The other example of conflict in scene one, act one is between the public and the Montagues and Capulets, this is shown when officers shout,
“Strike! Beat them down! Down with the Montagues! Down with the Capulets!”, this highlights the hate shown by the citizens towards members of both houses, and that the citizens of Verona are tired of both houses disturing the city. It introduces a massive fight between the citizens and members of both houses.
Act three, scene one begins with friendly rivalry between Benvolio and Mercutio. This is shown when Mercutio says that Benvolio is, “As soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved”, Mercutio is saying that Benvolio is easily provoked to be angry, and then becomes angry at the fact that he has been provoked. Here Shakespeare lightens the mood of the audience and gives them a rest. Then in act three scene one there are examples of family rivalry between Romeo and Mercutio, and Tybalt. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony when Romeo says, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage”. This is ironic because the audience know that the reason that Romeo is referring to is the fact that he is now related to Tybalt, having married Juliet already in secret. The rivalry between Mercutio and Tybalt is shown when Mercutio is trying to provoke Tybalt into a fight when he says, “And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow”, this highlights Mercutio’s hate for the Montague’s and sets the scene for a fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, grabbing the attention of the audience, and leaving them in anticipation of a fight.
In act three scene one there is also a point where the conflict between the two families is shown for its seriousness when, following the killing of Tybalt by Romeo, Lady Capulet is seen to be more interested in having Romeo executed, than actually mourning the death of Tybalt. This is shown when Lady Capulet says to the prince, “I beg for justice … Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.”, Lady Capulet refers to justice in an attempt to manipulate the Prince’s better nature, this quote could also be interpreted that Lady Capulet actually is very distraught at the death of Tybalt, and she is so angry that she wants the killer dead. Either way this shows the strong emotions caught up in the fight between the two families and their terrible consequences.
Act three, scene five shows conflict between Juliet and her parents. When Juliet is told she is to marry Paris she responds negatively and says “I shall not marry yet and when I do I swear it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate”, this is dramatic irony as the audience know that Juliet is already married to Romeo, and she is lying when she says she hates him. She also uses threats towards her parents when she says, “Make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Tybalt lies”, Juliet is threatening to kill herself is she is made to marry Paris, which shocks the audience.
Conflict between Juliet and her parents is also shown when Lord Capulet says “Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch!”, Lord Capulet is furious at Juliet for refusing to marry Paris and is not at all sympathetic towards her feelings, this may make the audience feel sorry for Juliet, which is vital if they are to feel any sorrow for her death later on in the play. The scene also has another example of dramatic irony when lady Capulet says upon finding Juliet crying, “Evermore weeping for you cousin’s death?”, this is ironic because Juliet is actually crying about the fact that her husband killed Tybalt and has been banished, and she will be unable to see him again, alternatively, Juliet could also be crying over the death of Tybalt.
The nurse speaks out of turn, when she says, “May not one speak”, whilst Juliet’s parents are telling Juliet off, this will surprise the audience as servants where supposed to obey and do what there masters told them to do. The Nurse also uses an insulting metaphor when speaking to Juliet about Romeo when she says, “Romeo’s a dishclout to him”, by saying this the nurse is trying to comfort Juliet by telling her that Romeo is not as big a loss as Juliet thinks he is.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses a lot of conflict to dramatic effect in his play Romeo and Juliet, he uses much dramatic irony, metaphors, serious and dangerous conflict and friendly rivalry to interest and engage the audience. The mood is often playful and funny when members of just one family are on stage, however when members of both families are present, the tension rises and the conflict becomes serious. There is also a lot of use of dramatic irony mostly involving Romeo’s marriage to Juliet.
