"Conflict lies at the heart of 'Romeo and Juliet"Discuss this quotation, with, reference to the key scenes in the play.
Joe Chambers 11R2 November 2004
"Conflict lies at the heart of 'Romeo and Juliet"
Discuss this quotation, with, reference to the key scenes in the play.
The play 'Romeo and Juliet' was written by William Shakespeare in 1595. Romance is the main theme in the play as well as continuing violence and conflict through families. As the play was written in Elizabethan times, audiences at the time would have expected a fair amount of action or they would not have enjoyed plays, this could resort in actors being shouted abuse at or even physically abused. There is action in the play, and also violence. In this essay I intend to focus in on the conflict in the key scenes of the play.
The story of Romeo and Juliet is based on two, young, love struck teenagers going out of their way for love. The story is set in Verona, which is in Italy. Italy is a Catholic country. It was thought that in the day in which the play was written, William Shakespeare, was trying to put the message across, that the Italian people were hateful, and scheming, (it is thought that he tried to prove this through Friar Lawrence's behaviour.) The English and the Italians were not very fond of each other, as they believed in different things. The Italians were Catholic, and the English were protestant. It is thought that William Shakespeare made the characters in the play self centred and selfish because he was trying to please her majesty, Elizabeth.
The two families in this play are both hateful. There are the 'Montague's' and the 'Caplet's.' Both families absolutely despise each other. The reason being an argument took place years beforehand, however, keeping to their own family's traditions, they have kept it going, not really understanding what the argument was actually about. The audience do not really know exactly what the argument was about either, as there is no mention of it in the play, however, characters sometimes refer back to the argument when they are in a bad temper, or they are arguing with another member of the cast.
In Act Three scene One Benvolio and Mercutio run into Tybalt and some of his men. Benvolio declines to duel but Mercutio and Tybalt begin a joust of insults, with Mercutio's wit outdoing the other's words. Just then, the newly-married Romeo appears, and Tybalt demands that the "villain" fight. Romeo protests,
"I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise." Mercutio, however, aches for a skirmish, and he and the equally hot-tempered Tybalt draw their swords. Romeo steps between the two, but Tybalt thrusts forward and stabs Mercutio, then bolts away. As the dying ...
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In Act Three scene One Benvolio and Mercutio run into Tybalt and some of his men. Benvolio declines to duel but Mercutio and Tybalt begin a joust of insults, with Mercutio's wit outdoing the other's words. Just then, the newly-married Romeo appears, and Tybalt demands that the "villain" fight. Romeo protests,
"I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise." Mercutio, however, aches for a skirmish, and he and the equally hot-tempered Tybalt draw their swords. Romeo steps between the two, but Tybalt thrusts forward and stabs Mercutio, then bolts away. As the dying Mercutio is carried off, Romeo, torn with anger and mixed loyalties, confronts and kills Tybalt. Benvolio then implores his cousin to hide in order to avoid revenge or arrest.
The action and conflict portrayed in this scene tells us so much about the characters and their hidden anger.
"A plague on both your houses." This is a line said by Mercutio just after he gets stabbed, it shows how he truly feels towards both families and what he is saying is that he feels they are both as bad as each other.
Then there is Benvolio who appears to be the least violent of the Montague's, he tries to calm the situation several times in act three,
"We can talk here in public haunt of men," by this he means that they should settle what needs settling simply by talking, due to other people being around, that needn't witness such violence.
Tybalt on the other hand appears to be insulting and unforgiving, He twice insults Romeo's status calling him a villain,
"thou art a villain." He appears to look down on Romeo and insults Romeos status in order to provoke him.
Romeo at first refuses to fight, several statements tell us this, one in particular "Tybalt the reason I have to love thee," This shows he does not want to fight Tybalt. He says this because he is now married to Tybalts cousin and he feels it not loyal to fight with a member of his own family. Then later on when Romeo swears revenge, "And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now." He means by this he will go with what feels right to him. In this case it is killing Tybalt because he has just killed his friend, this again playing a big part in the conflict of the scene due to his change of mind.
