in the play, these dukes wielded complete authority like kings. However, this setup was not peaceful since they were all striving to be the most dominant state.

The play is set in Verona but shows the loyalty of each citizen to their own family, evidenced by the servants and cousins of each family: the Montagues and the Capulets. Each family fought for power and influence within their city state, similar to the families in the play. The focus is mainly on urban people, like the Montagues and Capulets, who cannot marry until they can support a wife, including themselves, at an average age of 30-35. The term "urban" refers to people living in the city, while "rural" refers to those in the country.

The play Romeo and Juliet features unrealistic elements, such as Romeo marrying Juliet at a young age. However, it accurately portrays men becoming urban and seeking their own fortune without the burden of wives

or responsibilities. This is evidenced by the presence of young urban gangs in the play, with Romeo's gang consisting of Mercutio and Benvolio, and Tybalt having his own friends. Additionally, men in the play seek excitement through fighting, as shown by the tough character of Tybalt.

In the time when the play was written, marriage had a different focus. It didn't usually involve love; rather, men sought fertile wives to bear children, while women looked for financial security and protection. Furthermore, it was customary for girls as young as 14 to wed men who were over 40 because at that time, the average age for fatherhood was 40+. This idea is mirrored in the play by Lord Capulet's desire for Juliet to marry an older man named Paris.

In the past, a woman had no say in her marriage as it was solely left to her father's decision. If a father sent his daughter to a convent, becoming a nun was her fate. However, in the play, Lord Capulet allows Juliet to choose whether she wants to marry or not, although it was uncommon. The audience's reactions during Shakespeare's time were different from today; if you shouted or threw fruit at the performers back then, it was allowed. Nowadays, such actions can warrant expulsion from the theatre. When watching the fight in Act 3 Scene 1, the audience may feel tense and angry as Mercutio provokes trouble. They may also worry for Romeo, who recently married Juliet, especially since the Prince warned that anyone involved in another fight will face execution.

During the Capulet ball, Tybalt became angry with Romeo after Lord Capulet refused Tybalt's request to have

Romeo removed. Unable to take his anger out on Lord Capulet, Tybalt blamed Romeo. In Shakespeare's day, fighting with swords in the streets was common, so the Elizabethan audience would have been accustomed to scenes like Act 3 Scene 1. However, a modern audience may find sword fighting in streets ridiculous since it is not something we typically see nowadays. Instead, modern audiences are more familiar with knife fighting. Despite this difference, both the modern and Elizabethan audience would react similarly to the use of weaponry in a fight scene. The audience of Shakespeare's time would have responded differently to the players than modern audiences do today.

During the Elizabethan era, the audience were known to give encouragement to performers by shouting at them. Conversely, if an audience member disliked a character, they would verbally abuse them. In regards to the play itself, when Tybalt appears on stage, it causes worry for Romeo as he had just recently married. Additionally, the friar's plan to bring the warring families together could be thwarted if Romeo fights Tybalt. Furthermore, the Prince has promised to execute anyone caught fighting in public again. Audience members may feel sympathy for Tybalt's fighting skills while worrying about Romeo's lack of experience in battle. Frustration may also arise as only Juliet, Romeo, and the friar are aware of their marriage status while other characters remain ignorant.

Inviting someone to a fight nowadays is as simple as saying "come on then!!". However, during Shakespeare's time, calling someone a villain was a major insult and an invitation to a duel - a fight to the death. Rejecting such a challenge meant being branded a

coward forever. Romeo couldn't accept Tybalt's challenge in the play as it would lead to his death and Juliet wouldn't be pleased either. Today, the term gentleman refers to an ordinary man and can be seen in places like public toilets and changing rooms.

During Shakespeare's time, a gentleman was defined by their reliable honor and adherence to their word, as well as their high social standing. Benvolio embodied such traits and was therefore considered a gentleman. If someone was called a villain, their gentlemanly honor was questioned, and refusing to duel could result in the loss of one's social standing. The audience empathizes with Romeo's situation, as he cannot accept Tybalt's challenge due to just marrying Tybalt's cousin Juliet; killing Tybalt could cause Juliet to no longer love him. Additionally, Romeo is not known for his fighting abilities while Tybalt is a skilled fighter. Puns were also highly regarded in Elizabethan times as a sign of intelligence. Mercutio serves as an excellent example of this, as he frequently uses puns even when fatally injured, earning admiration from Elizabethan and modern audiences alike.

