Violence and conflict are central to Romeo & Juliet: discuss this theme with reference to at least three scenes.

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Pre-1914 Drama coursework for English and literature

Romeo and Juliet

Violence and conflict are central to Romeo & Juliet: discuss this theme with reference to at least three scenes.

In Romeo and Juliet I will be focusing on act 1 scene 1, act 3 scene 1 and act 3 scene 5. I will discuss and explain how they fit into the play as a whole. I will show how violence, conflict and love are all important factors in these scenes.

During the time that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, there were always two or three plays on in London along the south bank. Typically theatres would run plays at the same time, 'competing with each other, and those which play best obtained most spectators,' as was Thomas Platter's experience when going to watch one of Shakespeare's plays.

The playhouses were so constructed that the stage was on a raised platform so everyone had a good view. Standing cost a penny to watch but seating was more comfortable and better viewing which made it more expensive. Also during the play someone would bring round refreshments which you could purchase.

There were many different amusements which Shakespeare had to compete with. If his audiences didn't think his play competed well enough against other amusements then they would leave during the play. So it was important for Shakespeare to make his plays exciting and interesting as possible.

Act 1 scene 1, is the opening scene to the play as it raises expectations in the audience. It starts with two servants from the Capulet family discussing their enmity with the Montague family, when they bump into two servants from the Montague household. They have a war of words. Benvolio and Tybalt enter from either side and the servants begin to fight. Benvolio tries to stop them but has words with Tybalt then they fight. Capulet hears the noise and calls for his sword. Montague enters and says to Capulet 'thou villain Capulet! Had me not, let me go' shouting at the rivalry between the two houses. After the Prince stops the fighting, saying 'Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.' This is ending the first scene - i.e. dispersing the crowd. This shows that if fighting in public occurs again then the fighters would be executed. His speech is important because later in the play it proves to be at Romeo's disadvantage and also the audience is left with the question, who will be the one executed first?
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The language use to portray the events to the audience is in two ways. Some characters speak prose and some in blank verse. He does this to make certain things stand out and making you remember the events going on. To show the status of the characters - e.g. nobles (Tybalt, Benvolio) speak blank verse, lower class characters often speak in prose.

Act 3 scene 1 is the most important scene in the play as it changes as it of events, in this scene and through out the rest of the play. The mood of the scene ...

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