Explore how Shakespeare develops the theme of conflict in the play ‘Romeo & Juliet’

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GCSE Shakespeare Assignment

Explore how Shakespeare develops the theme of conflict in the play ‘Romeo & Juliet’

James Piper

When cruelly juxtaposed against the “ancient grudge” out of which it blossomed, Romeo and Juliet’s fated romance develops into one of theatre’s most emotive tragedies.  Shakespeare presents to us a hostile society built through conflicting notions, and introduces two “star-crossed” lovers so that we can ponder the sullen irony that not even their compassion can break the code of quarrel; only untimely death.          

Shakespeare instantly instils dramatic irony into his play, as the prologue briefly reveals the tragedy to take place throughout “…the two hours traffic…” on stage.  From the introductory prologue we learn that Romeo and Juliet’s love is “…death marked…”, and that their life is described as a “…fearful passage…” no doubt with an end.  Although this technique can be considered to spoil the story for an audience, I feel it successfully creates a sense of impending, and inevitable tragedy thus rousing interest and empathy rather than losing it.  This scripted and ordained approach to theatre may also assist the play in grasping the attention of Elizabethan peasants purely seeking entertainment and an escape from their laboured lives; since this was the sole purpose of drama during an era of manual industry.  Shakespeare’s use of contrast is also established in his opening prose, as he describes “…Fair Verona where we lay our scene…” with such romanticism and poetic taste, only to destroy this amity with descriptions of “…mutiny…”, and “…civil blood…”.  When placed together, this oxymoron creates terrific dramatic effect implying that the conflict being described is as a plague that has infected the peace there once was; an indication as to the destructive nature of hostility throughout the play.  

Both Shakespeare’s literary and dramatic devices contribute to creating harsh contrasts between distinct opposites, however I feel he uses them to condemn our “black and white” view of life, as well as to progress the theme of conflict.  We often think in a binary fashion; since we either love or hate; admire or envy, rather like a machine.  This narrow mindedness is portrayed throughout Romeo and Juliet as the play deals with two conflicting families bent solely on dispute, both with their own inner battles between the young and the old; the men and the women; life and death.  Also, the characters’ use of oxymorons as they describe “…loving hate…” or a “…heavy feather…” assist Shakespeare in creating this barren world of disagreement, through which love miraculously blossoms; yet another ironic contrast in itself.   This society built through opposition emerges as almost “robotic”, since the characters appear “programmed” to their particular roles, and have little other purpose.  We see how the flamboyant Nurse views love simply as a physical expression, since she believes that “…women grow by men…” both financially and through pregnancy; a mere example of her crude innuendos and ‘jester like’ influence.  However, Mercutio displays a more cynical approach towards compassion as he describes Romeo’s first love, Rosaline, as a “…pale hard-hearted wench…”, reflecting his lack of depth, and thirst for confrontation.  These one-dimensional caricatures perhaps echo the shallowness of our own society.  Shakespeare possibly suggests that we should view our lives with greater passion like Romeo and Juliet, rather than sullenly embark on an intransigent life as their bickering families do so.  I feel that this notion appears to imitate the Protestant’s ongoing convention to hate the Catholics in Ireland, since their convention to hate seems strikingly similar to that of the Montagues and Capulets showing how although written 400 years ago, the play’s relevance remains strong; a sad demonstration of how little human influence has changed.  

Being purely another Montague, Romeo is expected to follow his indoctrination to fight the Capulets since this is his family’s ancient code, yet he appears quite misplaced in this world of dispute.  He often questions his role in the bleak society imprisoning him, as he asks, “…Do I live dead?” .  This peculiar oxymoron reflects his disorientated emotion and establishes his desires to escape the dismal routine of feud.  For these reasons, Romeo comes across as a dreamer on stage, and should often lack concentration as his head rests firmly in the clouds; since this more emotional character contrasts the physical nature of the others, who revel in gesture and touch; jokes and violence.  Similarly, Juliet seems to show a longing passion to flee the confines that her parents impose, ultimately leading these two ‘prisoners of society’ together in their seek for a more tranquil, less disparate world.

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        We are instantly introduced to the bitterness held between the two conflicting families, as the play opens with both Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulet household, discussing their bravery and sexual prowess.  Shakespeare’s language throughout this scene is quite comical since it is built through sexual jokes and witty backchat, which would have appealed to the Elizabethan audience of Shakespeare’s time who were considered to have had such crude taste.  Sampson not only suggest that he will “…take the wall of any man…of Montague’s…” but also that he will “…be cruel with the maids…” and “…cut off their heads…”.  This ...

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