Tomorrow, if you were to inquire about him, you would discover that he is a serious man due to his injury and nearing demise. Nonetheless, current audiences do not value characters only for their verbal talents. Presently, people are frequently assessed based on their demeanor and looks rather than their linguistic abilities. This is commonly called "judging a book by its cover." The ability to have an impact on the audience is referred to as dramatic impact.

The creation of Act 3, Scene 1 is influenced by the lessons we derive from the characters involved.

Amongst these characters, namely Benvolio, Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt; Benvolio remains consistent. As a member of the Montague family and household, Benvolio is also Romeo's cousin.

Within Act 1 Scene 1, Benvolio exhibits qualities of a reputable peace maker. He endeavors to halt the altercation as evidenced by his words, "part fools, put up your swords, you know not what you do." By doing so, he demonstrates his willingness to intervene and encourages others to follow suit. Additionally, Benvolio is a dependable ally who provides assistance to those who require it. His words, "I'd know his grievance will be much denied" conveys his willingness to aid those who seek it out. As a good friend and cousin to Romeo, Benvolio also provides guidance and support. This is demonstrated when he states, "be ruled by me, forget to think of her," which evidences his loyalty and supportive nature towards Romeo.

Despite the chaos in Act 3 Scene 1, Romeo's friend Benvolio remains a peacemaker. His plea to Mercutio to "let's retire" demonstrates his concern for the consequences of conflict between the Capulets and Montagues in Verona. Benvolio's loyalty and kindness towards his friends is evident when he urges Romeo to leave after Tybalt's death: "Away, Romeo, be gone! / The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain!" Overall, Benvolio's actions prove that he is a trustworthy and caring friend.

Despite everything, he remains a highly reliable individual. This is made evident by his statement "there lies that Tybalt" to the prince after Romeo kills him, showcasing his honesty. As a result, the audience will find him trustworthy, as he has demonstrated his truthfulness on numerous occasions, such as

when he stated "O noble prince, I can discover all the unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. There lies the man, slain by young Romeo that slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio".

It is certain that he will gain admiration for his honesty, as evidenced by the Prince's trust in him. Turning our attention to Tybalt, he is a member of the Montague household and also Juliet's cousin. Unlike Benvolio, who tries to avoid conflict, Tybalt is always ready for it and takes pleasure in it, as seen in Act 1 Scene 1.

It is evident from his statement to Benvolio that Romeo is a part of the feud and has a fiery temperament. He expresses his hatred towards Montagues, including Benvolio. Additionally, as a Capulet, Tybalt is inherently intolerant towards Montagues. This is exemplified by his comment upon seeing Romeo at the Capulet ball - "it fits when such villain is a guest."

The evidence supports the assertion that he is angry, seeking trouble and lacking tolerance. He appears to have a strong aversion to the Montagues, and as far as Tybalt is concerned, the only honourable Montague is the one he can end with his sword, such is his hatred of them. However, in Act 3 Scene 1, he demonstrates the capacity to manage his anger. He conducts himself with restraint, politeness and patience towards all Montagues. Evidence of this is when he says "you will find me apt enough for that sir, or you will give me an occasion." This shows that he can suppress his hostility towards the Montagues, leaving them shocked by their unexpected reaction.

At this point in the play, the audience's primary reaction

will likely be amazement. Despite Mercutio's efforts to provoke him, Romeo remains calm - a rare occurrence, as it is typically Tybalt who seeks conflict. The audience will also be surprised by Romeo's restraint, as he directs his anger towards the Montagues rather than retaliating against Mercutio. In Act 1 Scene 1, Tybalt would have reacted aggressively if he had been insulted by Mercutio. Finally, the audience will feel relieved that Tybalt has not responded violently to Mercutio's provocation.

