Various types of conflict exist, typically involving either an individual struggling with their own inner struggles, conflicts between individuals, or conflicts between individuals and the natural world. It is essential for every story to incorporate conflict at least on one of these levels, as it breathes life into the plot and keeps the audience engaged. Characters must experience conflict in order to achieve a happy ending; otherwise, the happy ending holds no significance. In Romeo and Juliet, the primary conflict revolves around the ongoing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. Members of each family harbor hatred, exchange insults, and engage in fights with one another. This rivalry even extends to the household staff who become entangled in the animosity.
The essay will examine the presence of conflict in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, despite its reputation as a love story. The Prologue, a fourteen-line sonnet, serves as an introduction to the play and was likely read to the audience. Its function goes beyond setting the scene; it explicitly reveals the plot of the story, referring to the protagonist lovers as “star-crossed.”.
In Elizabethan times, the belief was that stars controlled people’s destinies, and this belief is reflected in the play through the Prologue. The Prologue reveals the fate of Romeo and Juliet – that they will die – and also hints at the resolution of their parents’ feud through their tragic deaths. Shakespeare employs a technique called ‘dramatic irony’ throughout the play, which keeps the audience engaged and creates tension. Additionally, the Prologue introduces various themes and imagery including love, conflict, time, fate, life, death, and power, bringing these themes to life in the play.
The text emphasizes the concept of dualism, specifically by using the word ‘two’ multiple times throughout the 14 lines. This repetition of ‘two’ serves to highlight the opposing sides in the conflict. Additionally, Shakespeare employs oxymorons or contradictory word pairs to further underscore the clash between two factions: Montagues and Capulets, love and hate. The Prologue contains the first instance of an oxymoron, stating that “From forth the ‘fatal loins’ of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.” Here, ‘fatal’ conveys death while ‘loins’ suggests birth, implying that the offspring of these mortal enemies were destined for demise.
Romeo’s initial speech features a total of nine oxymorons, further emphasizing opposing forces. He speaks of his affection for Rosalie, highlighting how love and hate have intertwined, evoking imagery of chaos and confusion. Through a sequence of oxymorons, he communicates his conflicted state of mind, using phrases such as “Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health” (1:1:171). This statement suggests that he is prepared to experience love rather than actually being in love. In the Prince’s concluding speech, an additional oxymoron is present: “gloaming peace.” It represents a somber form of peace, saddened by the fact that Romeo and Juliet have taken their own lives but offering tranquility as it signifies the end of the feud.
These oxymoron’s serve to reinforce the major theme of conflict. The opening scene exposes the depths and severity of the feud between the Capsules and Montages. Shakespeare initiates this with banter between Sampson and Gregory, using the technique of ‘word-play’. They make crude, sexual innuendos about conquering Montague men and women. This sexual punning continues throughout the play, contrasting with the lyrical imagery used later by Romeo and Juliet to express their love.
The references made by the servants to a “tool” and a “naked weapon,” along with the recurring imagery of striking and thrusting, showcase the interconnectedness of love, sex, violence, and death. The abrupt transition from humorous banter between the servants to the potential for sudden death highlights the dynamic pace that propels the play’s action. Almost instantly, swords are unsheathed to engage the audience and command their attention. It becomes clear from the outset that the feud extends beyond just the masters and involves their servants as well. Gregory instructs Sampson to “Draw thy tool.”
Two members of the Montague family come forward (1 : 1: 31-28). The use of swordplay adds to the dramatic effect and serves as a reminder of the theme of conflict. The fight begins with Samson insulting the Montagues by biting his thumb at them (1 : 1:35). This gesture symbolizes the foolishness of the ongoing feud between the Capulets and Montagues. As each character is introduced, their contrasting personalities become evident. Benevolent, representing goodwill, acts as a peacemaker by stating, “I do but keep the peace” (1 : 1:59). On the other hand, Tybalt is hot-tempered and aggressive, dismissing the idea of peace with disdain (1:1:61). These strong words demonstrate the intensity of their hatred and the gravity of the conflict. Even the older individuals, such as Lord Capulet, desire to participate in the brawl by demanding his long sword (1 : 1 166). Lady Capulet mocks her husband’s eagerness by calling him a “wretch” and asking why he needs a sword (1 :67), creating tension between them. The Prince is furious and delivers his verdict, proclaiming, “hear the sentence of your moved Prince” (1 : 1 :79), which is death.
