Violent Scenes in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "Romeo and Juliet" is a tragic play, which is about a feud between two families of Verona, causing the deaths of two young lovers. This is apparent in the haunting opening passage of the play - "Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny where civil blood makes civil hands unclean" Although it is a play about love there are many scenes that contain violence and conflict. The play opens with a feud between the Capulets and Montagues and ends with the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The violence in the play happens because of a long standing feud between two families, which leads to the …show more content…
Sir" asks Abram "I do bite my thumb sir" replies Sampson, presenting them with a challenge. Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) tries to pick a fight with Benvolio (Romeo's cousin). This is shown when Tybalt says "Talk of peace I hate the word as I hate hell, all the montagues and thee", the two men begin to fight. The citizens of Verona rush to take sides. Lord Capulet and Montague arrive, and begin to argue. The reason they dislike each is because of a long standing feud. They then begin to fight, Lord Capulet calls for his long sword - "Give me my long sword ho!" The two wives Lady Montague and Lady Capulet, try to restrain their husbands at first but then the Prince arrives, he tries to make peace, and he warns the Capulets and Montagues that "If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace." Once the Prince leaves the mood of the scene changes. The scene begins with war and we then hear about the love. Benvolio tells Lady Montague about Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline. We then see the extent of Romeo's love sickness, he is miserable and happy at the same time. The phrase "Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health" is Romeo's way of expressing his mixed emotions. Benvolio then offers him sympathy and Romeo talks about his
At the beginning of act 1, scene 2 the conversation between Tybalt and Lord Capulet shows the hate for each other's families. Tybalt talks about how Romeo is at the party to ruin their night. “A villain, that is hither come in spite to scorn at our solemnity this night.” (act 1, scene 5, lines 64-65) Tybalt hates Romeo because he is a Capulet and Romeo is a Montague, that is basically the only reason. Also in in the first scene, the fight, shows that a fight can break out from people of each house just seeing each other and talking because of the amount of hate. The family feud started this fight scene, which in return of them getting caught in this fight caused Romeo to be banished after the next big fight scene. Also in this quote from Tybalt shows his hate for the Montagues. “I hate the word as I hate hell, Montagues, and thee.”(act 1, scene 1, lines 71-72) Because Tybalt hates the Montagues he wants revenge on Romeo for coming to the Capulets party. This revenge Mercutio's and His own death. Which in the long run kills Romeo and juliet because of Tybalt's death and Romeo's
Violence throughout the city of Verona between two prominent families: The Montagues and The Capulets, ending in the death of the two star crossed lovers. The play “Romeo and Juliet were written by William Shakespeare. During a party hosted by the high up family the Capulets, these kids fell in love. Friar Lawrence wanted these kids to be together, so he had married them, and they have lived happily. They had died for love after their parents said they couldn’t be together. The Capulets has is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet’s death because they said they will kick her out if she does go to be with Romeo, also Juliet’s cousin Tybalt started a fight with Mercutio.
The tense family feud between the Montagues and the Capulets in Romeo & Juliet helps fuel the conflict but also sets the stage for Romeo and Juliet's death. In the story, the two families the Montagues and the Capulets are described to have a long-standing blood feud. "Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbor-stained steel" (1.1 81-82). This quote from the Prince perfectly describes how dire
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is often thought to be a play of endless love and passion. However, many readers come to the conclusion that although the play oozes out love, violence plays a big role as well. From the beginning of the play, pandemonium surrounded Verona, with fights breaking out all time. Sampson and Gregory are already speaking of violence, then Benvolio and Tybalt began to fight. This play began and ended with violence. The violence in this play is driven the by great Capulet-Montague feud. Both families are so caught up in each others hatred for one other that they cannot see the impact it has on their families. From the honour, love and power the two families hold, its gets reflected into violence which brings
Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare. “Hatred and violence breed only tragedy”, is a major theme in this play. The Montague and Capulet are two rival families. They were involved in a family feud that goes back years before anyone can remember. However, the grudge still continues, due to the fact that both families are not ready to forgive and forget the past. The families’ ongoing quarrels and feud, lead to the deaths of several characters including the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare is the second most quoted writer in the English language – after the various writers of the Bible. This being said Shakespeare has been read by many and understood by some. These are the people who can fully comprehend the themes of his works. The main themes of Romeo and Juliet are violence and fate because the feud between the Montagues and Capulets and the violent end that the two lovers had.