Although Tybalt temporarily becomes polite and restrained at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1, he ultimately reverts to his usual self as a street fighter when provoked by Mercutio to a duel. This change causes anticipation that someone will get hurt and shifts the attention to Mercutio.

Mercutio, a friend of Romeo and a relative of Prince Escalus, is also a friend of the Montague family. In Act 1 Scene 4, Mercutio makes his first appearance and reveals his friendship with Romeo. He tells a tale about Queen Mab, a fairy who interferes with people's dreams, and says that when she touches people's lips they dream of kissing. Romeo interrupts him and tells him to stop talking about nonsense. However, Mercutio responds by saying that they are both talking about dreams. This demonstrates Mercutio's loyalty and his ability to help Romeo ignore his concerns. Moreover, Mercutio is known for his wit and quickness of words.

In Act 2 Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo refers to the nurse as a "gentleman nurse, that loves to hear himself talk". This implies that he is a humorous man, as his friend's statement confirms. However, he can sometimes take his

jokes too far. When he says "No hare, sir, unless a hare, sir, in a Lenten pie-that is, something stale and hoar ere it be spent", it demonstrates this tendency. Nonetheless, the audience would have found Mercutio's actions amusing, with his use of puns being a particular highlight. Despite also mocking others, he too has the tendency to go too far and overstep the mark.

Although he was laid back in Act 3 Scene 4, in Act 3 Scene 1 the character undergoes a significant shift. He becomes more stubborn and ignores Benvolio's advice to retire. Evidence of his willingness to engage in conflict arises when Mercutio, seeking trouble, goads Tybalt by suggesting they fight with both words and fists.

The audience will experience fear and tension due to Tybalt's exceptional fighting skills and the Prince's warning of death for any further fights in the streets. Tybalt is depicted as a kind friend to Romeo in Act 1 Scene 4 during the Queen Mab speech, however in Act 3 Scene 1, he calls Romeo a coward. He disapproves of Romeo's response to him and challenges him to a fight. As a result, the audience is caught off guard and will feel anxious about the impending confrontation.

Despite undergoing some changes, Mercutio retains his comedic persona even after being fatally injured by Tybalt. The audience can see this when he jokingly says "ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man." While an Elizabethan audience would have admired Mercutio's frequent wordplay, a modern audience would view him as foolish and deserving of his fate.

Additionally, Romeo would elicit sympathy from the viewers due to his

imminent decision to act irrationally without taking on any accountability. In conclusion, my final remarks will pertain to Romeo.

Romeo, the son of Lord and Lady Montague, is destined to be a prestigious figure as the heir of their noble family. Despite being approximately 16-17 years old, he develops a romantic connection with Juliet who belongs to the rival Capulet family.

Romeo was in a state of depression during Act 1 Scene 1, as he was experiencing courtly love for Rosaline. Courtly love involves the man showering the woman with flowers and affectionate letters, while the woman treats him coldly, as expressed by the phrase "keep them mean keep them keen". Romeo's despondency is evident from his statement to Benvolio that "love is a smoke made with a fume of sighs", implying that he was seeking attention.

Despite not being present at the fight in Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo pretends to be in love by saying "sadness cousin, I do love a woman". However, his love is not genuine and he is merely pretending to be in love.

The support for Romeo's disapproval of the feud is shown when he exclaims, "o me, what fray was here?!". This statement conveys his disdain for the violence and conflict in Verona. Romeo is known to be a lover and not a fighter, which further emphasizes his rejection of the feud. Additionally, he explicitly voices his disapproval when he tells Benvolio, "yet tell me not for I have heard it all". This demonstrates his aversion to the feud and all it represents.

Romeo, unlike typical modern teenagers who tend to be both spiritual and leaders, had no interest

in being involved with such things. He demonstrated his tendency to follow rather than lead when he asked for a torch on the way to the Capulet ball, stating "give me a torch, I am not for the ambling".

This reveals Romeo's reluctance to dance or attend the ball, indicating that he is only accompanying his friends. Additionally, Romeo has faith in destiny and expresses it through the statement, "in bed asleep, while then dream things true", which is linked to his love for someone and a foreboding feeling. Premonition denotes an abrupt memory of an ominous forthcoming event. The Elizabethan audience had a firm belief in such phenomena, so conveying his premonition could make the audience apprehensive for Romeo's safety.

