Act 3 Scene 5

In act 3 scene 5, Romeo leaves Juliet in her bedroom and escapes to Mantua. Juliets mother, Lady Capulet, then comes in to give her the wonderful news that shes going to marry Paris. Juliet says that she doesnt want to, but Lord Capulet tells her that if she doesnt, hell disown her. She turns to her mother for help, but she says that shes fed up. As a last hope Juliet turns to the Nurse, but she also agrees that she should marry Paris. After this, Juliet decides to go and see Friar Lawrence, and kill herself if she has to marry Paris. In this scene, Shakespeare uses a lot of clever wording, actions, and directions to hold the audiences attention. It is unpredictable, despite the fact that everyone already knows whats going to happen, like when Capulet explodes (at least in Basil Urmans) when Juliet says she doesnt want to marry Paris:But fettle your fine joints gainst Thursday marry next To go with Paris to Saint Peters Church, } Paris, or I will force you Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Get to church on Get thee to church aThursday, you } Thursday, or get ready to

Or never after look me in the face. daughter

wont be my anymore

It also incorporates dramatic irony, as Capulet doesnt know that this is because shes married to Romeo, or that she is crying for the loss of Romeo, not for Tybalts death, whereas the audience does. However, in Shakespeares day the audience would probably have felt a bit more sympathetic for Lord Capulet, as they could empathise for him going through all the trouble of finding a good man, meeting up with him, and asking him questions, while today it seems bizarre to choose a husband for your daughter, or vice versa. On the other hand, they could have hated him and Lady Capulet, as they are a bit full of themselves for choosing such a magnificent husband, and therefore quite unfeeling towards Juliet and her point of view; Do as though wilt, for I have done with thee. Any audience will also be captivated by the way the Nurse, Juliets one reliable friend, seemingly abandons her by saying that she should forget Romeo, as hes as good as dead, and should marry Paris. Although she doesnt mean this in a cruel way, it makes no difference to Juliet, who vows to kill herself if she has to marry Paris; If all else fail, myself have power to die. He has a good use of metaphors at the beginning of the scene e.g. the fearful hollow of thine ear, Night's candles are burnt out and the pale reflex of Cynthia's brow (meaning moonlight). He also has a fairly fine play on words, the lark makes sweet division, where division means

breaking apart (as in Romeo leaving) and a melodic line; so to say the Larks singing marks our parting. Juliets soliloquy at the end is a good summary of how she feels about the events of the scene, and it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats so to speak, making them stay interested in the play for a bit longer. It also lets us get to know Juliets personality a bit better, helping us understand how she feels. Finally, it makes the audience want to watch the rest, as theyll want to find out what happens to Romeo and whether Juliet marries Paris or whether she kills herself to escape, and what Lady Capulet does about her offer to send someone to kill Romeo.