theme of conflict in romeo and juliet essay

Romeo and Juliet Themes

Themes in “romeo and juliet”, the abiding quality of romantic love, individual vs. society, the overarching power of patriarchy, the theme of death, the inevitability of fate,  ideological divide between the young and the old, the absurdity underlying family feuds, related posts:, post navigation.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Romeo and Juliet — Themes of Love, Hatred and Conflict in ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Themes of Love, Hatred and Conflict in 'Romeo and Juliet'

• Categories: Romeo and Juliet Tragedy William Shakespeare

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Romeo and Juliet

William shakespeare.

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“These violent delights have violent ends,” says Friar Laurence in an attempt to warn Romeo , early on in the play, of the dangers of falling in love too hard or too fast. In the world of Romeo and Juliet , love is not pretty or idealized—it is chaotic and dangerous. Throughout the play, love is connected through word and action with violence, and Romeo and Juliet ’s deepest mutual expression of love occurs when the “star-crossed lovers take their life.” By connecting love with pain and ultimately with suicide, Shakespeare suggests that there is an inherent sense of violence in many of the physical and emotional facets of expressing love—a chaotic and complex emotion very different from the serene, idealized sweetness it’s so often portrayed as being.

There are countless instances throughout Romeo and Juliet in which love and violence are connected. After their marriage, Juliet imagines in detail the passion she and Romeo will share on their wedding night, and invokes the Elizabethan characterization of orgasm as a small death or “petite mort”—she looks forward to the moment she will “die” and see Romeo’s face reflected in the stars above her. When Romeo overhears Juliet say that she wishes he were not a Montague so that they could be together, he declares that his name is “hateful” and offers to write it down on a piece of paper just so he can rip it up and obliterate it—and, along with it, his very identity, and sense of self as part of the Montague family. When Juliet finds out that her parents, ignorant of her secret marriage to Romeo, have arranged for her to marry Paris , she goes to Friar Laurence’s chambers with a knife, threatening to kill herself if he is unable to come up with a plan that will allow her to escape her second marriage. All of these examples represent just a fraction of the instances in which language and action conspire to render love as a “violent delight” whose “violent ends” result in danger, injury, and even death. Feeling oneself in the throes of love, Shakespeare suggests, is tumultuous and destabilizing enough—but the real violence of love, he argues, emerges in the many ways of expressing love.

Emotional and verbal expressions of love are the ones most frequently deployed throughout the play. Romeo and Juliet wax poetic about their great love for each other—and the misery they feel as a result of that love—over and over again, and at great lengths. Often, one of their friends or servants must cut them off mid-speech—otherwise, Shakespeare seems to suggest, Romeo and Juliet would spend hours trying to wrestle their feelings into words. Though Romeo and Juliet say lovely things about one another, to be sure, their speeches about each other, or about love more broadly, are almost always tinged with violence, which illustrates their chaotic passion for each other and their desire to mow down anything that stands in its way. When Romeo, for instance, spots Juliet at her window in the famous “balcony scene” in Act 2, Scene 2, he wills her to come closer by whispering, “Arise, fair sun ”—a beautiful metaphor of his love and desire for Juliet—and quickly follows his entreaty with the dangerous language “and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief.” Juliet’s “sun”-like radiance makes Romeo want her to “kill” the moon (or Rosaline ,) his former love and her rival in beauty and glory, so that Juliet can reign supreme over his heart. Later on in the play, when the arrival of dawn brings an end to Romeo and Juliet’s first night together as man and wife, Juliet invokes the symbol of a lark’s song—traditionally a symbol of love and sweetness—as a violent, ill-meaning presence which seeks to pull Romeo and Juliet apart, “arm from arm,” and “hunt” Romeo out of Juliet’s chambers. Romeo calls love a “rough” thing which “pricks” him like a thorn; Juliet says that if she could love and possess Romeo in the way she wants to, as if he were her pet bird, she would “kill [him] with much cherishing.” The way the two young lovers at the heart of the play speak about love shows an enormously violent undercurrent to their emotions—as they attempt to name their feelings and express themselves, they resort to violence-tinged speech to convey the enormity of their emotions.

