Romeo And Juliet: Act III, Scene V Essay, Research Paper

Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scene V

Act III, Scene V of Romeo and Juliet is significant for it is the most

pivotal scene of this tragic play. Although prior scenes present extreme

circumstances, this scene reveals the results of past activities and begins a

series of tragic misunderstandings and fatal reactions. Transformations

occuring amongst characters and their relationships with one another and the

tone of the play are revealed in this scene. Through language, Shakespeare

presents these changes as well as foreshadowing the eventual tragedy Romeo and

Juliet’s death. From this point on in the play there are no more comedic or

romantic scenes. The following scenes are of extreme actions, mishap and

tragedy. The “star-crossed lovers” cannot escape their fate.

One of the many transformations presented in this scene is that of Romeo

and Juliet’s love for one another. Romeo and Juliet’s love makes the transition

from infatuation to a deep and sincere love. In earlier scenes they used overly

romantic language and metaphor, whereas, now they speak to one another of their

love in a mature and tender way. They will do anything to be with one another,

for their love surpasses any emotion for their familial or community ties. They

are willing to make any sacrifice in order to have their desire for one another

fulfilled. Both Romeo and Juliet enjoy each other’s company on their first

morning together following their marriage and they do not want to part.

Juliet’s first visible transformation to adulthood is revealed here. In

Romeo’s desire to be with Juliet, he is willing to risk capture, and most

probably death, in being found within the Capulet walls. Romeo, although

maturing in his feelings of love and intimacy is still young and reckless in his

behavior. In contrast, upon rationalizing the circumstance of daylight and

their being found, Juliet eventually pleads for Romeo to leave “O, now be gone!

More light and light it grows.” (III, v, 35) To which Romeo responds, “More

light and light- more dark and dark our woes.” (III, v, 36) The metaphors

associated with light (i.e. the sun, the moon, the day) which previously

protected their affair is now their enemy. Nature itself has turned upon them

and pushes to seal their fate. Upon his exit, in a foreshadowing tone, Juliet

thinks she sees his body not on the ground, but “as one dead in the bottom of a

tomb.” (III, v, 56) In prior scenes Juliet was mesmerized and infatuated and

would not have been able to make Romeo leave. In this scene Juliet is

transformed from that of a little girl, to that of a rational, independent and

self-sufficient adult.

Another transformation in Juliet is that in earlier scenes she always

followed the wishes of her parents or least did not challenge them verbally. In

this scene, Juliet verbally defies both of her parents by refusing to marry

Paris. Even more boldly, she exclaims that she will not marry anyone other than

Romeo. She holds fast to her heart’s desire despite the foreshadowing threats

of her father:

Hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,

For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee.

(III, v, 194-195)

Another transition in relationships is that between Juliet and her nurse.

Up until this scene the Nurse was her maternal figure and confidant. Following

her argument with her parents over marrying Paris, the Nurse sides with the

Capulets and recommends that Juliet do the same. Shocked Juliet says, “Speakest

thou from you heart?” (III, v, 228) Juliet feels a responsibility not only to

Romeo, but finds it hard to believe that the Nurse would have her break both

legal and moral laws in marrying Paris. She feels betrayed and thus ends her

faith in the Nurse and her intimate ties as well, “Thou and my bosom henceforth

shall be twain.” (III, v, 242) Her final hope is to go to Friar Lawrence hoping

that he may help her. She resolves to the idea that, “If all else fail, myself

have power to die.” (III, v, 244)

All through the play the lover’s fate is being sealed. Through Romeo

and Juliet’s words as well as the other characters their fate is continually

alluded to. This does not ruin a surprise ending, rather it makes the

anticipation of the known fate all the more dramatic and tense. The audience

knows what is going to happen and this scene clearly sets the path for the

upcoming series of tragic mishaps to unfold at a rapid pace. The world of Romeo

and Juliet is one which does not understand true love emotions. It is a world

governed by tradition, desire for power, hate, revenge and fate. There is no

room in this world for true love to exist for it is not accepted by the whole as

a relevant motivation for the types of actions which Romeo and Juliet take.

Romeo and Juliet’s world of love and their language of love falls upon the deaf

ears of the other characters in this violent world of Verona. This scene

illustrates Romeo and Juliet’s growth as lovers versus a vengeful community

which leads to a tragic fate.

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