How conflict contributes to the tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet

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        Discuss how the varied conflicts within the play Romeo and Juliet contribute to the tragic outcome in the relationship of Romeo and Juliet. Specific references to the play script should be apparent in your essay.

The drama of Romeo and Juliet is a tragic ‘love story’ themed play by William Shakespeare. Set in Verona, Italy, during the Renaissance, the story traces the self destructive path of two ‘star crossed’ young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. The themes running through the play address the issues associated with the consequences of immature blind passion, hatred, fate and prejudice. Romeo and Juliet are young teenagers who fall deeply in love but whose families are bitter enemies. Yet, regardless of the feud between their families, they marry in secret. Despite making every effort to conceal their actions, the story ends in tragedy with Romeo and Juliet killing themselves and ironically, the feuding families reconciling. The love of hero and heroine is set in an underlying context of hate and it is through this vein that we see various conflicts arise. We see conflicts examined through the family feud; the personal conflicts between the characters of Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo; the generational conflicts between Juliet and her parents and societal conflicts. Whilst these conflicts highlight the tenderness and warmth which Romeo and Juliet feel for each other, it’s by their very divisive nature that we see the ever present reality of death engulf the lovers.

        One of the basic conflicts involves the family feud. The love of the hero and heroine is set within a context of hate. The play’s first scene is concerned with this feud as we are made aware of it even before we meet Romeo and Juliet. The ‘ancient grudge’ between the ‘two households’ is the very first thing the Chorus mentions in the prologue.

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“Chorus Two households…

  From ancient grudges

                     break to new mutiny…” (Pro. 1 – 4)

How this feud started is never revealed, which suggests that it has arisen from the natural impulses of man to enter into conflict and throughout the play the audience is constantly reminded of it. Shakespeare constructs the opening scene with a violent discussion between two Capulet servants, discussing how they will treat the Montagues. From this, the audience realizes that by now the feud has no meaning; it simply is. This hatred is continued because of characters ...

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