Romeo and Juliet introduces us to a long lasting feud carried through many generations and brought upon two families children. “Two households, both alike in dignity / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean” (Shakespeare Prologue.1-4). This feud the Capulets and Montagues have not only affected their children but the citizens of Verona. When two relatives of the different families start fighting against one another, the citizens start fighting against them and soon everyone is pulling out swords until the Prince comes to break up the quarrel in his city. If the Capulets and Montagues were not openly
Benvolio commences off by having a compassionate conversation with the Montague’s about how Romeo is despondent and sits up in his room crying. Benvolio says he will attempt to find out what is bothering Romeo to see if he can punch the truth out of him, which makes it compassionate because he cares. Benvolio try’s to get Romeo’s mind off of Rosaline, by trying to help him thorough words which helps. This is compassionate because even though he had a discussion with the Montague’s, he was not obligated to actually do something about a problem that was not his but he was concerned about someone he saw was dismayed and gave words of encouragement. Lastly, to see if he can make Romeo feel even better, Benvolio wants to take Romeo to the Capulet feast which is where he thinks Romeo will meet prepossessing girls rather than Rosaline. This is compassionate because he is trying to find someone else because he sees that Rosaline expectations are different from Romeo’s expectations so he is in a way taking his mind off what should not be on his mind by stating “Tut man, one fire burns out another’s burning. One pain is lessened by another’s anguish. Turn giddy, and be helped by backward turning”(1,i,189). Benvolio says these lines in an endeavor to help Romeo get over his feelings because Benvolio has shown that he cares about how people feel. He feels like he has a
Without sympathy, there can be no tragedy, only the mockery of one. For the play to provoke emotions, the audience would have to connect with the characters whom they can identify and relate with. At the heart of tragedies, there is the conflict of moral values that should be universally seen by the audience that allows them to actively make decisions and relate from their own experiences. The emotional and moral elements of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet are belittled and mocked because of the sheer dramatics of easily resolved conflicts and idiocy of many of the main characters. The most prominent and main external conflict in the play, that also contributes to the notable suicide of the two protagonists, is the rivalry between the two families, Montague and Capulet, that has gone on for so long that both families have disregarded to speak about the origin of the war and instead have chosen to fight in the streets of Verona. Benvolio’s many attempts to resolve the conflicts are evaded such as when Tybalt remarks, “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” By deciding to “turn and draw” recklessly in public rather than peacefully sorting out the war, both families are seen as immature and imprudent with the deaths at their fault. Furthermore, many of the characters do nothing for the benefit of others, eliminating the possibility for the audience to have sympathy for the
Although he lived hundreds of years ago, the works of William Shakespeare are still read all around the world today. The timeless themes from his plays can still be applied to everyday life, with one example being one of Romeo and Juliet’s themes, that violence shouldn’t be used unless all else fails.
When Tybalt declares, “Romeo…thou art a villain”, he expresses this in response to his degrading pride, ergo of Romeo’s attendance at the Capulet ball. Tybalt’s defensive and cowardly nature contrasts with Romeo’s courage in attending the ball, however, ironically, Romeo is considered a coward by Mercutio, due to his reluctance to fight, Tybalt. Furthermore, this question of “hero” or “villain” is not defined as conflict is instigated despite whether one is recognised as a “hero” or “villain”. Consequential of Mercutio’s remark that Romeo is cowardly, physical conflict follows, Mercutio’s death. He then declares, “A plague both your houses!”, as he comes to realise that his death was a result of this hatred. Foreshadowing of later devastating events occur and it is only after his death that Romeo realises the consequences of his love
Immediately in the first scene of the play, the audience see how love can have such a severe effect on a person’s emotions when the love is unrequited. Although this love may be the least convincing romantic love in the play, Shakespeare still manages to use the excessive affection to fill the scene with tension in the two-part exchange. This exchange is between Romeo and Benvolio. Romeo’s emotions consume Benvolio because the love which he is very willing to give to Rosaline isn’t being returned. The audience share Romeo’s anguish and mental sickness because he expresses his emotions almost in riddles during the exchange. As the exchange starts, Romeo wishes to be alone and isolated from everyone around him. The length and distribution of turns communicate Romeo’s solitude. Both Romeo and Benvolio use very short lines because Romeo has no desire to speak to anyone and Benvolio is cautious; he is aware of Romeo’s unstable state. This volatile state is also expressed with the use of the long vowel sounds and monosyllabic phrases. Phrases uttered by Romeo such as
Despite the horrible news that she had learnt, Juliet couldn’t help but feel relieved for her dear Romeo was still alive; the feeling wouldn’t last long. Juliet soon discovers that Romeo had been banished from Verona ,which, in her eyes, was a worse punishment than death. The nurse continues to grieve for Tybalt which leads Juliet into a state of emotional conflict between herself which was a result of physical conflict between Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt. Juliet argues with herself because she is finding it hard to separate the romantic love she has for Romeo and the family type of love that she shares with Tybalt. When Juliet refers to Romeo as a "Beautiful tyrant, fiend
Mercutio and Benvolio stood up for Romeo when he needed help. They gave Romeo advice to win Juliet’s heart. Both, Benvolio and Mercutio, try their best to make Romeo happy in his gloomy days. In the streets, Benvolio and Mercutio run into Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, and they try to avoid a fight that Tybalt started. Romeo comes along and is trying to be nice to Tybalt, because they are now related.
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet follows the journey of two star-crossed lovers who try to stay together despite their families mutual hatred. The play takes place in the city of Verona where two esteemed families have a violent feud. The conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets has many effects that all contribute to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, such as when the feud angers the Prince into banning the fighting of the Capulets and the Montagues with the punishment of death, provokes Capulet and Lady Capulet into forcing Juliet to marry Paris, and results in the death of both many Montagues and Capulets. Finally, the conflict causes Romeo and Juliet to defy their families in order to be together, which ultimately ends in their deaths.