Comment on Shakespeare's use of violence in "Romeo and Juliet".

Authors Avatar

Comment on Shakespeare’s use of violence in    

                        “Romeo and Juliet”

        During this essay, I will explore how Shakespeare uses violence in Romeo and Juliet. I think he does this to involve the audience. During the play, the audience feel very involved the play because of the prologue, which warned the audience of the tragic end. There is a lot of death like language used all through the play. The sense of violence and blood shed is introduced to the audience in the very first scene 1 act 1. I think Shakespeare also uses violence or the threat of it to show us more about the characters when they are in sticky situations, like when Tybalt sees Romeo at the Capulet feast and is angry because of his uncle’s decision to let Romeo be. Shakespeare uses violence as a connection to the next key scene.

        Shakespeare starts the play with bloodshed between the two families servants to show how deep the ancient grudge goes. In those days, rich families like the Capulet and Montagues also had their own private little armies. The first scene is where the servants have a street brawl and both the Montagues and Capulets are given their first warning, given by the Prince Escales “If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”. I think Shakespeare started the play with this scene to excite and make the audience feel the suspense after the prologue. The start to the quarrel of this scene was quite funny because of the sexual language used by the servant of the Capulet’s, Sampson and Gregory “the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads take it in what sense thou wilt”. Meaning taking their virginity away “maidenheads”. I thought it was very confusing the way in which they were laughing one minute and fighting the next. This shows how quick the whole thing happened. The speed in which the first scene occurred is the same sort of speed in which the whole play takes place.

        Even before all the characters are introduced you can tell which characters are the ones that mould the play for the main characters. Tybalt, Benvolio, Mercutio and the Nurse are the sort of characters that bring suspense into the play and the main characters only come in for the climax. An example of this build up of suspense is during the first scene when Benvolio tries to keep the peace but Tybalt has his heart set of having a fight  “What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word…” Tybalt only say’s this right after Benvolio talk’s of peace “ I do but keep the peace” This is also an example of how Tybalt does not like to be told what not to do.

        Prince Escales play’s a very important part in the play as his judgment helps to set up the plot. After he stops the street brawl, he passes a judgment that if the Capulets and Montagues disturb the peace of the streets of Verona death will be the punishment “If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”. This creates a sort of excitement in the audience, because of boys being boys and Romeo being a Montague boy fighting is inevitable

Join now!

This play was set in the streets of Verona in Italy. During the 16th century (around the time the play was written) it was common for writers to set their novels and plays on the continent main land. Italy was regarded as a wealthy, romantic country where love was a real drama it was fitting that Shakespeare choose it as his setting for love between Romeo and Juliet is dramatic and ends tragically.

When Romeo and Juliet were about to meet in act 1 scene 5, there is a threat of violence. When Tybalt sees Romeo and his friends gate-crashing in the Capulet ...

This is a preview of the whole essay