Explore Shakespeare's Presentation Of Conflict In Act One Of 'Romeo And Juliet'

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Explore Shakespeare’s Presentation Of Conflict In Act One Of ‘Romeo And Juliet’

The play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is written by an author named William Shakespeare. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the all time classics of not only Shakespearean but of all plays. It remains like this because of its timeless story that has allowed for reinvention across a variety of media. Its treatment of a deep seated hatred bordering the essence of romanticism make it a highly interesting text for study in this century, examining the types of conflict that arise throughout its length. The conflict in the play mainly consists between two families, the Montague’s and the Capulet’s “two households both alike in dignity”.

        The parental conflict that proceeds throughout Act One doesn’t occur as much as the conflict in the rest of the family members. During Act One, Scene One of ‘Romeo And Juliet’ a family feud arises after Sampson and Gregory, two servants of the house of Capulet, think that it would be fun to bite their thumbs at members of the Montague family on purpose to wind them up. This action in Elizabethan times would appear quite rude and offensive towards others, “Nay as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it.” Whilst the fight is going on the fathers of both families threaten to withdraw their swords and fight, but their wives want to keep the peace and restrain them from getting hurt, as does Benvolio before he is forced to fight by Tybalt, “Part fools. Put up your swords, you know not what you do………I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me.” Tybalt being a very violent natured man contradicts Benvolio and starts to fight with him, which Benvoilio doesn’t want to do. Later on the audience is told that this was not the first street fight that has happened, the prince explains that the two families “have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets,” which tells us that the families have been rivals for quite a while. The next incident of conflict between the two families occurs in Act One, Scene 5 when Tybalt hears Romeo talking about Juliet to himself and can tell he is of Montague relations, this gets him angry to know a Montague has entered Capulet territory and tells his father who tell Tybalt to leave Romeo alone and that it would only make things worse to fight with him. That is then not acceptable “it fits when such a villain is a guest. I’ll not endure him.” Capulet gets annoyed with Tybalt for trying to ruin his big night and just dismisses him and tells him to deal with it or leave.

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        Romeo goes through the conflict of feelings he feels about different people throughout Act One. Towards the end of Act One, Scene One Benvolio finds Romeo wandering on his own and decides to ask what is wrong, it turns out that Romeo is in love with Rosaline, but Benvolio thinks it is not real love Romeo is feeling and that he may just be in love with the thought of being in love, “by giving liberty unto thine eyes. Examine other beauties.” Romeo passes this statement off and tells Benvolio he is going to prove him wrong by going to ...

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