The theme of love and conflict is essential to understanding both the play and problems that the lovers face. Through out the play the themes are compared and contrasted. An understanding and appreciation of the play requires knowledge of the ‘ancient grudge’ which is essential; the feud emphasises the love even more due to the conflict as the lovers are willing to put their families aside to be with each other and express their deep emotions. The tension is always there as we know their fate that the love and conflict is there in the way.
The conflict was the starting point of the play expressing the great feud. Over all this rampaging and violence there is one true peacemaker, his name Benvolio, he attempts to ‘keep the peace’ (1.1.65). On the other hand a ferocious and violent character is drawn out, Tybalt. He is a blood thirsty and violent Capulet. Tybalt’s personality is shown in true colours in the opening scene, ‘what drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate at thee, all Montague and thee; have at thee, coward!’ this quotation only shows some of his devotion to fighting, his loyalty and fuelling the feud to continue at his own pleasure. Another place where Tybalt expresses his hatred for the Montague family is when he asks for his ‘rapier’ to slaughter Romeo in the Capulet ball. This trespasser ironically is the very destined lover, Romeo, but the fight did not commence because Tybalt’s ambition was cornered by Lord Capulet so that his ball could be peaceful. ‘I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to the bitterest gull’ (1.5.90-91). Eventually his words of revenge come true but to his own regret when he kills Mercutio, he himself is slaughtered by Romeo. This act of vengeance soon becomes harsh when Romeo is banished. His actions leave the lovers in a dangerous situation and the rest of the plot seems to only go plummeting down hill. Tybalt reaches his ‘revenge’.
The conflict has a direct effect on both the lovers and the love through out the play. The conflict also produces confusion in the love such as when Juliet can not understand the situation and is confused by the thought of Romeo slaying Tybalt and then being banished, this is portrayed by the use of oxymoron in her speak. ‘that banished that word banished. Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts’ this quotation indicates to us that the love is intense between the lovers; this is shown in the quote because Juliet finds Romeo’s banishment to Mantua more painful than ten thousand dead Tybalts. Another example is the nurse when she became dismissive of the lovers situation and told Juliet to go ahead and marry Paris, from the loving and nurturing character she was before she realized, the amount of trouble she actually could have been in.
The conflict is directly responsible for the lover’s deaths as they are forced to with draw into a world of their own.
The casualty of Tybalt changes the relationship involving the nurse and Juliet. The love between the Nurse and Juliet is a different type of love involved by Shakespeare; this love is more like a mother daughter connection. The Nurse commits herself to Juliet’s wellbeing and delight. This is exposed in Act1 Scene3 as Juliet learns that her mother desires her to deem ‘valiant’ Paris her companion, adding that it is essential to marry and that she had already had a child by her age. Juliet’s replay was ‘is an honour I dream not of’ (1.3.67) and the Nurse supports her choice; ‘were not I thine nurse, I would say thou hadst sucked wisdom from my treat.’(1.3.68-69) the Nurse entirely understands her belief. The relationship between Juliet and her mother is not as tough as the one with the Nurse. Lady Capulet is more restless at the thought of a good match but the nurse is worried with Juliet’s personal happiness with which she even goes out of her way to get. The nurse’s concern stays her to act as a link for the lovers making her an essential character to move the plot on and expand the story. The nurse also helps with an extra issue of the play, making it more enjoyable for the audience by using comical sexual puns; the contrast from the tragic and helpless plot amplifies the effect of the puns.
The nurse’s role is undoubtedly influenced for the tragic end. The development of the play is equally shared with the friar whop is another suspect that needs to be accessed
The friar is both ‘counsellor’ and ‘confessor’ from the beginning. Both his roles are dedicated to the lovers; his reason is to bring peace between the feuding families and for the people of Verona. His ambition to bring peace is shown in his agreement to unite the lovers in marriage and when problems arise he is there to supply help and advise them. For example when Romeo is banished and the plan is set, but the plan is ruined by fate. Thus, the friar can only be blamed to a certain extent. But a mistake that the friar is undoubtedly blamed for is that he doesn’t reach the lifeless body of Juliet before Romeo could find it and commit suicide. ‘I hear some noise, lady, come from that rest of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep. A greater power then we can contradict. Hath unwanted our intents......come go. Good Juliet. I dare no longer stay’ (5.3.151-159).
The friar’s strength, confidence and dedication to his religion are contrasted with his now helpless and scared character in Act5 Scene3. Juliet senses the friar’s loss in strength and faith; this is why she disagrees to leave without her beloved husband. She leaves this destiny not on her feet but in her endless sleep.
This tragic story ends in a catastrophic way and quite clearly all the fingers point at Fate to be the most responsible for the lover’s deaths. Fate has been clearly covering this whole story in its clutches even though it isn’t there to be seen but it has a definite and strong affect on this heartbreaking end.
