Explore The Theme Of Violence In Romeo And Juliet

Explore the theme of violence in Romeo and Juliet.

Feuding families unite in mourning.

'Romeo and Juliet', is a tragic love story, by William Shakespeare

written in the year 1954. The play is set in the town of Verona in Italy and is

concentrated on two characters in which the title is named from 'Romeo and Juliet'.

The story commences with the conflict between the Capulet's and the Montague's

Prologue -

"Two households, both alike in dignity, in Fair Verona, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean"

The immense grudge between both households is apparent straight from the beginning.

Although violence is very apparent throughout Romeo and Juliet, violence is shown in also a subtle and unspoken way.

In the opening scene it starts off with Sampson and Gregory who are from the Capulet household using violent words in a sexual way, speaking amongst each other, Sampson replies to Gregory 'Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads' meaning taking the Montague's maids virginity. Still in act1 scene1 Tybalt says a very important line which is 'What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montague's, and thee: Have at thee, coward! I think it gives the audience the right prospective of Tybalt as he is a violent, non-negotiable character and as hell is portrayed as a sinful, abominable, place, so therefore Tybalt is basically saying he would never be civil with a member of the Montague's for they are the enemy. In act1 scene5, lines 53-91, the ballroom scene. Capulet is angry at Tybalt for wanting to fight with Romeo. This part of the scene is not immensely violent but brings out more of Tybalts angry character. For example Tybalt says 'Tis he, that villain Romeo.' To which Capulet replies 'Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone.' Which shows that Capulet is trying to keep the peace at the party by letting Romeo stay, as it was an open invite party to which certain Capulet's could come. Tybalt is so angry but must do as Capulet says so their family doesn't fall out, even if that means going against his strong hate towards Romeo and other Montague's.

In act3 scene1, the street fight in Verona, there is no intention of having a fight with the Capulet's as Benvolio quotes 'I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, and, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl; for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

Benvolio is obviously worried that there is going to be a fight and he tries to persuade Mercutio to get away from the streets, saying in these hot days people will become angry and hot-blooded and not back down. Mercutio accuses Benvolio of being scared to fight. 'Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table, and says 'god send me no need of thee'; and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.' By saying this Mercutio means that Benvolio is like the type of men that slam their swords down on the table and pray to never use it in a violent manner. Soon Benvolio is feeling highly irate and soon spots the capulets 'By my head, here comes the Capulets.'

Tybalt comes looking for Romeo and soon Mercutio starts taunting Tybalt, at first Tybalt tries to ignore Mercutio as it is Romeo he is looking for. Benvolio tries telling them to get out of sight of people as they'll all be punished if anything was to commence. Soon Romeo is spotted and yet refuses to fight Tybalt because they are officially family because of his marriage to Juliet. Romeo shows us in this scene that his love for Juliet is so strong he is even willing to love his enemy Tybalt. Because of this Mercutio says to Romeo and then Tybalt 'O calm dishonourable, vile submission! 'Alla stoccata' carries it away. Tybalt, you rat catcher, will you walk with me?' This shows us that Mercutio seems to want to fight with Tybalt. They draw. And as Romeo tries to break them up, Tybalt reaches under Romeo's arm and stabs Mercutio. Mercutio is dead. In this part of the scene, you see Romeo's violent, vicious side of him as he starts fighting with Tybalt even though he is family and knowing that his actions will hurt Juliet, rage and anger takes over him and at full force Romeo beats down and kills Tybalt.

In Friar Lawrence's cell. Romeo finds out that he is to be banished for killing Tybalt. He is distraught at this thought and tells the friar that being banished is the same as death to him. Without Juliet he is nothing. 'There is no world without the Verona walls.' By saying this he is telling us he would use violence on himself if he had to go without his beloved Juliet. This may not be interoperated as violence as such, but maybe violent love, as we witness now that Romeo would do anything and everything for Juliet even die for his love for her.

In act3 scene 5, lines 103 - end, Juliet's bedroom. When Juliet's mother enters the room and sees her tears she assumes they are for the deceased Tybalt. But little does Lady Capulet know that Romeo has just bidding farewell to his sweet wife. So she tells Juliet to stop grieving the most important feature of Juliet's