In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo was in a state of melancholy and seeking attention. However, in Act 3 Scene 1, his demeanor and attitude towards life changes dramatically after marrying Juliet. He displays happiness and satisfaction, evident from his cheerful greeting, "Good morrow to both of you, what counterfeit did I give you?" This marks a significant departure from his former obsession over Rosaline. Romeo's transformation extends to him becoming more decisive and displaying leadership qualities, which were absent at the beginning of the play.

Romeo demonstrates his qualities as a good friend rather than a leader when he tells Mercutio to put away his sword in order to prevent him from getting injured during a fight with Tybalt. This action highlights Romeo's restraint and maturity. Furthermore, Romeo's response to Tybalt's request of fighting him further reinforces his level-headedness, as he declines by expressing his deep affection for Tybalt.

While Romeo was previously

against the feud, he has no desire to fight Tybalt since he's now happily married to Juliet. However, he unexpectedly becomes involved in it when he declares "either thou, I, or both must accompany him". This occurs after Tybalt kills Mercutio, prompting Romeo to seek revenge by battling Tybalt and ultimately killing him.

Even though he has killed Tybalt, Romeo continues to believe in fate. He says "o, I am misfortunes fool," revealing his belief that everything has been leading up to this moment. The audience may feel astonished by his actions and concerned about Juliet's response. The events of Act 3 Scene 1 have caused changes in the relationships between characters. The Friar's plan to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet in Act 2 Scene 5, which had succeeded, will likely have an altered outcome due to the events of Act 3 Scene 1.

Although the Friar had planned to marry Romeo and Juliet, he also intended to notify their families - the Montagues and Capulets - about the wedding. However, with Mercutio and Tybalt's deaths, this plan is now impossible. The Friar had hoped that the marriage would resolve the feud between the two families but it only exacerbated matters. Nevertheless, unforeseen events in Act 3 Scene1 will soon unfold.

The discussion regarding the marriage of Juliet and Paris did not result in an agreement. Lord Capulet believes that Juliet is grieving over the death of Tybalt, but she is actually upset about Romeo. To alleviate her sadness, Lord Capulet arranges a wedding for Juliet and Paris. In a conversation with Paris, Lord Capulet reveals that he will confirm Juliet's decision tomorrow, saying "I will, and know

her mind early tomorrow. Tonight she's mewed up to her happiness." Despite his intentions to cheer her up, this marriage is likely to exacerbate Juliet's misery.

Juliet is left alone since Romeo has been banished and cannot return without risking his life. Despite the option to sneak back, only Juliet will be aware of his presence. Unfortunately, there is no one else for Juliet to turn to for help. The Friar is currently preoccupied, and the Nurse would only suggest marrying Paris, a decision Juliet does not wish to make.

Juliet is left alone after this moment. This elicits empathy from the audience as she is only 13 years old and married to Romeo, while being unable to remarry due to the Catholic beliefs of the Capulets.

By marrying Romeo, Juliet has found herself in a challenging predicament as the Catholic Church forbids divorces. In contrast, if she were to wed Paris instead, Catholics believed that she would be condemned to eternal damnation. Lord Capulet is oblivious to Juliet's marriage with Romeo, and thus we empathize with her and wish to support her. This conflict ultimately culminates in the final scenes of the play.

Although suicide was deemed a mortal sin in Elizabethan times, Romeo and Juliet's suicides occurred due to their desperation. After discovering Juliet's lifeless body in the tomb, Romeo takes his own life while being unaware of her death.

Following Romeo's demise, Juliet awakens and commits suicide, resulting in the deaths of both individuals. With the previously discussed modifications to the plot, focus can now turn towards analyzing changes in relationships after Act 3 Scene 1. This begins with the shift in Romeo and Juliet's relationship.

Prior

to Act 3 Scene 2, their love was profound. However, in that scene, she begins to suspect Romeo and perceives him as wicked. It is in this moment when she delivers the speech upon discovering that Romeo was responsible for Tybalt's death. ("o serpent hid with a flowering face...")