Status is also used frequently to insult in this scene, it too playing a part in the conflict throughout, for example Tybalt referring to Romeo as a Boy,
"Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here." He puts him down as a way of insulting him. Mercutio also uses Status as an insult calling Tybalt a Cat,
"Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?" He is implying by this that Tybalt is sly like a cat.
It is believed that Romeo won't fight Tybalt partly because his love for Juliet has softened him. He himself says this,
"O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate," this proves he has not lived up to his reputation turning Tybalt down to a juel. He has become unmanly and soft. Mercutio also notices he is not being himself,
"O calm, dishonourable, vile submission." He is calling Romeo a coward in order to make him fight Tybalt.
The idea that a women's love softened a man was typical of Elizabethan times. Female and male love was usually seen as corrupting a man, and ultimately making him less of a man. Male friendships or non-homosexual love between men was seen as the purest type of love.
In my opinion I believe Shakespeare did well in the way he portrayed each character and conflict definitely runs throughout the scene. If I had the opportunity to direct the scene I would include Juliet watching in the background as her cousin died to show the effect of her own cousin being sentenced to death by her true love, her reaction playing an even bigger part in the overall conflict between the two families.
Act three scene five begins with Romeo and Juliet having a short Banter about the time of day and weather or not Romeo should leave. Shortly after Romeo does leave, Lady Capulet enters Juliet's chamber, believing the girl had stayed secreted in mourning for Tybalt. She speaks of the murder and the vengeance it demands.
"But now," she announces at last, "I'll tell thee joyful tidings, girl"; and she apprises her daughter that she would soon be married to Paris. When Juliet balks at any such wedding, her father flares up in anger:
"I tell thee what - get thee to church ... or never after look me in the face."
The main topic of this scene is the dispute between Juliet and her Father. Her Father wants her to marry Paris but she declines. It comes as a shock to him and he does not take kindly to her retaliating especially with her being a girl. As in Elizabethan times the daughter was owned firstly by her Father and then her Husband, woman were therefore looked upon as being a lower class to men.
The argument initially breaks out between Lady Capulet and Juliet when Juliet refuses to marry Paris,
"Now by saint Peter's Church, and Peter too, He shall not make me there a joyful bride. I wonder at this haste, that I must wed." This shows she is strong and Stubborn enough to retaliate.
When Juliet breaks the news to her Father that she refuses to marry he instantly looses his temper.
"Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? Doth she not count her blessed," He sarcastically uses rhetorical questions in order to make Juliet feel guilty for her refusal. Thus not working and winding up Capulet even more bringing conflict between members of the same family too kick in even more heavily.
"How, how, how, how, chopt-logic." This proves Capulet's temper as he begins to stutter. It cannot be certain as to weather Shakespeare intended Juliet's Father to hit Juliet but he says,
"Speak not, reply not, do not answer me. My fingers itch." This could mean he is going to hit her or he may just be making the threat to show how angry he is. Overall the conflict between Juliet and her Father is portrayed very well throughout the scene. Juliet retaliates to her full potential and her father ends up threatening to throw her out if she does not do as he says,
"And you be mine, I'll give you to my friend; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets." This Showing his ownership.
I believe Shakespeare included scenes of violence and conflict to keep audiences interested and to add excitement to the play. The way he uses the two families as being rebellious against each other provides a good base for two lovers to be getting entangled between. This itself bringing much of the conflict to the play.
Conflict along with Romance lie directly at the heart of the play. The Capulets and the Montagues despise each other and all the characters are very influenced by their loyalties and this bringing conflict to the heart. Romance is found at the heart as well due to Romeo and Juliets love for each other breaking all traditions and discreetly having a hidden relationship behind their families backs. Both topics go perfectly together creating an exciting and entreating play.
