Romeo and Juliet?

Question

How does act 3 scene 1 make the play so effective????

Answer 1

Well, look at all the heavy stuff that happens in that scene. Romeo has just secretly married Juliet. He's feeling full of love and happiness. He meets Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, who hates him. Tybalt tries to pick a fight with Romeo, but Romeo won't fight. Instead, Romeo's friend Mercutio fights with Tybalt. Romeo tries to stop them from fighting, but when he gets between them, Tybalt lunges under Romeo's arm and fatally stabs Mercutio. Then Romeo fights with Tybalt and kills him. Tybalt's family wants Romeo executed. The Prince decides to spare Romeo's life, but orders him banished from the city. If he comes back, he'll be arrested and killed. So Romeo has to flee the city, leaving his new wife behind.

Read through the scene, paying attention to all the violent action and the dire consequences. Then decide for yourself why the scene is so important, how the events in that one scene influence everything that happens in the play from then on.