How Is Violence Represented in Act 3 Scene 1 in ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

How Is Violence Represented In Act 3 Scene 1 In ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

In this essay I am going to analyse how Shakespeare portrays violence in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and, more specifically, Act 3 Scene 1. Shakespeare did not create 'Romeo and Juliet’ but took the idea from a poem by Arthur brooks. 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragedy and was written between 1591 and 1596. It is one of the greatest love stories ever written however violence, hate and conflict are very prominent. For example, at the start of the play even the servants were fighting. This reveals that conflict is very strong between the two families. People in Shakespeare’s time liked to witness violence so ’Romeo and Juliet’ was extremely popular and has a great reputation.

The two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, have been at war with each other for many years. They were so caught up in this feud for so long that the reason for the fighting was forgotten. This feud does not affect Romeo and Tybalt, the people at the centre of all this fighting, at the beginning of the play but does later on. For example, in Act 3 Scene 1 Romeo says ‘Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting’. This suggests that Romeo will not fight Tybalt now that they are related. However, Tybalt does not know this and fights Romeo but Romeo does not react. The feud between the Capulets and Montagues drives Romeo and Juliet apart because their families loathe each other.

The idea represented by Tybalt is that the families have a history of fighting and will always fight. For example, he says ‘Boy this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me. Therefore, turn and draw’. This suggests that Tybalt wants revenge and that there is great anger between them and they will continue in this way. Tybalt also quotes ‘Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford. No better term than this: thou art a villain.’ In Shakespeare’s time the word ‘Villain’ much greater an insult to them than to us. Also, it is ironic that Tybalt is calling Romeo a villain considering that the audience would think Tybalt is the most villainous character in the play.

Act 3, Scene 1 is the turning point of the play because Tybalt kills Mercutio which leads to Romeo killing Tybalt. Consequently Romeo is banished to Mantua. Juliet pretends to kill herself and at the fake funeral Romeo’s friend mistakes it for a real funeral. The deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt sparks the rest of the play.

At the very start of Act 3, Scene1 Benvolio and Mercutio are talking about how easily the other is provoked. For example, Mercutio says ‘Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street because he hath waken thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun.’ This suggests that Benvolio loves to fight and will fight with a stranger if he coughed and woke up a sleeping dog. This creates an uncomfortable and hostile atmosphere. Mercutio is in an irritable and jokey mood. For example, when Benvolio says that the Capulets are coming, Mercutio says ‘By my heel I care not’. This reveals that he is not bothered by the Capulets. Also when Benvolio says people are watching, Mercutio says ‘Men’s eyes were made to look, let them gaze; I will not budge for no man’s pleasure.’ This suggests that he is not afraid to talk to the Capulets in public.