Romeo and Juliet essay

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Coursework

How is the theme of conflict portrayed in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo and Juliet; not just a love story. It involves tragedy and conflict between the two different families; Montagues and Capulets. The play was written by Shakespeare, and he was known for his tragedies.

As the prologue sets the scene for the play it shows that there is conflict when it says “ancient grudge” which shows that the two families have been feuding for a long time and “New mutiny” is a new conflict that is rebelling against the law in their fair city Verona.

“Civil blood makes civil hands unclean” continues to explain all the conflict about to take place in the play. It means that there has been killings and sacrifices towards innocent people, in order to continue their feud.

“Fatal loins” means that Romeo and Juliet were destined to die from the moment they were conceived from their own parents and “two foes” means “sworn enemies”.

“A pair of star-crossed lovers” means that they are from two different families, destined to be together and “Death-mrk’d love is that Romeo and Juliet, not only have die together, but they have to die because of their love, when the conflict of their families continues.

As the prologue comes to an end it says “thee of you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.” This indicates that the play is about to start, and all the strife and conflict, the feud with the families will be acted out, and all to the death of their beloved Romeo and Juliet.

In Act 1/1 conflict is shown between Sampson and Gregory. They are the servants of the Capulet family, and they are showing conflict to each other, because they are basically practicing an argument for when the Montagues come past, as they are standing outside on the street. “The quarrel is between our Masters and us, their men” means that the feud is between the Montagues and the Capulets, so they should feud to help the families if they continue to fight.

“I will show myself a Tyrant” shows that they should insult the Montagues and “Draw they tool” means draw his weapon to fight the Montagues.

The next quote means that they will not take insults. “We’ll not carry coals.” I think he says this in an angry way, to prove his point, and even though they are servants “carrying coal” means that they won’t take any insults, and won’t back out of fights. They are in the mood for the conflict to happen, they want to fight to show they are men.

As the play goes onto the next section of this act, the conflict continues as the Montagues walk in.

As Sampson says “My naked weapon is out” it uses personification, as he has drawn his sword and is prepared to fight and kill if necessary and the word ‘naked’…