Romeo and Juliet Key Scene Essay

Question 1

Structure of Key scene Essay

Answer 1

Intro
Plot summary
Brief description of key scene - Mercutio’s death 
Impact on Mercutio 
Impact on Tybalt
Impact and Romeo
Impact on Juliet
Themes
Plot 
Conclusion

Question 2

Introduction

Answer 2

Sometimes a play has a key scene on which the whole drama hinges. Act 3, scene 1, is one such pivotal moment in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. This scene influences the characters, theme and plot of the text. After this scene, which describes the impact of violence resulting from the feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, the tragic nature of the play is revealed.

Question 3

Brief Description of Key scene

Answer 3

The key scene in the play is Mercutio’s death. Earlier in the play Romeo and his friends snuck into a party hosted by the Capulets. This angered Tybalt who later looks for Romeo to avenge his intrusion at the party. Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt which disgusts Mercutio who decides to fight Tybalt to defend the Montague family name. However this fight results in his death.

Question 4

Impact on Characters topic sentence

Answer 4

The death of Mercutio has many impacts on the play as a whole and affects many characters.

Question 5

Impact on Tybalt topic sentence

Answer 5

A character who is very quickly affected by Mercutio’s death is Tybalt who is killed by Romeo as an act of vengeance.

Question 6

Impact on Tybalt Quote

Answer 6

Romeo : “Either thou, or I or both must go with him.”

Question 7

Impact on Romeo - 2 topic sentences

Answer 7

Due to Mercutio being killed by Tybalt, Romeo’s hatred is despaired and it overpowers his love. ( first quote + analysis)
Mercutio’s death results in Romeo seeking revenge and killing Tybalt, due to this the prince banishes Romeo from Verona. (second quote + analysis).

Question 8

Impact on Romeo quotes

Answer 8

Romeo: “Fire eyed fury be my conduct now”
Prince: “Immediately we do exile him hence”
Romeo: “There is no world without Verona’s walls”

Question 9

Impact on Juliet topic sentence

Answer 9

Juliet now becomes increasingly isolated because of Tybalt’s death. She has to deal with the fact that Romeo has killed one of her family members and is banished, and as a result becomes more defiant and independent. After much confusion between the Nurse and Juliet, she finds out that in fact Romeo has killed her cousin Tybalt and is shocked at first. However soon after it is very evident that Juliet deeply loves Romeo as she comes to Romeo’s defence when the a nurse wishes shame upon him saying:

Question 10

Impact on Juliet quote

Answer 10

“Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?”

Question 11

Themes - topic sentence for 1st quote

Answer 11

Throughout the beginning of the play, love is the main theme. This is clear in act 1 scene 5 as Romeo expresses his newfound love for Juliet. Romeo says: (quote 1)

Question 12

Themes - topic sentence for 2nd quote

Answer 12

In act 3 scene 1 we see the main theme shift from love to hate as Tybalt tries to kill
Romeo for his univinted attendance at the Capulet party which leads to the death of
Mercutio. Shakespeare characterises Romeo as someone transformed by hatred and the need for revenge as he cries: (quote 2)

Question 13

Themes -quotes

Answer 13

“Did my heart love till now, forswear it sight for I ne’ver saw true beauty till this night.”

“Fire eyed fury be my conduct now.”

Question 14

Theme - reference to question

Answer 14

Prior to the death of Mercutio love was the main theme and was seen as more powerful powerful than hate, however after his death we realise the extent of the animosity and understand that tragic events are inevitable.

Question 15

Plot topic sentence

Answer 15

The death of Mercutio in Act 3 Scene 1 is an intensely dramatic scene and now Shakespeare drives the narrative pace.
The time the lovers spend together is now all too short; Romeo becomes alone and
desperate; Juliet becomes estranged from her family and when the plan fails, the
conclusion of the tragic downward spiral that started in act 3 scene 1, culminates in the deaths of the young lovers.

Question 16

Plot - quote

Answer 16

“More light and light, more dark and dark our woes!”

Question 17

Conclusion

Answer 17

In conclusion the death of Mercutio in Act 3 Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is a scene which has huge impacts on the future events of the play.
The death of Mercutio leads to many key events including the death of Tybalt, a change in the personalities of Romeo and Juliet, the banishment of Romeo and is a key factor that leads to the death of both Romeo and Juliet.
When Mercutio and Tybalt die in Act 3 Scene 1, so do our hopes for a happy outcome for the innocent and hopeful pair. With these tragic deaths, the play changes tone very suddenly from being full of love and hope to being filled with anger and hatred. Shakespeare shows the impact of such violence on both central families, and most evidently on the two lovers who were destined only to be together in death.