Physical expressions of love throughout the play also carry violent connotations. From Romeo and Juliet’s first kiss, described by each of them as a “sin” and a “trespass,” to their last, in which Juliet seeks to kill herself by sucking remnants of poison from the dead Romeo’s lips, the way Romeo and Juliet conceive of the physical and sexual aspects of love are inextricable from how they conceive of violence. Juliet looks forward to “dying” in Romeo’s arms—again, one Elizabethan meaning of the phrase “to die” is to orgasm—while Romeo, just after drinking a vial of poison so lethal a few drops could kill 20 men, chooses to kiss Juliet as his dying act. The violence associated with these acts of sensuality and physical touch furthers Shakespeare’s argument that attempts to adequately express the chaotic, overwhelming, and confusing feelings of intense passion often lead to a commingling with violence.

Violent expressions of love are at the heart of Romeo and Juliet . In presenting and interrogating them, Shakespeare shows his audiences—in the Elizabethan area, the present day, and the centuries in-between—that love is not pleasant, reserved, cordial, or sweet. Rather, it is a violent and all-consuming force. As lovers especially those facing obstacles and uncertainties like the ones Romeo and Juliet encounter, struggle to express their love, there may be eruptions of violence both between the lovers themselves and within the communities of which they’re a part.

Love and Violence ThemeTracker

Love and Violence Quotes in Romeo and Juliet

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. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows, Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Why then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O any thing, of nothing first created; O heavy lightness! serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!

Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear, Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

You kiss by th’ book.

My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; — Thou art thyself though, not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other word would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title: — Romeo, doff thy name; And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself.

I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptis'd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good-night till it be morrow.

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford No better term than this: thou art a villain.

Romeo: Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much. Mercutio: No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

O, I am fortune's fool!

Come, gentle night, — come, loving black brow'd night, Give me my Romeo; and when he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of Heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night, And pay no worship to the garish sun.

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, That pierc'd the fearful hollow of thine ear; Nightly she sings on yond pomegranate tree. Believe me love, it was the nightingale.

Is there no pity sitting in the clouds That sees into the bottom of my grief? O sweet my mother, cast me not away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week, Or if you do not, make the bridal bed In that dim monument where Tybalt lies.

Or bid me go into a new-made grave, And hide me with a dead man in his shroud - Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble - And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love.

Then I defy you, stars!

O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. — Thus with a kiss I die.

Yea, noise, then I'll be brief; O, happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die.

For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

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The Violence And Conflict Of Romeo And Juliet English Literature Essay

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Romeo & Juliet: Themes ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

Having a thorough grasp of the following themes, and crucially, how and why Shakespeare explores these themes will enable you to produce a “conceptualised response” in your exam. Linking carefully to the structure of the plot and what we know about the attitudes of the time period will give you access to the very highest marks on the mark scheme.

Examiners want to see students connecting themes to the plot structure: how the theme is presented in the beginning, how it develops and how it is shown at the end. This will ensure you are analysing structure as well as theme. By considering the plot as a story arc driving home the messages within the themes, your analysis should explore how the characters and themes develop, and, especially, why Shakespeare chose to end the play as a tragedy . Using structural terms, such as foreshadowing and juxtaposition , will strengthen your analysis of the way the themes develop.

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents the challenges faced by two young people in love due to societal attitudes and family pressures. Shakespeare’s play shows how closely related love is to hate and how this throws obstacles in love’s path. 

Romeo and Juliet as a tragedy

Knowledge and evidence:

• In this play, Shakespeare shows the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet as a tragedy for their families 
• The protagonist’s death often ends a tragedy
• The characters of both Romeo and Juliet are the play’s tragic heroes
• Their t ragic flaw  is confusion and impulsiveness in familial and romantic love 
• Sharing the lines connotes equality in their love
• Religious i magery within the sonnet suggests purity
• Friar Laurence  f oreshadows the tragedy : “these violent delights have violent ends”   
• The play ends in a double tragedy as the “star-cross’d” lovers die together to seal their love

Patriarchal structures in Renaissance England

Knowledge and evidence: 

• Juliet is obligated to marry the man chosen by her father, Lord Capulet
• Lord Capulet disowns Juliet when she refuses to marry a man she does not love
• Romeo’s friends and family sway him away from thoughts about love and force him into the family f eud
• Romeo attempts to avoid conflict. He tells Tybalt, “The reason I have to love thee does much excuse the appertaining rage with which you greet me”

What is Shakespeare’s intention?

