Analysis of "Romeo and Juliet", Act 3 Scene 1, 'The Turning Point'.
The story of "Romeo and Juliet" is a tragedy. This is well known among most people, but why is this play a tragedy? When did it all start? Where is the turning point in this play? I think that the turning point is Act 3 Scene 1. This is the point where the tragedy starts. This scene focuses much on Romeo. When Romeo kills Tybalt in this scene, the Capulets don't just hate the Montagues, they hate them a lot. This essay will describe what happened in Act 3 Scene 1, why the scene is the turning point and why the tragedy happened.
Romeo and Juliet are married straight before Act 3 Scene 1. The marriage is a happy and romantic scene. Act 3 Scene 1 begins with Benvolio advising Mercutio to retire for the day:
"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire:
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad..."
The quote contains a double meaning. "The day is hot" can mean the weather and their tempers. A hot temper would be disastrous when they meet the Capulets. The weather also had some connection with their tempers. People tend to become agitated when the weather gets hot and stuffy. When people are agitated, they tend to snap and rage a bit more often than usual. Benvolio clearly expressed this point later on in the play:
"...for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring"
Unfortunately, Mercutio didn't agree with Benvolio. Instead, he made fun of Benvolio for being eager to quarrel over just about anything in this weather:
"...thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes..."
Of course, Mercutio was just using hyperbole. An example of a modern day hyperbole would be the quote "I could sleep for a year". Mercutio also punned with his words. Notice how the words "hazel" and "nuts" link? Although they are pretty lame puns in the modern age, it shows how witty and jolly Mercutio was. The atmosphere gets tenser when the Capulets arrive at the scene. Although Benvolio was worried about them, Mercutio didn't care and
Romeo and Juliet are married straight before Act 3 Scene 1. The marriage is a happy and romantic scene. Act 3 Scene 1 begins with Benvolio advising Mercutio to retire for the day:
"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire:
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad..."
The quote contains a double meaning. "The day is hot" can mean the weather and their tempers. A hot temper would be disastrous when they meet the Capulets. The weather also had some connection with their tempers. People tend to become agitated when the weather gets hot and stuffy. When people are agitated, they tend to snap and rage a bit more often than usual. Benvolio clearly expressed this point later on in the play:
"...for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring"
Unfortunately, Mercutio didn't agree with Benvolio. Instead, he made fun of Benvolio for being eager to quarrel over just about anything in this weather:
"...thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes..."
Of course, Mercutio was just using hyperbole. An example of a modern day hyperbole would be the quote "I could sleep for a year". Mercutio also punned with his words. Notice how the words "hazel" and "nuts" link? Although they are pretty lame puns in the modern age, it shows how witty and jolly Mercutio was. The atmosphere gets tenser when the Capulets arrive at the scene. Although Benvolio was worried about them, Mercutio didn't care and