romeo and juliet

As this quotation from a Capulet servant shows there is much hatred towards the opposite house (the Montague's). It tells us that this servant hates the opposite family so much that he wants to eliminate them from the face of the earth whilst there women are still there to be dealt with in a sexual way, even if they oppose it. This makes the reader aware of the fact that this fiction tale will end in tragedy and bereavement. The factor conflict is crucial to this drama and does not necessarily mean physical combat. Alternatively, conflict can be presenting plays through opposing ideas, values, emotions and situations as they are exposed through the action of the drama. An example of conflict being used through emotions and situations is:

" Do you bite your thumb at us sir? Is the law of our side if I say 'Ay.' No sir, I do not bite my thumb at you sir, but I bite my thumb sir. Do you quarrel sir? Quarrel sir? No sir. But if you do sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man as you."

This quote illustrates to use that conflict is not only caused by warfare but also emotions. It tells us the reader that there is more then one way to hurt someone and it isn't only through the fists its through there emotions. The use of rude gestures and playing with other people's emotions shows us that the play will be built up to a disastrous loss making the drama a tragic one.

Shakespeare makes the first act of Romeo and Juliet the build up to a tragedy by using the theme characterization. He gives his spectators a clear view of his characters through what is spoken.

" What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montague's, and thee. Have at thee coward!"

This quote from Tybalt shows us the sort of character he really is. From the quotation we know that Tybalt is a vile and nefarious sort of person. Shakespeare makes his audience know what sort of personality his characters have through what they speak. As shown with Tybalt.

" She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste; For beauty starved with her severity, Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too wise; wisely too fair, To merit bliss by making me despair."

This is another example of how Shakespeare uses his characters dialogue to represent their personality. This quote is from the lover boy Romeo of his 1st love Rosaline. This quote tells us that Romeo is a character that the audience will like. It tells us the readers/ viewers that he is a affectionate and depressed person. As he seeks for the love that he will never get. This is a good way for the start of a tragedy as it shows that the play will end in depression. What is said is very important to the audience as it indicates to the audience who is evil and who is good.

The use of humor is also a quality, which Shakespeare uses in Romeo and Juliet in order to create hilarity in the play. Also the humor is good in the sense that the audience wouldn't expect a tragic death or ending. Which gives a sense of unexpected events. For example the scene immediately after the sonnet can be seen as humorous. As its about a summer's day in Verona, where two servants from the house of Capulet swagger around the streets looking for trouble. It's a discussion about 1 of the two servants (Sampson) being mocked by his fellow comrade (Gregory), that he is more likely to flee from a fight rather than stand and fight. Where Sampson replies that he will fight the men and 'Thrust the women to the wall.' This can be seen as serious but the context in which it is said is humors as it is an 'Adult joke.'

" My naked weapon is out. Quarrel I will back thee."

This quotation can be interpreted in the wrong way because of the words 'My naked weapon is out' but Shakespeare wanted his viewers to take in that way to make the play much more humours. Shakespeare does this quite a lot in the first scene of the play here is another example of this:

" Therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall."

This quotation shows just how Shakespeare uses humour in an aggressive way. Which overall makes the play a much more dramatic one, and also shows how a play can be both humorous and tragic in one. The way Shakespeare portrays humour hints to the audience that there will be a major battle, which will end in tragedy.

Another way in which Shakespeare makes the play into a tragedy is the variety of action. As the scenes vary in the first act of the play and the spectators are introduced to all the vital characters of the play in various locations and circumstances. For example in scene 1 there is warfare between the two houses Montagues and Capulets. Then abruptly in scene 2 it is totally different, its about Capulet talking to Paris about marriage with his daughter Juliet which Capulet thinks Juliet is two young of, and tells Paris to wait another 2 years. But says if Juliet agrees then it is fine. Where it then unexpectedly goes to a conversation between Benvolio and Romeo about his 1st love Rosaline and etc. This gets the viewers informed of all the characters in the play quickly. Which could lead the audience to get more attached to one person in the play which would could lead to a tragic end. This allows the audience to make logical sense of the relationships between different characters.

"Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lov'st, With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither, and with unattained eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow."

As this quote from Benvolio tells us about his personality an his relationship between him and Romeo. It shows how Shakespeare gave his character's relationships between each other.

" When the devout religion of mine eye, Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires, And these who often drowned could never die, Transparent heretics, be burned for lairs."

This quotation from Romeo shows us that he is a romantic and affectionate person. As when he says that his love is like a religion. He goes on to say that when faith accepts something so false then may his tears of love turn to fire and burn his eyes. This shows how Romeo is the main and compassionate character of this play.

The final reason for why Shakespeare makes the first scene of Romeo and Juliet dramatically interesting, as the start of a tragedy is the variety of language. This would be one

Harvinder Singh Gill 11.D1