• Shakespeare challenges societal norms in Renaissance culture that prioritise marriage for social advancement over love
• Shakespeare shows how discrimination and hatred in the name of family love leads to violence and tragedy
• Shakespeare presents ideas about expectations of gender roles by presenting the external pressures placed upon Romeo and Juliet when they fall in love 
• By closely aligning love and hate in the play, he shows them as opposites which are inextricably linked
• Shakespeare challenges patriarchal expectations regarding masculinity which encourage conflict rather than love

As much as the play is about love, it is equally about conflict. Conflicts are shown between friends, within families and between families. Shakespeare’s characters are unaware of the reason behind the feud , suggesting it is emotional rather than logical.

Parental conflict 

• Juliet’s conflict with her parents lies in her refusal to marry Paris:
• Disowned and isolated, she is driven to extreme measures: “O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, From off the battlements of any tower” 
• Juliet seeks advice and comfort from her nurse 
• Romeo’s conflict is shown by his inability to communicate with his parents :
• Lord Montague knows his son is struggling with confusing feelings, but directs Romeo’s friend, Benvolio, to comfort him 
• Lady Montague shows concern about Romeo brawling in the streets but knows little of her son’s whereabouts 
• Romeo seeks a paternal figure in Friar Laurence
• Shakespeare questions the role of indiscriminate hatred by showing two families at war with no idea why
• Shakespeare presents the possible outcomes of family conflict by showing Juliet’s despair at being disowned
• Shakespeare challenges conflict and violence brought about by peer pressure between friends 
• Shakespeare shows how conflicts between friends, families and feuding factions bring about even more conflict, violence and, ultimately, tragedy

The conflict between the house of Montagues and the house of Capulets is presented as a feud based upon family honour. The characters in the play believe very strongly in upholding their family honour; part of that meant hating the enemy family.

• The servants from each house bite thumbs at each other in insult
• He tells Benvolio that he hates peace, hell and all Montagues  
• When Romeo is identified at the Capulet party he states, “By the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin”
• He tells Tybalt that he holds the Capulet name as dearly as his own 
• Shakespeare employs  d ramatic irony   so that only the audience, Romeo, Juliet, the nurse and the friar know about the secret marriage
• Romeo’s friend, Mercutio, believes his refusal to fight Tybalt is, a “vile, dishonourable submission”
• Romeo’s murder of Tybalt as revenge for Mercutio’s death leads to his exile
• In a s oliloquy , she asks, “What’s in a name?” questioning the family feud over honour
• Shakespeare challenges ideas about family duty and honour by presenting them as potentially damaging forces
• Shakespeare points out how the Capulets and Montagues prioritise their desires for social status and how their love of their family name leads them to abandon their children’s desires and concerns 
• Shakespeare shows how peer pressure related to honour can lead to violence
• Shakespeare presents two young people who are confused by the way their families hate indiscriminately in the name of family honour

Romeo and Juliet are doomed from the start, we learn from the p rologue . But throughout the play, Shakespeare presents Romeo and Juliet trying to master their free will and overcome powers of destiny which are tied up in external pressures around them. 

• Many people would submit free will and look to the stars, believing the gods had  ‘predestined’ their fortunes
• Shakespeare’s tragedy begins with the c horus telling the audience that the two lovers are “star-cross’d” and their destiny is set
• Romeo and Juliet battle with their own free will within turbulent relationships
• Audiences witness how external events affected their future
• By using j uxtaposition to show contrasting scenes next to each other, Shakespeare shows the “passage of their death-mark’d love” with dramatic tension
• He begins by accepting fate, asking it to “Direct my sails”. This leads him to his fated encounter with Juliet
• Shakespeare  f oreshadows  this with Romeo’s premonition just before the Capulet ball where he sees his “untimely death” ahead of him
• By the climax of the play, Romeo reluctantly accepts he is “fortune’s fool!” having been exiled to Mantua for murdering Tybalt
• In a twist of fate Romeo receives the wrong message and learns that Juliet is dead 
• In a defiant act of free will, Romeo returns to Verona: “I defy you, Stars!”
• She senses impending doom when she meets Romeo and likens her marriage bed to a grave
• In a premonition she sees Romeo as one “dead at the bottom of a tomb”
• The play ends with a morbid twist of fate, as Romeo and Juliet’s fateful timing leads to their deaths, thus confirming the c horus predictions in the Prologue
• Shakespeare challenges ideas about a utonomy  over our lives
• Shakespeare asks audiences to question whether coincidence or destiny is at work in the story
• Shakespeare presents the possibilities that fate can be connected closely to the environment by showing how conflicts and pressures impact choices
• Shakespeare challenges an Elizabethan audience who believed that the stars and planets impacted their fortunes

