Violence plays a big part in the play even from the start there is some sort of conflict and violence in act 1 scene 1. For example Sampson from the house of Capulet’s tries to big himself up he uses word play to get at the Montague’s but when the Montague’s come over he act like a coward and get to a big brawl because of a minor thing for example Sampson bites his thumbs at Montagues. These two families hate each other because of an ancient grudge.
The language within this scene is much linked to petty squabbling as to comedy, with many sexual innuendos such as “maidenheads”, “my naked weapon” and “thy-tool” the vulgar humour is the cause for the majority of conflicts certainly in the first half of the play. The Prince does not recognise the petty cause of the “three civil brands” which he enters the first scene and restores peace by asserting his anger that such violence can be “bred of an airy word”
However, Tybalt who is from the house of Capulet is very aggressive and is a great desire for violence, his consumed with some much anger and hatred that he hates peace. For example he says, “Peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee”. Tybalt has a strong contrast from Benvolio who is from the house Montagues. Benvolio is Romeo’s cousin and best friend, Benvolio tries to keep the peace between the families.
In Act 3 scene 1 is the pivotal moment where the violence is no longer a joke. Typical Benvolio tries to keep the peace by telling Mercutio to stop the conflict before it gets to a violent stage, but Mercutio does not listen to Benvolio and proceeds with an argument with Tybalt, who was looking for Romeo, but Mercutio stands in his place. Mercutio and Tybalt have a battle over a childish squabble and Mercutio gets killed by Tybalt.
Additionally, before Mercutio dies he curses the two families Capulets and Montagues. Mercutio says, “Plague on both your houses”. He curses the families because their ancient grudge has caused his death. When the Mercutio dies, the comedy of the story dies with him. This is where the pivotal moment occurs.
Romeo is a peaceful character, who is more in to love than in to violence. Before the fight with Mercuitio and Tybalt, Tybalt was looking for Romeo. When he finds Romeo he tries to provoke Romeo, by saying “my man” and “the villain?” But at this point Romeo has married Juliet and is more mature by ignoring him. Mercutio he is very disappointed in Romeo, think he is acting like a coward. Mercutio says “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” this suggests Mercutio annoyed with Romeo that he is suggest he has no honour.
But when Romeo see Mercuito die, Romeo is more than provoked then his anger takes control and his language changes and suggest thou or, or both, must go with Mercutio. The gives an impression that Romeo has lost control and is willing to killing Tybalt or die for Mercuito.
The last scene is where the deaths of Paris, Romeo, Juliet and the other that died in the violence have stopped the violence and ancient grudge between the two families. Early in the story Act1 Scene 1, the Prince warned the families is they were to disturb the street there lives would pay the forfeit, but it not their live that has paid it’s the live of Romeo, Juliet and the others (Mercutio, Paris and Tybalt) that has paid for it instead.
