What happened in act 3 scene 1 in Romeo and Juliet and how was it the pivotal scene in the play?

Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare, the play is about two young people from two feuding families who fall in love, the prologue states that the play is a tragedy resulting in the death of both lovers. Romeo and Juliet begins as a romantic play, but eventually turns into a tragedy as the story unfolds, this leads to the death of both Romeo and Juliet but also signifies the end of a feud between two families. During the beginning of the play, Romeo, a Montague, is very much outside of the family feud, and so is Juliet. This is shown by the way Romeo does not get involved with any of the fights between the families, and instead sulks about how the lady he needs does not woo his love. The characters are first introduced as a fight breaks out between Tybalt, an aggressive Capulet, And Benvolio, a Montague. This is broken up by the Price of Verona, who tells them that the next person that plays a role in the violent feud will be put to death. In this scene Tybalts short temper and aggressive personality is displayed. If you ever disturb out streets again, your lives shall pay forfeit of the peace

This threat made by the Prince adds mystery as the audience know that a fight will break up, but do not know who will be put to death. Later on in Act 1 Romeo and some of the other Montagues decide to gate crash a Capulet party (Romeo does this in hope to see Rosaline, the lady he loves). Once masked and inside the party, Romeo sees an attractive woman, who is later discovered to be Juliet, Romeo immediately falls in love with Juliet at first sight after Benvolio tells him to forget about Rosaline and go for other attractive women. Romeos tragic flaw within the play is that he falls in love too easily, this happens at this scene. Later on in the party, after dancing with Juliet, Romeo and the other Montagues are identified by Tybalt, who claims to recognise Romeo by his voice. Tybalt Challenges Romeo to a duel, of which Romeo declines, claiming that he does not want to fight. This again shows that Romeo does not participate in the feud. Tybalt is stopped by his uncle, Capulet himself, who asks Romeo to leave, but assures Tybalt that there will be plenty of opportunities to fight Romeo. After the party, Romeo stealthily follows Juliet, eventually they talk, and declare their love for each other and agree that they want to get married, despite Juliets mother wanting her to get married to a man called Paris, who loves Juliet and wishes to marry her. Soon after Juliet gets married to Romeo, by Friar Lawrence, who reluctantly agrees to marry them both,

as he believes it could help present an end to the ridiculous feud that is taking place. Act III Scene I. During act 3 scene 1 Tybalt tries to fight Romeo, however Romeo once again turns down the fight, and tells Tybalt that he loves him, because they are now related by marriage, this is dramatic irony because the audience know why Romeo does not want to fight, but Tybalt does not! Tybalt however, does not take Romeos response as an answer, and immediately tries to fight him however Romeos friend Mercutio defends Romeo and gets killed in the act. Vengeance then overcomes Romeo, and he plunges a blade into Tybalt, killing him. This scene provides a pivotal point in the play, which is where it starts to become a tragedy, where Romeo is dragged into the feud, and as a result banished from Verona, leaving Juliet unsure on whether to love Romeo or hate him. Eventually after a night together, Juliet decides that she still loves Romeo and she will see him again, however she also says that it is vital that he leaves Verona for the time being. In conclusion, I think that act III scene I is the pivotal scene in the play, this is because, Romeo, who was against the feud, is brought into it, and as a result, banished from Verona, and unable to see his lover again, this then results in the death of both Romeo and Juliet later in the story.