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Author: Sam Evans

Sam is a graduate in English Language and Literature, specialising in journalism and the history and varieties of English. Before teaching, Sam had a career in tourism in South Africa and Europe. After training to become a teacher, Sam taught English Language and Literature and Communication and Culture in three outstanding secondary schools across England. Her teaching experience began in nursery schools, where she achieved a qualification in Early Years Foundation education. Sam went on to train in the SEN department of a secondary school, working closely with visually impaired students. From there, she went on to manage KS3 and GCSE English language and literature, as well as leading the Sixth Form curriculum. During this time, Sam trained as an examiner in AQA and iGCSE and has marked GCSE English examinations across a range of specifications. She went on to tutor Business English, English as a Second Language and international GCSE English to students around the world, as well as tutoring A level, GCSE and KS3 students for educational provisions in England. Sam freelances as a ghostwriter on novels, business articles and reports, academic resources and non-fiction books.

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Depicting Literary Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

In this activity, activity overview, template and class instructions, more storyboard that activities.

• This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides

Literary conflicts are another major element often taught during ELA units. Building on prior knowledge to achieve mastery level with our students is important. An excellent way to focus on the various types of literary conflict is through storyboarding. Having students choose an example of each Literary conflict and depict it using the storyboard creator is a great way to reinforce your lesson!

In Romeo and Juliet , conflict is not only present, but also an important recurring element. Much of the conflict arises from the haste of love-struck Romeo and his rash decisions. Other conflicts arise from hidden secrets, most notably the Friar's concealment of Romeo and Juliet's marriage. Notice the examples from the storyboard above:

Romeo and Juliet Literary Conflict Examples

MAN vs. SELF

Romeo is at war within himself over rejected feelings of deep love. His words, "Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that not what it is!" shows his conflicted state.

MAN vs. SOCIETY

Mercutio is a contrast to Romeo. Unlike his friend, he laughs at society's notion of love. In his "Queen Mab" speech, he constructs a satire of Romeo's love and dreams. The quote, "O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you... she gallops night by night... Through lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love!” exemplifies Mercutio's sarcastic nature. It is aimed at the love-struck Romeo, who is acting naive, rash, and impatient.

MAN vs. MAN

Romeo kills Tybalt out of revenge. The quote, "Curse you Romeo!" has multiple interpretations. It primarily illustrates this Man vs. Man conflict; however, it also foreshadows Romeo’s cursed fate solidifies Romeo as a tragic hero .

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows three forms of literary conflict in Romeo and Juliet .

• Click "Start Assignment".
• Identify conflicts in Romeo and Juliet .
• Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology .
• Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the play.
• Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Types of Literary Conflict

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric .)

How to Teach Literary Conflict with a Focus on Character Development

Introduction to literary conflict and character development.

Start by defining the concept of literary conflict and its role in storytelling. Explain that literary conflict often drives character development by presenting challenges and choices. Provide examples of different types of conflicts (e.g., internal, external, character vs. character) and their potential impact on characters.

Reading and Identifying Conflicts in "Romeo and Juliet"

Select a passage from "Romeo and Juliet" that features significant conflicts impacting character development. Read and analyze the passage with the class, highlighting the conflicts and their effects on the characters. Encourage students to explore how the characters respond to these conflicts.

Character Development Through Storyboarding

Introduce the concept of storyboarding as a visual tool for representing literary conflicts and character development. Explain the assignment: students will select a character from "Romeo and Juliet," choose a conflict that significantly influences that character, and create a storyboard depicting the conflict and its impact on character development. Provide examples of storyboards or use a digital storyboard creator to demonstrate the process.

