Final answer:
Shakespeare needed to create tension in Romeo and Juliet because the audience was already familiar with the story. His mastery of language and dramatic technique engaged audiences and made each production unique, despite the known outcome of the tragic narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shakespeare had to find interesting ways to create tension in Romeo and Juliet primarily because many people in his audience would have already known the overall story of the play (Option A). The narrative was not novel to the audience since plays during the Elizabethan era often relied on familiar stories that had been passed down through generations or were well-known through previous works. It was the unique interpretation, the dramatic tension, and the artistic possibilities of each production that captivated the audience and made each performance singular.
Despite the plot's familiarity, tension was crucial for audience engagement. Shakespeare used dramatic techniques such as the use of iambic pentameter to enhance the poetic quality of the dialogue and a skillful build-up to the climax to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering how the known events would unfold. This mastery in storytelling is why Shakespeare's works, such as Romeo and Juliet, remain classics that are studied and reinvented in countless productions globally to this day.