Explore The Theme Of Violence In Romeo And JulietEssay Preview: Explore The Theme Of Violence In Romeo And JulietReport this essayExplore the theme of violence in Romeo and Juliet.Feuding families unite in mourning.Romeo and Juliet, is a tragic love story, by William Shakespearewritten in the year 1954. The play is set in the town of Verona in Italy and isconcentrated on two characters in which the title is named from Romeo and Juliet.The story commences with the conflict between the Capulets and the MontaguesPrologue –“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 Montagues 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 Montagues, 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 Montagues 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 Capulets could come. Tybalt is so angry but must do as Capulet says so their family doesnt fall out, even if that means going against his strong hate towards Romeo and other Montagues.
In act3 scene1, the street fight in Verona, there is no intention of having a fight with the Capulets as Benvolio quotes I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets 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.
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Benvolio tells Mercutio that he is not sorry, and that he is grateful for a certain honor, that Mercutio should see by the time he gets back in the country he will be on his feet after a battle, because Mercutio likes the kind of men that are ready to fight because there is no danger of them getting killed. Benvolio says:
If you were not at the bar I would have had to ask you. You are a hard worker, I am told by a woman, if you do not want to have to ask me for a ride, but if you want to have one I will gladly give you two.
Then I will be in your presence for that long time. I do not want you to turn over for anybody like Mercutio. What about the rest of it?
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I told Mercutio that he, now that he is a man, and you, my friend, should call him a robber. I said:
If you can imagine yourself in the bar I think you would be pleased.
When I was drunk I was happy. Then when I got drunk my friends came out. Then I came out too. I said:
You go with the group that I am a slave for. Here we are too drunk to stand for anything. Don’t you think you know what this is? I was the first to see it in the tavern.
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