Storyboard Presentation and Discussion

Organize a presentation session where students share their storyboards with the class. Encourage students to explain their choices, the conflict's impact on character development, and the significance of the scenes depicted. Lead class discussions on each presentation, analyzing the various conflicts and character responses.

Frequently Asked Questions about Depicting Literary Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

What are the primary types of conflict present in "romeo and juliet," and how do they shape the narrative and characters.

The primary types of conflict in "Romeo and Juliet" are external and internal conflicts. The external conflict is the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, driving the narrative's tension and tragedy. Internal conflicts involve the characters' inner struggles, like Romeo and Juliet's love conflicting with their loyalty to their families. These conflicts shape the characters' decisions, intensify the plot's drama, and ultimately lead to the tragic resolution.

What role does the conflict of fate vs. free will play in the characters' decisions and the development of the plot?

The conflict of fate vs. free will is a central theme in the play. Characters often believe they are subject to destiny, and their decisions are influenced by this belief. Romeo and Juliet's actions are driven by their passionate love and the belief that they are meant to be together. The tension between fate and free will creates a sense of inevitability and adds to the tragic nature of the story.

In what ways does the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations manifest in the characters' actions and decisions?

The conflict between individual desires and societal expectations is evident in characters like Juliet, who defies her family's expectations to be with Romeo, and Romeo, who challenges the norms of their society. These conflicts lead to secret marriages, disobedience, and a series of tragic misunderstandings. The clash between personal desires and societal constraints underscores the play's themes of love and rebellion.

Can you recommend specific storyboard templates or worksheet formats that are well-suited for exploring the internal conflicts faced by characters like Romeo and Juliet, and how can these formats complement classroom discussions?

For exploring the internal conflicts of characters like Romeo and Juliet, storyboard templates with sections for identifying the conflict, providing textual evidence, illustrating the emotional state, and explaining the significance work well. Worksheets with tables or graphic organizers can also facilitate analysis. These formats help students visually represent and discuss the characters' inner struggles, encouraging in-depth classroom discussions about character development and conflict in the play.

Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

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Theme of Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of Shakespeare's most famous and popular plays. It tells the story of 'two starcross'd lovers' and addresses such themes as Romance but also tragedy. However it also contains themes of violence/conflict/death. The play begins with a prologue which is kind of a summary of the play but doesn't give all the details of the play away to the audience as it includes the setting of the play and a bit of background information. Then a fued is introduced straight away between the younger generation of the two rival families which are the Montague's and the Capulet's. I am going to examine the theme of conflict in Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 3 Scene 5. Here we have the opening scene set in Verona. With bawdy …show more content…

The abundant swordplay throughout the play affects the theme of conflict used in ?Romeo and Juliet?. In this play, there are spontaneous actions of the characters rather than their thoughts. There are many types of conflicts to be appeared in this play such as family conflicts society conflicts and generation conflicts. When lady Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris but Juliet wants to marry Romeo, appears to be a conflict between them. There is also conflict in the two families and their general relationship with their

Discuss the Importance of Act Three, Scene 5. How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices in Order to Make It Such an Interesting and Important Scene?

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragic love story. The story concerns the love between two young people, Romeo and Juliet. This is set against a feud between their two families: the Montagues and the Capulets. This feud develops the themes of conflict, deception and dignity in the play. The play includes a lot of themes, love, family, hate, deception and revenge.

Tension Between Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet was a classic romance novel about passion, love and tragedy, written and first acted in 1595. According to Alan Durband, many versions of Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet all relate to Shakespeare's understanding of early life in Verona. Romeo, a Montague, falls in love with Juliet, a Capulet, because he is romantically inclined. The Capulets and Montagues are feuding households His impulsivity caused a lot of people to die and experience emotional pain. Falling in love with Juliet was the event that started a chain reaction.

Examples Of Internal Conflict In Romeo And Juliet

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare, an abundance of internal conflict weaves through the plot line of the story. For example, Romeo travels to Friar Lawrence’s cell to pronounce his love for Juliet, a Montague. In addition, he asks the Friar to marry them. Friar Lawrence, skeptical, weighs the consequences in his head because the decision could change the fate of everyone in Verona. He expresses to Romeo that “They stumble who run fast” (2.3.101), however he agrees to perform the ceremony “For this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn [their] households' rancor to pure love” (2.3.98-99). In these lines, the Friar has internal conflict for he does not want the situation to go awry. Shakespeare uses this unsureness

How Does Shakespeare Use Conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1?

