Violence and conflict are central to Romeo and Juliet. Discuss this theme with reference to at least three scenes in the play.
Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play which is about the teenage marriage of members of rival families and about the violence which ensues.
Although it is a play about love, there are many scenes that contain violence and conflict.
The play opens with a fight between the Montague and Capulet families and ends with the suicides of both Romeo and Juliet and a peace agreement between the families. The violence in the play happens because of an argument between the two families, which leads to the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. In this essay I will discuss the violent themes throughout the play and the emotions that the characters display in the circumstances.
Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare and first performed in the 16th century. It is set in the 15th century. When Shakespeare wrote then play Elizabeth the 1st ruled England. She loved the theatre. People in the 16th century were fond of any sort of entertainment. The like watching violent sports like bear baiting and cock fighting
It was important for Shakespeare to make his plays as exciting as possible, because they had to appeal to the violent enjoyments of the public
An audience in the 16th century would have liked Romeo and Juliet because it was a very commercial play, with lots of blood death and sex.
The first violent scene in the film is right at the beginning in act 1 scene 1. Samson and Gregory, Capulets, are walking through the market square at Verona. They talk about fighting against the Capulets I mean and we be in choler, well draw this line creates tension as it says that they are ready for a fight, this line eludes to the violence ahead. one of those Montague dogs always gets me going once again eludes to violence and really displays the hatred between the families. Once the Montagues arrive Sampson bites his thumb at the Montagues. The 2 parties quarrel over this before Samson asks for a fight draw if you be men.
As the fighting begins Tybalt, a Capulet, and Benvolio, a Montague, arrive. Tybalt, being an aggressive and violent man begins to provoke the Montagues in the fight what art thou drawn among hartless hinds and peace, I hate the word. Also Benvolio, being mild-mannered and peace keeping calls for peace in the fight part fools. Put up your swords, you know not what to do. The fighting continues and groups of citizens join in. As the fighting begins to escalate Lord and Lady Capulet join give me my long sword, ho says lord Capulet as he attempts to join the fight despite a stern defense by lady Capulet. Also lord and lady Montague join the fight thou villain Capulet: hold me not let me go says Montague as he also attempts to join in despite objections from lady Montague.
Before the fighting can worsen still Prince Escalus enters and he forbids the fighting between the families on pain of death on pain of torture, from those bloody hands, throw your mistempered weapons to the ground if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives will pay the forfeit of the peace
Act 3 scenes 1 begins with Mercutio, Benvolio and other Montagues walking through the market square. Benvolio is afraid to meet with any Capulets as there will be a fight we shall not scape a brawl where in contrast Mercutio is in a bad mood , he is quarrelling with his friend and is not hesitant of starting a brawl thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in Italy
Before the friends themselves begin to fight Tybalt enters with his followers and they begin to agitate Mercutio. Mercutio does not respond well to the presence and begins to humiliate Tybalt make it a word and a blow by my heel, I care not Romeo then enters and Tybalt is momentarily distracted from Mercutios insults. Tybalt, here to fight with Romeo, begins to confront him. Rome, as he is now Tybalts relative, refuses this and allows Mercutio back into agitating Tybalt Tybalt, you rat catcher, will you walk? Having finally had enough Tybalt and Mercutio begin to duel, but as the duel becomes heated Romeo blocks Mercutio and Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeos arm. As Romeo is a Montague he is infuriated and begins an emotionally charged fight with Tybalt. Romeo quickly kills him and realizing what he has done flees before Prince Escalus arrives.
The final scene I will write on is act 5 scene 3. This scene is iconic for being a very sad very gruesome ending. Romeo is in search of Juliets tomb Romeo and Balthazar arrive at the tomb and discover Paris weeping over her death. As Romeo is a Montague and Paris a Capulet Paris is disgusted by Romeos, appearance and he insults him Condemned villain I do apprehend thee. Obey and go with me, for thou must die. But as Romeo does not wish to fight over her body he tries to make peace I beseech thee, youth, put not another sin upon my head by urging me to fury. Paris does not heed this warning and provokes Romeo further and Romeo and Paris begin to fight and it ends with Paris being slain by Romeo. Disgusted with himself he ventures to Juliet and filled with remorse hugs her and drinks poison, dying over her. Heres to my love, thus with a kiss I die. After Romeo dies Juliet awakens from her slumber shocked at the suicide of Romeo she does not wish to live without him and plunges a dagger into her breast O happy dagger. This is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die
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