The Play

Q1. When are we given a warning about this scene? Provide a quote to support this.
The audience is given a warning about this scene in the prologue, where the chorus creates a foreboding atmosphere, “Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean”.

Q2. How is dramatic irony utilised in this scene?
Dramatic irony is utilized in this scene, as the characters do not know that the tense relationship between the two families will cause an inevitable distress between the two protagonists. As Romeo has exchanged vowels with Juliet, he expresses to Benvolio that “the reason that I have love thee, Doth much excuse the appertaining rage”. The audience has the knowledge that Romeo has exchanged vowels, however Benvolio does not.

Q3. Explain how and why Shakespeare has utilised puns in this scene.
In the fight scene Shakespeare has utilised puns in the scene through the misunderstandings and differing points of view between the characters. In one part of the scene he states '[Tybalt] Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. [Mercutio] Consort? What, dost make us minstrels?' Shaespeare uses these puns to highlight the wit that Mercrutio posseses.

Q4. What is the significence of the repetition of 'A plague on both your houses?'
'A plague on both your houses' is repeated by Mercrutio whilst he dies from a quarrel with Tybalt becoming 'worms' meat'. Mercrutio was neither a Capulet or Montague and so the curse was placed on their houses by Mercrutio, representing the rest of society's and their opions on the feud. The people of Verona had realised that the feud between the two families was petty and insignifcent and should have ended by now. This is significent because it is fulfilling the prophecy identified in the prologue whilst showing the hatred the feud between the families is causing in Verona as 'civil blood makes civil hands unclean.'

	Created by James Jenner about 11 years ago

Year 10 English Note on Romeo and Juliet, created by James Jenner on 28/10/2013.

Romeo and Juliet