In this essay I will address how conflict is successfully used in Act 1 Scene 1 to prepare the audience for the rest of the play. It will firstly show how Shakespeare uses physical conflict between the two feuding families. Secondly I will demonstrate the idea that Shakespeare introduces emotional conflict through the character of Romeo, and his outpourings of love for Rosaline. Finally I will show that the character of Romeo demonstrates both physical or external conflict and emotional or internal conflict. The purpose of the prologue is to clearly outline the plot of the whole play in fourteen lines and it also allows the audience to be settled before the actual play

Violence and Conflict in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

for example: "thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more, or a

How Does Shakespeare Present Conflict in Act 3 Scene 1? Essay

In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ there is alot of conflict particularly in act 3 scene 1. The audience find conflict interesting to watch because it creates drama and tension. Shakespeare uses many dramatic devices to present this; some of these techniques include foreshadowing, puns and irony to add to this effect. Another reason why Shakespeare uses conflict in the play is so that the audience are able to get attached to it and watch the conflict grow. The fact that the scene is set in a public place encourages the characters to show off, the characters do this because they want to show their strength and show people that they are not afraid. The conflict in the

Essay on Theme of Conflict in "Romeo and Juliet"

‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare incorporates the theme of conflict through many different characters and situations. The definition of conflict is “a fight, battle, or struggle; especially a prolonged struggle; strife” The play mainly focuses on the tragic lives of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet; the two characters belong to the Montague and Capulet households respectively, which have held ongoing grudges against each other for years. The play ends with both main characters committing suicide, to be together in heaven. As with many of Shakespeare’s works, the theme of conflict is a strong one. For a start, there is the ongoing conflict between the two families; the Montagues and the Capulets. The audience is unsure how this

Conflict Within William Shakespeare 's Romeo And Juliet

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare conveys the theme of conflict in a myriad of forms. This theme of conflict is presented through the characters language and speech, as well as sporadically their actions. Notably, the conflict can be eternal, physical, mental and emotional which allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the characters. Furthermore, the idea of conflict is emphasized further when placed in juxtaposition with its antithesis theme love.

Romeo And Juliet Internal Conflict

In this scene of the play, Juliet is met with the internal struggle of whether or not she will drink the vial Friar Laurence has given her as part of the plan. In the song the lyrics introduce with how “Some people watch, some people pray” “some people hope, some people pray.” I believe this is Juliet's internal conflict on how she is praying for a miracle for people to watch. The next line that the play reflects is where it says “Cause even heroes get the blues or any misery you choose we like to use and we were born to lose”. The plays reflects on how Juliet who is a main character or well Heroine of the story but despite that she stills feels sad and the misery she chooses is to fake

Conflict Of Conflict In William Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'

In Act 1, Scene 1, of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Sampson states, “I strike quickly, being moved [. . .] A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s” (1. 1. 5-10). In this quote, Shakespeare makes the mistake of saying that Sampson and Gregory wanted to fight with Montague’s men instead of Capulet’s. Regardless of this, Sampson says that he wants to fight the opposing household because he is vexed by them. The conflict between the two households has driven Sampson to want to fight with anyone even associated with the Capulet’s. This exhibits the hatred Sampson and Gregory feel for the Capulet’s due to this conflict.

Examples Of Conflict In Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare is one of the most profound writers of all time. When he wrote his famous “Romeo and Juliet” he addressed many thematic concepts. One that most intrigued me was Civil Disorder. In this thematic concept Shakespeare becomes the king of puns. When he creates the quarrel between the Montagues and the Capulets we see his creativity in heated conversations.

