How important is the theme of conflict in the play of Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

How important is the theme of conflict in the play of Romeo and Juliet? Essay The play Romeo and Juliet is based on a love-hate theme which forms an ideal setting for intriguing and violent conflicts. Conflicts have wider ramification in personal, political, community and social lives. As this pertains to our lives the audience try to find similarities and follow the unravelling of consummate interest. Many successful dramas like Ben-Hur, Cleopatra, and Where Eagles Dare, etc. use conflict as the main theme. Conflict is important in Romeo and Juliet because it makes their relationship exceptionally special and establishes victory of love over hate. The story revolves around conflicts between two feuding families, The Capulet and The Montague. The skirmishes lead to unwanted killing of Tybalt by the hands of Romeo, which made him a sworn enemy of the Capulet. This hatred and enmity becomes deeply rooted and entwined as the story unfolds. In the follow up I am going to discuss the conflict in the Prologue, Act I Scene I and Act III Scene V. The prologue in Romeo and Juliet is an introductory speech in a sonnet form calling for the attention of the audience to the theme of the play. Written mainly for the theme of love, sonnet form is best for this play. It also precedes the first act of the play. The sonnet is a form of poetry written in blank verse which contains ten syllables called the Iambic pentameter. Each verse allowed the actors to give their own rhythm and find their own interpretation of the meaning. Prologues were often used to give an outline of a plot because in Shakespeares day and age the vast majority of the audience were illiterate and reactive who would spoil a play if they failed to understand it. So the prologue built them up for a good story which they could understand better and be excited for. Although the modern audiences might find it contrary to their interest if a prologue gives away the ending of a story. The idea of conflict occurs in the prologue. The quotation From ancient grudge breaks to new mutiny refers to a long-standing ill-feeling and grudge between two families which leads to new conflicts and confrontations. It relates to fresh outbreak of fights that resulted in death to members from both families. It mentions Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean meaning two families of good standing and equal status engage in heinous brawls and fights. They drag their reputations through the mud. Then the prologue mentions about the climax of the play saying A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. This quote refers to the ill-fated children Romeo and Juliet from the two feuding families who become lovers and chain of unfortunate events lead there to commit suicide. This draws a tragic end to the play. Do with the death bury their parents strife tells the audience how the unfortunate and sad death of Romeo and Juliet brought an end to their parents quarrels. The shadow of painful early demise of their children left the two families so aggrieved and confounded that they were able to overcome their differences. They came to their senses and realisation that it was pointless and insensible to hate and fight each other. Finally near the end of the prologue the quotation And the continuance of their parents rage emphasises the long drawn out anger and rage of the elders from the two families. However prolong and intense this rivalry and hatred was, it was finally defeated by the overwhelming power of love shown by Romeo and Juliet. Through sacrificing their lives managed to put an end to the continuance of their parents anger. The prologue relates to the audience, the main theme and events that will unfold in the play. It generates interest and curiosity in the audience by creating contrasting views between the beautiful city of Verona and the violence that erupts between two long-standing feuding families. This mood gets poignant when the pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. Initially the mood of audience is of excitement and expectation on hoping to see the affluence of a beautiful city and its people. In the middle past the mood is one of suspense, thrill and confusion as they are told of violence and blood bath. At the end of the play the mood is sombre and melancholic when the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet happen. The tone in the prologue gets across the contrasting message of the play loud and clear to the audience. Initially the tone is flamboyant praising the beauty of Verona and the dignity of its people. Then the tone gets cynical describing the evilness of hatred and this lowness of violence. In the end the tone is poignant and sombre when it talks about the tragic death of the star crossed lovers. As a whole the prologue succeeds in creating of feeling of love, distrust, hate, suspense and ambivalence among the audience. Conflict structures the play. It forms the set and platform on which all the character and story builds up. Act I Scene I opens with a brawl on the streets of Verona between servants from different Montage and Capulet households. The props such as colourful flowers and a beautiful background of the city of Verona contrasting with what is actually taking place. The audience expect to see the male characters from the two feuding families enter the stage and engage in conflict and skirmishes resulting in fatalities. The families clad in colourful dresses as they belong to dignified families. Actors representing the members of the two families could enter from either side of the stage, emplacing the differences in their relationship. Only male actors would be expected to fight because of their dominancy. It was considered improper for woman to even raise their voices in public at that time. Female role were also played by male actors in female makeup and attires. Romeo And Juliet - Chain Of Human Actions EssayJuliet is lamenting Romeos departure but tells mother she is unwell. Madam, I am not well. Her mother misunderstands and thinks that Juliet is sad over the death of Tybalt. Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss. Juliet is weeping because she is experiencing the loss of touching Romeo. Well girl, thou weepst not so much for his death. As that the villain lives which slaughtered him. Lady Capulet is aimed on taking revenge and assumes Juliet feels the same way. Though Juliet says to herself, Villain and he be many miles asunder, then says to her mother, God pardon him I do with all my heart, And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart. Juliet meant that Romeo is far from being a villain. Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands; Would come but I might revenge my cousins death!. Lady Capulet thinks Juliet would kill Romeo herself. Lady Capulet says she will send a person to Romeo with a bottle of poison that would kill him. Indeed, I shall never be satisfied. With Romeo, till I behold him -dead-, Is my poor heart for a kinsman vexed. Juliet says she would temper it (replace poison with a something to put Romeo to a light sleep). She is told that on coming Thursday that Paris will wed her at St. Peters Church. Juliet says Now by Saint Peters Church and Peter too. He shall not make me there a joyful bride. She could not imagine marrying anyone other than Romeo. Capulet enters the scene feeling sympathy for Juliets grieving, supposedly over Tybalt. In order to ease Juliets sorrow he arranges for her to marry Paris and when faced with Juliet outright rejection a new conflict over disagreement arises. Juliet pretends to go along with the advice but will also go to Friar Laurence for help. If he cannot do so she will commit suicide. Before Capulet begins the conflict between himself and Juliet he thinks that Juliet is crying over Tybalts death. Not proud, you have; but thankful, that you have. Proud can I never be of what I hate. But thankful even for hate, that is meant love. Juliet means that she cannot be proud to be Paris wife and she is thankful to her father for arranging the wedding with good intentions. How, how, how, how, choppd logic! What is this? Proud, and I thank you, and I thank you not. And yet not proud. Mistress minion, you, Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds. Capulet orders her to fettle your fine joints against Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Peters Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Fettle is like telling an animal to prepare. Out, you green-sickness carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow-face! He tells her go away, Green-sickness carrion saying she looks as green as mould when dead, she is useless and has the sickness that comes from being a girl, not a married woman. Her father tells her not to speak otherwise that will give him a reason to slap her. Speak not, reply not, do not answer me. My fingers itch. An you be mine, Ill give you to my friend. And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets if she is his daughter, marry Paris and if she refuses, she is not his daughter and that he wouldnt care the least about her. Capulets sudden eruption from concerned Juliets father into someone who didnt care the least about her shows his unkind and vile behaviours which Shakespeare uses as one of the strings to hold the ancient fued. As of this Juliet status and domination in the situation is no comparison to Capulets and so her voice is not heard during the conflicting argument. This also explains why as the Nurse and Lady Capulet defend on Juliets behalf their views were not taken into account. Western society no longer categorises fixed or arranged marriages as a norm. It accounts on mainly culture and belief in todays day and age. A girl in Juliets situation now would flee though in Shakespeares day that was not an option. So Juliet has to ask the Nurse for advice and help which would different for a modern audience. From what modern society does hold about arranged marriages is the desperateness of the girl in the situation when the marriage is not accepted and the talk of self-harm and even suicide comes to play. This would not be that different to watch for a modern audience. In Act III Scene IV the conflict is also developed by the actors every move. Directing the scene would involve make every move of the characters the right one. Tone, volume and language would play a part if conducted correctly. The language, tone and volume of high-status characters (such as Capulet) are very rhythmic, clear and his use of poetic language all characterise him. He would be seen towering over Juliet, Lady Capulet and the Nurse to show just the reign over status. The Nurse, very different in a status match against Capulet, would likely to have a murmured speech and would be out of the way in most conversation. Juliet may be on her knees or sat down uncomfortably when the conflict with her father begins. Lady Capulet and female characters in general are lower to the ground to further emphasise this. To the end, a Romeo and Juliet act without the conflict discussed has no story. Love has the foundation which conquers all literally. The play would still appeal to a modern audience as it has the element of both comparison and surprise, which will always make this love-hate story a truly special one. Show preview only