How is dramatic tension built and maintained throughout Act 3 Scene 5 in Romeo and Juliet?
At first Juliet does not wish Romeo to go. She follows her heart rather than her head, forgetting the danger he will be in if discovered, when she declares “Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day: /It was the nightingale, and not the lark” We are reminded of the seriousness of the situation when Romeo, for once, recognises what he must do. He tells Juliet “I must be gone and live, or stay and die”. After further encouragement from Juliet, Romeo yields, accepting death rather than separation from his dear Juliet, declaring “Let me be ta’en, let me be put to death; / I am content, so thou wilt have it so”. Only at this point does Juliet begin to behave rationally, telling Romeo “It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away!” This indecision and the constant reminders of the peril Romeo faces if he is found in Verona add to the dramatic tension. The two are then forced to hurry as Juliet is warned by the nurse that her mother is approaching. As they say their goodbyes, the tragic ending is f