Conflict And Love In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is conflict and love. Conflict and love are both shown through characterization in all of the characters. In the beginning, we see Juliet 's character as a little young child who obeys her family duties. When she meets, Romeo, her character is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. Juliet 's character is the source of conflict and we see this through her developing actions. Romeo creates Juliet into this powerful young women. Romeo is so important to Juliet that she does not want to loose him. Conflict begins to arise when things actually take off. Once they are together on the balcony, is when they both realize that they are meant for each other. That true love is true and that they are destined for the stars. True love is

Conflict Within Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare

Throughout Romeo and Juliet the theme of conflict is conveyed in many forms, mostly through physical violence; reflected in the era of the Renaissance where there was political turmoil and many European nations were at war. Shakespeare presents the theme in other forms as well; family versus family, sacred versus profane, parent versus child and language versus inner conflict. Conflict is a key in the structure of the play; it is highlighted in the beginning, middle and end. As an audience we are constantly being reminded of conflict which is reflected within the era the play was written in. The Renaissance was the 'rebirth ' of classical learning and was also the time when Science challenged many traditional Christian beliefs which resulted in Catholics fighting Protestants; the Gunpowder plot and the Spanish Armada. Shakespeare chose to dramatise conflict as it was the context in which he was writing plays. It is therefore arguable that this period was characterised by irreconcilable opposites in politics, religion and art. Nothing in the world can exist without its opposite- just as love cannot exist without hate, violence cannot exist without peace.

Romeo And Juliet Conflict Analysis

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, tells the tale of two young lovers whose lives end in great tragedy. What makes their story so tragic is that despite their love for one another, their families are mortal enemies. Conflict is a central ingredient in Romeo and Juliet's sad fate. Although their love for each other is strong, it cannot overcome the deluge of conflict that surrounds them. Ultimately they are defeated by the conflicts of person vs person, person vs self, and person vs society.

Romeo And Juliet Conflict Essay

In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s drama causes many person vs person conflicts. Readers first recognize this conflict when Romeo immediately falls in love with Juliet. Romeo and Juliet first meet face to face at a masquerade ball, and they fall in love within five minutes. After the five minutes, each finds out that their lover comes from their opposing family. Romeo says “Is she a Capulet?/ O dear account!

Related Topics

• Characters in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay

Cassidy Lucero May 29, 2024 Mrs. Selfridge English 1 Period 1 Essay Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet depicts the young lovers' tragic deaths as inevitable from the start given three main factors of their love story: obsession, feuding families, and fate. Romeo's obsessive love leads to impulsive decisions and intense feelings that set the stage for their tragic end. The conflict between the two houses creates a hostile environment that makes their secret love affair risky. However, the looming presence of fate ultimately seals their destiny, revealing that, despite their choices and turn of events, their ending was set in stone. Illustrating Romeo with labile love interests, first with Rosaline and the extreme reaction to rejection then sudden …show more content…

Furthermore, Mercutio is hurt in a fight and says, "I am hurt." A plague o' both your houses! I am speedy” (121). Mercutio’s death not only shows the harmful impact caused by rivalry between the families, but it also foreshadows Romeo and Juliet's tragic fates. It points out the unsafe situation they are in, where even friends' deaths are caused by this rivalry, adding to the danger that their hidden love brings. Shakespeare repeatedly highlights that the intense feud and constant danger between the Montagues and Capulets enhances the riskiness of their secret love and hints at their approaching deaths. Ultimately, forces beyond their control, especially forces predetermined by the stars, determined Romeo and Juliet's fate. Romeo and his friends prepare to attend the Capulet's party. Before they go in Romeo has an uneasy feeling that something is going to happen if he goes into the party and says "I fear too early, for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars" …show more content…

This action portrays how uncontrolled forces, like fate, lead Romeo and Juliet to their suicides. After Romeo kills Tybalt he realizes the severity of his actions feeling trapped by fate, he says "O, I am fortune's fool!" 125. The Romeo realizes his killing of Tybalt further complicates his relationship with Juliet. Feeling like a puppet controlled by fate, he cannot escape his fate, which by definition is a force beyond his control. Romeo finds Juliet appearing dead in Act 5 Scene 3 overwhelmed with grief, he says, "Then I deny you, stars!" 213. The. This depicts Romeo's desperate attempt to defy the fate that has been set by the stars by ending his own life rather than letting the stars dictate his death. Thus, Romeo tries to take control by choosing to kill himself rather than live without Juliet. His decision to try to reject fate plays into the tragic destiny that had been set for them. Shakespeare highlights that despite Romeo and Juliet’s attempts to control their destiny, the star’s predetermined forces were the ultimate deciders of their

More about Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay

Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare

Student Question

How important is the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet ?

themes: conflict

Expert Answers

Who are the experts? Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.

