In act 3 scene 1 in the romantic story of Romeo and Juliet there is a violent quarrel between Mercutio and Tybalt, in which Mercutio, whose Romeos best friend is stabbed and shortly after dies. Romeo who had been trying to stop the blood feud between the two enemies because he had just surreptiously married Juliet, provoked by his best friend death and so gets angry and gets his vengeance by horrifically murdering Tybalt, who is a Capulet. Act 3 Scene 1 is an important moment in the play as it’s the thrilling point. After killing his worst enemy, Romeo is banished from Verona to Mantua as a result of his actions. This punishment extends to larger complications in Romeos life. The ultimate misunderstanding leads to the end of Romeo and Juliet’s fairy tale love life. In Baz Luhrmanns modern version of the film, the director uses suitable special affects, for example camera shots from different angles, music and so on to show what Romeo’s character is like.
At the beginning of the scene, unaware of the Capulets, Romeo is in a happy mood because he has just married the woman of his dreams, Juliet. In Luhrmann’s film Romeo suddenly notices Tybalt standing there with his associates, with blood shut eyes and an evil grin on his face he speaks, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this; thou art a villain”. Romeo is astonished when Tybalt calls Romeo a villain and responds: “Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. A villain am I none”. This quotation shows that Romeo has faith in peace and love. It also shows that Romeo is trying to calm the complicated circumstances down. In the film version, Luhrmann shows Romeo jumping out of his car, shouting out to Mercutio so that he can divulge the life-changing secret to his best friend. The director shows the happy atmosphere and exited expressions by dong close ups on Romeo’s face and putting happy music on in the background to show that it’s a happy day for him.
In the middle of the scene Romeo is challenged by Tybalt to have a draw. But, because Romeo realises that Tybalt is a relative of his, he hesitates and tries to express his feeling to Tybalt by saying “I do protest, I never injured thee, but love thee better that thou shall know the reason of my love”. But Tybalt isn’t impressed by this and once again tries to provoke Romeo to have a fight by calling him a “boy”. But this either doesn’t stimulate Romeo. In the movie of Romeo and Juliet Luhrmann exhibits Romeo kneeling down in front of Tybalt looking up to him to show that Romeo has given up and offers Tybalt his gun. Tybalt now starts to brutally kick Romeo on the floor. Even at this time Romeo isn’t provoked by Tybalt’s vigorous activity. Even though Romeo is bloodied and injured badly he doesn’t give up in hope for peace. Romeo offers Tybalt a handshake but Tybal declines the offer and carries on hurting Romeo. To show Romeos honesty and peaceful mind, Luhrmann uses the camera on Romeos facial expressions.
When the fighting starts occurring and Tybalt is kicking Romeo, Mercutio looses his patience and is angered by Romeos refusal to fight and challenges Tybalt. “Make haste, least mine be about your ears ere it be out”. Tybalt accepts his offer and make his move on Mercutio. Romeo however doesn’t appreciate Mercutios concern and says “draw Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen for shame forbear this outrage”. Romeo then steps between them and tries to stop them from fighting, which shows that he is willing to give up his life again for peace. Romeo then puts his arm over Mercutios gun, unknowingly that Mercutio is unable you see the knife in Tybalts hand, which causes Mercutios injury. Luhrmann shows this violent atmosphere by showing Mercutios angry face when Romeo refuses to fight and, as Mercutio slowly dies the weather gets worse and worse.
When Romeo sees Mercutios face, which is full of pain, Romeo asks Mercutio “art thou hurt”? This quotation shows that Romeo can’t accept that Mercutio can ever get hurt. But at this stage Mercutio is in denial and states ” Ay ay a scratch, a scratch. But afterward he gets a glimpse of his deep wound and tells Benvoilo “Go villain, fetch a surgeon”. But Romeo thinks Mercutio is over exaggerating and takes it as a joke. We find this evidence when he says, “Courage man, the hurt cannot be much”. Mercutio, who knows he is going to die doesn’t give up playing with words for example ” ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man”.
When Mercutio says his lines Romeo suddenly realises that his friends’ injury is bad. Luhrmann presents this moment by, once again showing facial expressions and in act 3 when Mercutios is about to die he shouts out “plague upon your houses”. As he says these words more clouds start to gather over them. A storm is almost about to break out and in the background slow and sad music to show that there was something magical about the words Mercutio said. When Mercutio is on the floor, Romeo holds his head up to support his friend. This shows that Romeo will be with his friend until death does them apart.
When Mercutio has taken his last breaths and gives up, Romeo gets a sudden rush of mixed emotions, anger sadness, and disappointment. But mostly he blames himself for Mercutios death. We find this evidence when he says, “my friend, hath got this mortal hurt. In my behalf: my reputation stained”. Romeo blames himself for Mercutios death and resentful of Tybalts insults, fear that his love for Juliet has weakened him. Learning that Mercutio is dead because of him, he promises to kill Tybalt. Tybalt seems to be shocked at what he has done to Mercutio and knows he is going to have to pay for the crime. Romeo who now sees Tybalt, moves towards him and managed to make Tybalt fall into the sea, which causes his death and Romeo a murderer. Benvolio enters the scene and warns Romeo about the law and tells Romeo ” Romeo away be gone”.
He suddenly realises that he has killed his own cousin and his friend and cries out “oh, I’m a fortunes fool”! He knows that his crime will lead to death and so, which means that he will never see Juliet. Luhrmann shows the emotions by having close ups on the characters faces. When Romeo has killed Tybalt there is a long silence and suddenly there is a glimpse of Juliet, which suggests that he’s thinking about Juliet more that about his own life.
