Act 1 Scene 1 is the first scene of violence and it starts with Capulet’s servants, Sampson and Gregory having a joke about how they are superior to the Montagues, “I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s”. Sampson urges Gregory to start a quarrel with them, which he does “I bite my thumb at them”. They have an argument with Abram and the other serving man, but Benvolio (a Montague) tries to make peace “part, fools”, as Tybalt (a Capulet) makes the argument worse and starts the fight “look upon thy death”. It turns into a riot with officers trying to stop it and Capulet and Montague also join in. An angry Prince Escales stops the fight and starts speaking angrily towards Montague and Capulet “you beasts”. He also threatens them with death if they fight in public again “your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”. This scene is important as it shows how much the families hate each other. The Prince’s speech is important because it will cause Romeo to be banished from Verona, and cause the miss communication between Romeo and Friar Lawrence which leads to the suicides.
Act 3 Scene 1 is the second violent scene which is set in a public place in Verona Benvolio says that he does not want to meet the Capulets, as he is sure a fight will follow the encounter “if we meet we shall not scape”. But Mercutio laughs at his fears, also telling Benvolio that he is a short-tempered Quarreller “thou wilt Quarrel with a man for cracking nuts”. Then Mercutio taunts Tybalt, but he does not take any notice as he is looking for Romeo “Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo” . However Romeo refuses the challenge to fight Tybalt, and tries to calm him down, much to Mercutio’s disgust “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission”. After Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt, an angry Mercutio challenges Tybalt to fight. Romeo then tries to break the fight up by parting them, but Tybalt thrusts his sword under Romeo’s arm and wounds Mercutio. Mercutio wounded on the floor starts cursing Montague and Capulet “plague a’both houses”. Next Romeo starts blaming himself for Mercutio’s wound, and is angry about Tybalt insults. Also fearing that his love for Juliet has weakened his courage “softened valour’s steel”. Now hearing from Benvolio that Mercutio is dead he vows to kill Tybalt “others must end”, does so and then flees. Lady Capulet says that Romeo must die, and Benvolio tells the prince the story of how Mercutio and Tybalt died “Romeo’o hand did slay”. Lady Capulet then accuses Benvolio of lying, and demands again that Romeo be put to death. But Prince Escales orders that, for killing Tybalt, Romeo will be banished from Verona “we do exile him hence”.
This scene is important because the consequence of the murder Romeo is banished from Verona, and which prevents him from seeing Juliet again as she will not be allowed to go out there to see him. Juliet then takes a potion to allow her not to marry Paris. Also the long distance relationship causes misunderstanding and the consequences are them killing themselves.
Act 3 Scene 5 is the third violent scene, and is set in Juliet’s bedroom after her and Romeo’s wedding night together. Juliet persuades Romeo that he does not have to leave as it is not dawn “not yet near day”. Initially he says that he must go, but then decides to stay and risk capture and death “let me be put to death”. The Nurse then enters and warns them that Lady Capulet is coming “mother is coming”. As Romeo leaves, Juliet becomes cautious as she thinks something bad is going to happen before they meet again “must hear from thee every day”. Lady Capulet enters and mistakes Juliet’s tears for Romeo, as grief for Tybalt’s death. Juliet’s replies strengthening her mother’s mistaken belief, and she threatens vengeance, promising to have Romeo poisoned in Mantua “unaccustomed dram”. Lady Capulet then tells Juliet that she must marry Paris on Thursday, which Juliet refuses to do “will not marry”. Capulet enters and mistakes Juliet’s tears for the sorrow for Tybalt, and when he hears of Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris he becomes very mad. Also starts threatening and insulting her “minion you”. Capulet, further enraged by the nurse’s defense of Juliet, continues to shout at her, threatening to disown her if she does not marry Paris “you shall not house with me”. Lady Capulet says she will not help her daughter. The Nurse will also not help Juliet. Feeling betrayed Juliet says that she doesn’t trust the nurse anymore and sends her away “Go, counsellor”. Juliet resolves to seek Friar Lawrence’s aid. This scene is different from all the other violent scenes as there is no physical contact and people are changing to another persons side, which happens no where else in the play. But a lot of extremely nasty verbal insults are said which hurt Juliet inside, and is as painful as physical punishment.
If I had to direct Act 3 Scene 5, I would use a traditional setting. The stage would be a big, space full, luxurious room to show their class. Also all dressed in smart clothes. Lord Capulet would not hit Juliet but shout very loudly and raise his arm to show he is thinking of hitting her. When Juliet argues back “what i hate”, she would stand up to show that she is not afraid of her dad and how she is very strong.
In conclusion I think that it is a violent play, as the end result is caused by the continuous fighting, a lot of which is caused by them urging each other on and very unnecessarily, with the final scene also being violent when they commit suicide. The parts which stick out most in my mind are that of the suicides at the end which are very tragic. Also Act 3 Scene 1 which is very violent and really shows the hate between them, so remembered parts of love and parts of hatred. But my favorite scene was Act 3 Scene 5 because Juliet stuck up for her love Romeo when her father was being very threatening towards her. I thought this was very dramatic and showed the love that they had for each other.