Educator since 2005

I have taught high school English for six years and have taught all levels except sophomores.

Both responders above make credible and valid points about conflict and theme; and to be sure, the question as posed is a little odd. As with any story, take away the conflict/s and there isn't much of anything left. At least nothing interesting. ;-)

That being said, I do believe Shakespeare uses R&J as a vehicle to present observations about the nature of conflict, and these are questions which are quite germane to the play itself. For instance, Shakespeare uses the chorus ' prologue to firmly cast the feuding families in a shameful light. That they have remained engaged in a conflict that has transcended the generations so far as to lose its point and its purpose entirely, suggests something what a conflicted human race we are. I believe Shakespeare must have been purposeful in omitting any historical context to their argument - his point was that there was no point to the feuding.

Based upon the sub plots and complications throughout the play, it stands to reason that Shakespeare has a message about the fruitlessness of petty conflicts. Based upon what becomes of Romeo 's friendship with the Friar, Juliet 's estranged relationship with the nurse and her entire family, and the regretful deaths of Tybalt, Mercutio , and Paris - perhaps we could say that we should be a bit more careful, particularly in our youth, about the battles we choose.

I submit this response in the spirit of trying to justify the question's intent.

Cite this page as follows:

Meenach, Jason. "How important is the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet ?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 18 June 2007, https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/questions/how-important-theme-conflict-play-romeo-juliet-4521.

Educator since 2007

1,331 answers

I have been teaching for 21 years in both middle school and high school.

I just want to be sure you understand that conflict is an element of all literature. Conflict is the struggle between two opposing forces. You have different kinds of conflict that characters have to face.One is thecharacters themselves have a conflict with each other, known as man vs.man. This is the feud between the two families.Man vs. nature iswhere the struggle involves something found in nature,suchas anearthquake. A conflict with something in society can occur by fighting against a government that is tyrannical. In Romeo and Juliet,this occurswhen Romeo is banished for killing Tybalt. Man vs. the unknown isa type of conflict where a character struggles against something for which there is no explanation. This is seen in the play when the lovers struggle against fate. The last type of conflict is man vs. himself, where the character has an internal struggle. She/he must overcome or deal with something like whether to tell on your best friend or finding the courage to fight a drug addiction. Romeo and Juliet have internal struggles they must face in the play, such as finding out that each is from the family that's a sworn enemy.

Madnick, Beverly. "How important is the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet ?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 17 June 2007, https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/questions/how-important-theme-conflict-play-romeo-juliet-4521.

This is my 7th year teaching, adn I love it more every year.

I’m not sure one can even consider the unqualified term “conflict” as a theme at all. Consider that every play, indeed nearly every piece of literature, has some sort of conflict at its core; if they didn’t there would be no story. That said, conflicts abound in Romeo and Juliet, and the prolog immediately introduces us to two: the feud between Montagues and Capulets and fate versus the young lovers . Of course, the feud keeps Romeo and Juliet apart to begin with, and fate conspires to keep them apart and eventually drive them to kill themselves.

Quindazzi, Robert. "How important is the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet ?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 17 June 2007, https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/questions/how-important-theme-conflict-play-romeo-juliet-4521.

Educator since 2009

16,815 answers

I currently teach middle school history and have taught at various K–12 levels over the last 13 years.

How important is conflict in Romeo and Juliet?

Conflict is fairly important in both the exposition and the driving of the drama.  The Prologue establishes conflict from the earliest frame of reference.  The entire situation revolving each of the "star- crossed lovers" does not acquire any significance unless there is conflict in "Verona."  The love that Romeo and Juliet display and share towards one another is not as meaningful if the backdrop of conflict and tension between the Montagues and the Capulets is not evident.  In this, the drama shows or displays how conflict is so important to the love that grows between them.  At the same time, the notion of conflict is important to the characters, themselves.  Romeo does not fall for Juliet in such a demonstrative manner without the conflict of what happened between he and Rosalind.  Additionally, Juliet's support and zeal towards Romeo is not as significant without the conflict between she and her parents.  In this, conflict is not only important to the drama, as a whole, but is even more significant in the development of each of the main characters throughout the play.

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Kannan, Ashley. "How important is the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet ?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 21 Nov. 2011, https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/questions/how-important-theme-conflict-play-romeo-juliet-4521.

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