Look at the first two acts of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and discuss how the different styles of language create mood change
Romeo and Juliet, said to be one of the most famous love stories of all times, is a play anchored on the language of Shakespeare. The language that helps the story move forward in time; also creating the mood in which each scene is set and which characters develop them.
There are three main mood changes which happen in the first two acts: comedy, tragedy and romance. Comedy is often of a sexual nature, referring to the theme of love in physical ways and is often light hearted. Tragedy is the sombre note of the play, the grief and sadness of the play, referring to the theme of death. Finally romance, the love that characters have, and the bonds they share; it is the differences between the artificial love, and the more genuine, pure love.
The timing of each action influences the outcome of the play. While some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the development of this tragedy. These all develop by changes the audience’s mood, and some time alliances to keep the play moving.
The play opens with Sampson and Gregory bragging about which would be tougher in a fight. They bristle in manhood and testosterone, making countless references to their sexual prowess, “therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall”. Sampson intends to de-flower the Montague’s maids in his crude sexual fantasies. These jokes and puns are all said in a public place making the two men starting the play on a comical note. All this rowdiness is calmed by the prince whose language only prepares the audience for the later tragedy; “if ever you disturb our streets again, you lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”, this is a mighty sentence he sets on both families. Here he not only references to the two lover’s death, but also the 5 other deaths that happen in the play: tybalt, lady Capulet, and Paris. Yet in another contrast in Act 1, Romeo’s speech to Benvolio is one of a comical, although the comedy is relating to a romantic
There are three main mood changes which happen in the first two acts: comedy, tragedy and romance. Comedy is often of a sexual nature, referring to the theme of love in physical ways and is often light hearted. Tragedy is the sombre note of the play, the grief and sadness of the play, referring to the theme of death. Finally romance, the love that characters have, and the bonds they share; it is the differences between the artificial love, and the more genuine, pure love.
The timing of each action influences the outcome of the play. While some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the development of this tragedy. These all develop by changes the audience’s mood, and some time alliances to keep the play moving.
The play opens with Sampson and Gregory bragging about which would be tougher in a fight. They bristle in manhood and testosterone, making countless references to their sexual prowess, “therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall”. Sampson intends to de-flower the Montague’s maids in his crude sexual fantasies. These jokes and puns are all said in a public place making the two men starting the play on a comical note. All this rowdiness is calmed by the prince whose language only prepares the audience for the later tragedy; “if ever you disturb our streets again, you lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”, this is a mighty sentence he sets on both families. Here he not only references to the two lover’s death, but also the 5 other deaths that happen in the play: tybalt, lady Capulet, and Paris. Yet in another contrast in Act 1, Romeo’s speech to Benvolio is one of a comical, although the comedy is relating to a romantic