Conflict is central to 'Romeo and Juliet '

pConflict is central to ‘Romeo and Juliet ‘. Explain how Shakespeare introduces this theme with detailed reference to Act 1 Scene 1.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a play written by Shakespeare in the early part of the 1590’s and was first published in 1597 by Thomas Creede. Romeo is a confused young man who is in Love with the idea of Love. Whilst Juliet is a respectful, protected, naïve child who has never really thought about love and marriage, but later on in the play she changes and in a way matures when she meets and falls in love with Romeo. The play is a twisted tragedy, showing physical and emotional conflict between and around the two lovers: Romeo and Juliet.

The aim of my essay is to explain the theme of conflict and violence, which is shown strongly in act 1 scene 1. I will comment on Shakespeare’s use of language and how he demonstrates it in a dramatic effect, the plays appeal to the audience, the historical context and my own personal feedback on the play.

Like many Shakespearian plays ‘Romeo and Juliet’ begins with a prologue. The prologue was used to settle rowdy crowds, set the scene and introduce the play to the audience. in addition Shakespeare uses Iambic Pentameter: this is where each line has a series of stressed and unstressed syllables making an alternate pattern: he used this so the phrases were easier to learn for his actors.

Additionally it introduced key themes of the play to the audience and in effect provides a brief summery of the play. Some of the key themes introduced in the prologue included: conflict and violence, it is put into context using different quotes like ‘From ancient grudge break to new mutiny.’ This quote basically means an old rivalry between two families is turning out to be a gory clash of pride. We also know the families are quite high in distinction and probably have links with royalty; ‘Two households, both alike in dignity’, therefore it adds to the rivalry.

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Because ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a tragedy, evidently the violence is a key theme and Shakespeare uses military/violent terms and words such as: grudge, mutiny, blood, fatal, foes, death, bury, strife and rage these words are all linked to death and conflict.

As well as violence Shakespeare introduces Love and links it into destiny and fate. Fate was important in Shakespearean times as it explained the unexplainable and ultimately, the feud between the two families will end but only when the ‘star-crossed lovers take their life.. The fearful passage of their death marked love’. Essentially Romeo and Juliet are destined to meet fall in love. This love will only last a matter of time as they are destined to die to break the bitter hatred between the families.

The play opens with two servants of the Capulet house: Sampson and Gregory strolling through the streets of Verona. Throughout the first part of the scene they are insulting the Montagues. They do this by exchanging punning remarks such as: ‘I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.’ This quote basically means Sampson is suggesting physically slaughtering the Montague men and sexually abusing the Montague women another reference to sexually abusing Montague women is: ‘Ay the heads of the maidens or the maidenheads’ (line 22) maidenheads refers to chastity or purity of the maids. Therefore Sampson and Gregory are going to take the maids virginity.

We also know both Sampson and Gregory are looking for trouble because they are carrying swords and bucklers, which only the gentlemen or higher classes would carry normally. The language of the servants doesn’t rhyme unlike the language of fairer upper classes. This shows that Shakespeare contrasts how different characters converse, to where they belong socially this is called a prose. Throughout this scene, particularly at the very beginning, the play introduces and exposes masculine reputation: for example Sampson is boasting about how tough strong and masculine he is but ironically when Sampson and Gregory move over too Abraham and Balthasar: Sampson forces Gregory to go first. I can prove this with these quotes from the script:

One of the key points in this scene is when Sampson and Gregory discuss and actually carry out there plan to provoke a clash without breaking the law. First Gregory suggests: ‘Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.’ And then Sampson comes up with a more offensive idea: ‘Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.’ This means instead of frowning at them I’ll bite my thumb: In Shakespearean times biting your thumb at someone was the most offensive insult. He did this to be discreet and he didn’t get the blame for starting the brawl, therefore staying on the right side of the justice system of Verona.

Sampson tries to give the audience a masculine and strong impression ‘Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh’ again he shows a sexual pun and also he’s boasting about his ‘manhood’ once more the issue of masculinity plays a part in the script. In the end Sampson gives out the impression of he’s all talk no action: otherwise he would have attacked the Montagues illegally and not bothered about the law being on the Capulets side.

In Verona, a man must defend his honor whenever it is transgressed against, whether verbally or physically. This concept of masculine honor exists through every layer of society in Verona, from the servants on up to the noblemen. It animates Samson and Gregory as much as it does Tybalt.

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/canalysis.html