Romeo and Juliet has violence and conflict as one of its central themes Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet has violence and conflict as one of its central themes Essay If we were to think about the worlds greatest lovers, our attention would be immediately drawn to Romeo and Juliet. Why is this? Could it be because there love is so pure, so unspoilt? Or is it because the innocent couples lives ended so unpredictably? Are we intrigued by the role played by fate in the lives of every day people? Could it be that Shakespeare immortalised the couple in poetry that remains quite breathtaking in its intensity and beauty? Chance, destiny, and fate are all discussed in this play, because of the questionable theories of the time. Is it a popular story because of the universal themes: love, hate and death? The story starts with a boy and girl, Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love after seeing each other at a ball. To their horror they discover that their families are sworn enemies. They get married secretly, because of Juliets arranged marriage with Paris. Romeo gets banished forever for taking tybalts life. The lovers part, having spent the night in each others arms. The Friar explains how Juliet can escape from her coming marriage to Paris by taking a poison to fake death. Later that night Juliet takes the poison alone in her room. The Nurse discovers Juliets dead body the following morning. In Juliets tomb a despairing Romeo takes Poison. The star- crossed lovers are united at last in death. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet has violence and conflict as one of its central themes specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet has violence and conflict as one of its central themes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet has violence and conflict as one of its central themes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The story of Romeo and Juliet had been around for along time before Shakespeare decided to set it as a play. The story of the tragic lovers was said to have originated in Italian myth and folklore, finding its way to England via France. The story of Romeo and Giulietta appeared as a poem by Arthur Brooke. Also William Painter wrote Romeus and Juliet in a prose version. Shakespeare took what had come to England as a poem and transformed it into a play. Shakespeares play is set in Verona in about the 12th or 13th century. The play takes place in mid July. The playwright uses the heat of the mid summer to heighten a constant sense of irritability. This increases the tension as the characters become involved in the action. Shakespeare also chooses an urban, wealthy and sophisticated setting because it allows him the opportunity to portray a wide spectrum of society. It is because of this that English people are interested in the film, also by the art and culture of the Renaissance. Conflict is a common thing in Romeo and Juliet. When the play opens we find ourselves in a world where gangs roam the streets in search of trouble from rival gangs. The conflict is not only between the masters but also with the their servants and those loyal to the families. Both families fight for the number one position within the city-state. Private conflict exists in the main characters, the life or death decisions causes high amounts of anxiety and tension. The lovers in the story are placed with a lot of conflict and decision-making. Romeo makes a quick decision to fight Tybalt, then his decision to accept banishment, also what to do when he hears of his wifes untimely death, finally his decision to die with Juliet in the tomb. Juliet has the worry of the arranged marriage, the worry that her formerly trusted are no longer her allies, leaving her alone to make the decisions. She faces all sorts of imagined possible horrors before taking the poison finally there is the decision whether to live without Romeo are to die with him. The Nurse finds herself in a similar state of conflict, with who should she side with, the family or Juliet. She resolves the conflict by siding with the family. Inner conflict comes from Friar Lawrence with the decision between what is right and what is wrong. He also deserts Juliet, which he shows remorse for. Shakespeare uses the inner stress of the characters to motivate their often outrageous but understandable actions. When act 1 scene 1 opens we immediately get the sense of underlying frustration. The characters use playful banter at the beginning to show how close they are to each other. Every time Sampson says something, Gregory replies using a pun, .well not carry coals. .no, for then we should be colliers. Shakespeare uses Homophones when he talks about, choler and collar because it adds humour to the play and eases the tension created. Although at first Sampson and Gregory are only playing, the mood shifts and the argument changes to being serious. Gregory says hes not scared and he will stir up the tension. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they wish. This shows that Gregory is being very loyal to his masters. When Abram comes into this scene he builds up the tension. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? This is threatening because of the rude gesture behind the biting of the thumb. Abram also stirs trouble when he says Quarrel, sir? No sir. This repetition of sarcasm would frustrate Sampson. Conflict carries on through to lines 55-62, but is controlled by Benvolio, playing the part as the peacemaker. From which he stops a verging fight He uses language that is persuading, to stop them from fighting. Put up your swords, you know not what you do. He uses language that you could imagine being said to a child. You know not what you do. This is persuading because they would realise how juvenile they are acting. This is proven when Tybalt replies in an incredulous tone, . I hate the word, all Montagues, and thee. This reply results in another fight with all the men involved. Every time Tybalt comes into the scene you can normally tell. The mood shifts changing to tense and anxious. Have at thee, cowards By this Tybalt is insulting Benvolio, Abram, Sampson and Gregorys masculinity. This shows Tybalts power and confidence. He is never afraid of voicing insults. When the Lords come into the scene they are aware of the present conflict and draw their weapons. . Give me my long sword This shows the high intensity of hatred between the families showing that they wouldnt hesitate to kill the other. Lady Capulet mocks what her husband has said, a crutch, a crutch this implies that he is old and needs a walking stick rather than a sword. This adds humour to the tense scene making the reader laugh. .Thou villian Capulet says Lord Montague. This is a huge insult for someone to say, implying he is a peasant. The prince tries to restore the peace into the two families by making them aware of the consequences, . Once more on pain of death, all men depart. The prince is telling the two families that if they dont obey his command they will die. He says this because he is fed up with the conflict in the streets of Verona, and wants it stopped . Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. The mood the prince creates is angry but also tried of this pointless feud. Three civil brawls bred of an airy word. Act 3 scene 1 is a pivotal scene in terms of heightening tension and showing the theme of conflict to the fullest degree. It begins with Benvolio setting the scene. These hot days is the mad blood stirring Here, the use of pathetic fallacy creates a tense atmosphere. The hotness of the day represents the temper and frustration of both families, and therefore ensures that there is a sense of unease from the start. Benvolio tries to reconcile the situation, Am I such a fellow? Here it shows Benvolio as the peacemaker again. He tries to calm the situation. . When indeed there is no need. There fore there is no need to fight. Mercutio creates a lighter mood at the start from mocking Benvolio. Thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in Italy. This suggests that Mercutio isnt as hot headed, as he seems. When Tybalt enters the scene the mood shifts slightly, he creates tension from being polite and sarcastic at the same time. But also Tybalt seems Machiavellian from the start, . Gentlemen, good den, a word with one of you. Here he seems sarcastic and brooding. This is to patronise Mercutio without getting the blame for starting the fight. The duel between Mercutio and Tybalt is mainly because of misunderstanding. Mercutio takes the patronising words from Tybalt badly, resulting in an argument between them. . Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow. This is suggesting that they fight. Tybalt winds Mercutio up by saying, Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. This suggesting that Romeo is his partner, which could be frustrating. He twists the word consort and gives it another meaning Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrals? This shows Mercutios quick thinking and intelligence. Shakespeare changes the mood again when Romeo enters, creating an anxious mood, with Tybalt patronising Romeo. Well peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. Mercutio again deliberately misunderstands him, and twists his words, Go before to field, hell be your followers, your worship in that sense may call him man.' Tybalt insults Romeo greatly by saying Thou art a villain. Meaning you are a peasant. This would insult a man of noble birth like Romeo. Romeo ignores this comment because he doesnt want to fight with him. Instead Romeo replies using lots of dramatic irony. I have to love thee. Romeo tries to make the peace because he realises that he cant fight with someone who is nearly family to him. Therefore farewell. Tybalt doesnt realise what Romeo is implying Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries. Boy used to patronise Romeo and to insult him, making it clear that he doesnt think highly of him . Good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as my own. This gives an impression that Romeo wants Tybalt to know about him and Juliet, but his words are mistaken with sarcasm. Mercutio is disgusted with Romeo, Allo stoccata carries it away. He uses the Italian fencing word as a name for Tybalt. Tybalt is suspicious of whats being said, What wouldst thou have with me? Mercutio repeats, a plague o both your houses Several times before he dies. This seems like he is foreseeing the future and by repeating it, it makes Romeo and Tybalt and the audience aware. Romeo talks using dramatic irony after Mercutios death. Hath been my cousin. He says that the events that had happened and falling in love had made him soft. O, sweet Juliet and in my temper softend valours steel! His language here seems strong, even after his friends death. This changes when Benvolio enters, This days black fate on mo days depend. He uses the colour to represent the gloom from that day and the days to come, . This but begins the woe others must end. He uses a rhyming couplet to finish what is being said. Tybalt enters; both Benvolio and Romeo know that the trouble isnt over. . And fire-eyd fury be my conduct now! Romeo uses alliteration to show his emotion. Saying that he is going to let his anger guild his actions. Tybalt is emotional and rises to the challenge. Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here, shalt with him hence. This causes them to fight and Tybalt falls dead. Benvolio tries to be the peacemaker, he advises Romeo to be gone because he knows what the Prince will do when he finds out. Romeo feels guilty for what he has done, O, I am fortunes fool. Here the use of personification could have been mistaken for humour. When the Prince enters you can sense his anger, Where are the vile beginners of this fray? The Prince asks Benvolio who began this bloody fray? he asks Benvolio because he trusts that he wouldnt lie. The Prince hears all the evidence and comes to his decision And for that offence immediately we do exile him hence. He will banish him for his wrong doings. The Prince uses blank verse to show how serious he is being. Mercy but murders, pardoning those who kill. In fewer that a hundred lines into the play, Shakespeare has created an atmosphere of tension where the least word or gesture can trigger off unthinking violence which is shared by the entire community- old and young alike, whether they are the lowest servants or the respected heads of noble families. Also in act 3, Romeo forgets his new bride for a moment and takes his sword to attack her cousin in an act of vengeance for the death of Mercutio. Prince Escalus hears of the sequence of events from Benvolio, he promises strict justice. To banish Romeo, let Romeo hence in haste, else when he is found, that hour is his last. He can do neither more nor less than this. All though the play there is violent language, which goes with the violent behaviour of the Montagues and Capulets. A dog of the house of Montague moves me. Language like this is carried on though the play, showing the conflict. It is the conflict which is in the way, right until the end, where sadly the conflict is resolved though the deaths in both the two families. In conclusion it is the conflict and violence that makes the play what it is. In terms of exciting, enthralling and basically loved by many.