The enjoyment and understanding of the play Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

is considered impolite. The scene features oxymorons and puns, such as "bright-smoke" and "I will draw my naked weapon," which provoke thought and provide comic relief. The line "Naked Weapon" in Act One Scene One captures the audience's attention, hinting at violence. However, the scene starts as a comedy with Sampson joking about his "naked weapon," which could be interpreted as verbal or physical aggression.

A humorous vibe is apparent with the mention of "naked," while "weapon" creates an air of danger. Sexual references are used to convey both comedic and violent themes within a single line, resulting in a tense and uneasy environment that suggests a potential conflict. Despite the lighthearted tone associated with "naked," it may be camouflaged and overlooked, leading viewers to remain doubtful and skeptical of its true nature.

It is likely that the audience was familiar with public fights due to the prevalence of duelling, which was once practiced by ancient individuals. This practice was so ingrained that it could have caused the citizens of Verona to feel as though they were witnessing a grave-casting. The portrayal of this setting is fitting, given that notorious feuds were frequently waged between Italian family dynasties. Additionally, the introduction of characters like Romeo provides further insight into their individual personalities.

In this scene, Romeo demonstrates how easily and profoundly he falls in love with the statement "I have lost myself, I am not here, and this is not Romeo." The characters in the scene display varying behaviors and attitudes. Benvolio acts as a peacemaker and an honest individual as demonstrated by his initial statement:"part fools! Put up your swords you know not what you do." This

indicates that he possesses a good sense of what is right and wrong, given that they are in a feud with the Capulets due to generational differences.

Benvolio understands the potential consequences of acting impulsively out of anger. In contrast, Tybalt is characterized by his callousness, aggression, and irascibility, declaring "peace, I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montague's and thee." This statement is truly impactful to the audience, conveying Tybalt's visceral abhorrence of the Montagues with a force so intense that words cannot adequately express it. It paints an image of two magnetic forces pushing away from each other but also drawing towards each other for the purpose of mutual destruction.

Though Sampson and Gregory, the servants of the Capulet household, do not play a significant role in this scene, they amuse the audience with their insults towards Montagues and women. Their exchange is marked by attempts to outdo each other and belittlement of women, as seen when Gregory boasts about "thrust[ing] his maids to the wall." Such behavior reflects the general lack of respect society had for women, who were often forced into unwanted marriages. Act three Scene one opens with the phrase "tis the mad blood stirring," which implies a popular belief that heat could drive people insane.

Benvolio, known as a true peacemaker, tries to calm Mercutio and advises him to go inside. This pivotal moment in the play marks the shift from comedy to aggression and sorrow. The theme of violence continues with insult and puns such as "good king of cats" and "rat-catcher Tybalt." The use of animal imagery, including "a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat" emphasizes Mercutio's

seriousness. The insults show that Mercutio struggles to express himself, and they remind the audience that Tybalt was referred to as the prince of cats due to his tendency to fight and emerge unharmed.

Similar to a cat, he frequently puts his life at risk and adeptly escapes danger. The utilization of aggressive language captivatingly entices the audience, instilling a sense of anticipation for what is to follow. Shakespeare meticulously selected his words to demonstrate the absence of regard between the two families, further emphasizing that regardless of their dissimilarities, all the characters still possess animalistic qualities and exhibit an inability to exercise self-restraint.

Throughout Act three Scene one, Tybalt remains the same fiery and aggressive person that he always was. On the other hand, Romeo begins the scene as a gentle and loving individual but undergoes a significant transformation after Mercutio, his best friend, dies. Romeo's fury takes over as he declares "fire-ey'd fury be my conduct now," abandoning all care and allowing anger to consume him. Mercutio maintains his funny, sarcastic personality from before the scene until his tragic death for which he blames Romeo: "why the dev'l came you between us! I was hurt under your arm." The jester, Mercutio, becomes serious in his final moments.

Romeo is skeptical because Mercutio's initial remark was "Ay, ay, a scratch," which uses animal imagery to belittle Tybalt for scratching like a cat. This creates an air of mystery about the concealed romance, leaving the audience questioning if Romeo will respond. Furthermore, there is dramatic irony since the audience possesses more knowledge than the characters onstage.

Tybalt is unaware of Romeo and Juliet's marriage. Romeo

delivers a speech where he declares, "this day's black fate on moe days doth depend, this but begins others must end." He conveys that the misfortune of today is linked to the events of the past and sets the tone for what is yet to come.

Inferentially, the feud between the two families has become unbearable, as stated by Romeo. The quote also highlights sorrow and perpetuates the theme of fate. Romeo further states that "Mercutio's soul is but a little above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company; either thou or I, or both must go with him," indicating that Mercutio has recently passed away and his soul is still present. Romeo makes it explicit that in addition to Mercutio, someone else must die, and he refers to Tybalt.

Romeo's anger and language indicate that he would not back down from a fight with Mercutio. He is determined to defend his reputation, even if it means engaging in a physical altercation. However, he does not seem to consider the fact that Tybalt, whom he is preparing to fight, is related to Juliet. Killing Tybalt would hurt Juliet as well, but this thought does not seem to cross Romeo's mind as he focuses on planning his attack.

Right after that, Tybalt passes away. Romeo suddenly comprehends his own actions and acknowledges his previous ignorance, consumed by concerns for his social status. He dubs himself a "fortune's fool", understanding that his fate or luck has been influenced by his behavior. He reveals his feelings of shame and foolishness while also belittling the progress he has made in his life.

Despite his eagerness to reclaim his status

and avoid appearing cowardly, the protagonist's actions resulted in his banishment. The violence portrayed in the play is highly impactful, capturing the attention of the audience and creating a tense atmosphere after each character's dialogue. It is evident that Shakespeare meticulously selected each word and strategically placed them for optimal effect and enjoyment of the audience. The varying sentence lengths, including short, succinct sentences that heighten the pace and tempo, contribute to the overall buildup of violence and suspense.

While violence may grab an audience's attention and keep them on the edge, I believe it would not be particularly helpful in today's context as feuds are no longer common. Insults used in the 16th century, such as biting one's thumb or calling someone a villain, would not be insulting to modern audiences and may even provoke amusement due to their lack of understanding. However, it is worth noting that stupidity can sometimes create humor.

In my view, the inclusion of two violent scenes is crucial for Romeo and Juliet to make sense. Without them, the play would lack purpose and fail to retain the attention of a volatile audience. Shakespeare's ability to merge comedy and tragedy makes this play significant. Act one Scene one is well-structured with each point leading to the next.

Mercutio's death is connected to Tybalt's death, which in turn leads to Romeo's banishment. While this connection may not be immediately obvious, the audience will slowly pick up on it as the story progresses.