Upon discovering that Romeo is a Montague, Juliet is shaken and questions how deception can reside in such a magnificent palace. However, after the nurse joins in on criticizing Romeo, Juliet defends him and realizes her mistake. This momentary setback ultimately stabilizes their relationship and puts the audience at ease. Additionally, the relationship between Juliet and the nurse undergoes some changes.

Prior to Act 3 Scene 2, the dynamic between Juliet and her nurse resembled that of a mother-daughter bond. During Juliet's time period, young girls were not granted the same liberty as some are presently afforded. Unless attending confession, Juliet would have required an escort for all outings. At that time, aristocratic mothers did not raise their children themselves and instead delegated this responsibility to a wet nurse. The nurse possessed knowledge of Juliet that surpassed that of her biological mother.

Following Act 3 Scene 2, the Nurse offers Juliet unwanted advice about her potential marriage, to which she responds, "I believe you are pleased with this second union..."

Juliet's faith in the nurse has been undermined due to the belief that had she confided in her about the potion, it would not have been allowed. Despite the nurse's love for Juliet, this incident will create a rift in their relationship. Additionally, this event altered Juliet's relationship with her parents.

The bond between Juliet and her parents was

weaker compared to that with the nurse, particularly Lady Capulet. Lord Capulet was rarely present in Juliet's life, except for occasional instances. Nowadays, we typically interact with our parents on a daily basis, barring any personal differences.

During Shakespearean times, girls' relationships with their parents were typically limited. While Lord Capulet did not have a close relationship with Juliet, he still had full authority over her decisions such as who she would marry or if she would marry at all. However, Lord Capulet chooses to offer her a choice in marrying Paris, which was uncommon for fathers during this era and is still relatively uncommon today.

Despite not being close to Juliet, Lord and Lady Capulet still demand her respect. Prior to Act 1 Scene 3, Juliet is obedient and dutiful to everyone, as evidenced by her polite response to Lady Capulet's consent for her to marry. This solidifies the point that she is willing to comply with their instructions.

In the beginning, Juliet's good behavior earns her the respect of the audience who feel that she is safe due to her polite demeanor. However, as the play progresses, Juliet's character transforms as she becomes more covert, deceptive, and disobedient towards her parents. This change is evident when she secretly marries Romeo against her father's wishes, with only Romeo, Friar Laurence, the Nurse and the audience being aware of her actions.

In Act 3 Scene 2, Juliet expresses disobedience by saying "is it more sin to wish me this forsworn" in response to unwanted advice from the Nurse. When the Nurse suggests that Romeo is better off dead and forgotten, Juliet loses trust in her. Nonetheless, Lord Capulet

is a commendable father of his era and offers Juliet the option of marriage.

As soon as Juliet transforms, her father changes to fit the mold of the typical fathers during that time period leaving her to face the world alone, causing the audience to feel pity. Lady Capulet does not come to her defense, even stating “do as thou wilt I am done with thee”.

Juliet seeks help from the Friar out of desperation, indicating her isolation due to a strained relationship with her parents. The audience will likely feel frustrated at their inability to assist Juliet. Although I found the language in Romeo and Juliet difficult to comprehend at first, my teacher provided a brief explanation.

Prior to undertaking this topic, I did not derive pleasure from studying Shakespeare. When I discovered that I was expected to produce an essay on this subject, I was filled with dread! Nevertheless, I persevered and now possess greater confidence when it comes to Shakespeare. Additionally, this experience has motivated me to strive for excellence in my other English exams and coursework. One similarity that I have observed between then and now is the theme of love among individuals of varying ages, both young and old, which persists even today.

The play involved a theme of hatred, particularly between the Montagues and the Capulets, although they eventually reconcile. This mirrors contemporary gang wars and other conflicts. However, Romeo's killing of Tybalt was unlikely, given that Romeo is a regular teenager without any noted fighting skills while Tybalt is an experienced and talented fighter.

I was surprised when Romeo killed Tybalt, as I had expected Tybalt to kill Romeo.

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