The text highlights that there have been three foolish brawls in Verona, referred to as “three civil brawls, bred of an airy word” (1). The people of Verona are exhausted from the ongoing fighting and even propose taking up their own weapons to end it. The audience is left in suspense, uncertain about what will happen next. Act 3, Scene 1 introduces two contrasting characters: Benevolent, the peace advocate, and Mercuric, who has a quick temper reflected in his name. It is evident that Mercuric is eager for a fight while Benevolent actively tries to avoid one. Benevolent expresses his belief that if they were to encounter each other, a brawl would be inevitable (3:1:3).
Both Table and Mercuric are depicted as powerful characters. When Table asks for a word, Mercuric responds, “make it a word and a blow,” (3:1 :35), immediately provoking Table. In an attempt to provoke Romeo, Table accuses him of being a villain. However, Shakespeare subtly employs dramatic irony in this scene as the audience knows that Romeo has just married Table’s cousin, Juliet, thereby creating a sense of tension. In the Elizabethan society, it was believed that a man who was too deeply in love would lose his manliness. Romeo explicitly acknowledges this belief by stating, “thy beauty hath made me effeminate” (3:1 : 105).
The statement once again presents a conflicting mix of emotions, juxtaposing the realm of love with the public sphere of honor, duty, and friends IP. The intense and deadly violence in this particular scene, along with its preceding tensions, serves as a reminder to the audience that despite its focus on love, beauty, and romance, Romeo and Juliet is set in the predominantly masculine Elizabethan era. The concepts of honor, pride, and social stature are bound to explode into a fierce clash. Shakespeare skillfully employs the element of brutality and peril as a means to heighten the perceived value and fragility of the lovers’ relationship.
The fights between Mercutio and Tybalt, and then between Romeo and Tybalt are chaotic. Tybalt kills Mercutio while Romeo watches. The audience feels sadness when Mercutio dies, as it seems that Tybalt acted dishonestly. Personally, I do not blame any character for Mercutio’s death; they all played their roles. Shakespeare uses a pun after Mercutio is stabbed, “you shall find me a grave man.” Mercutio knows he is dying but continues to make jokes. He curses both the Montagues and Capulets, mentioning a plague on both houses three times.
In Elizabethan times, the term “black death” would have been used to shock the audience. Romeo seeks revenge, claiming that one of them is going to die and that Americium’s soul is just a little above their heads (3:1:18). Shakespeare employs the language of revenge tragedy, wherein the main character is seeking revenge. Mercuric sees people as the cause of his death, rather than fate. On the other hand, Romeo blames fate for his banishment after killing Table. In his cry of “O, am fortune’s fool!” (3:1:127), Romeo suggests that what is happening is beyond his control, emphasizing the sense of fate in the play. Lady Capsule continues the theme of violence, demanding that Romeo be put to death. Act 3, Scene 5 introduces a different type of conflict: emotional conflict between light and dark, day and night. This goes against the norm, as light typically represents positivity, but here it brings sorrow. Juliet mistakes the lark for a nightingale, wishing it were still night. Romeo playfully argues with her, insisting that it is indeed the lark. Eventually, Juliet realizes that Romeo must leave. As they bid farewell to each other, they both have visions that clearly foreshadow the end of the play. This marks their final moment together before their demise.When Juliet catches sight of Romeo again, he will already be deceased. As she gazes out of her window, it appears to her that he is already lifeless. She exclaims, “Oh God, I have a foreboding soul!”
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“Oh God, I have a foreboding soul!”
It seems to me that I see you now, when you are so low, like a dead person in the bottom of a tomb. Once again, it suggests their fate. In the confrontation with her parents after Romeo’s departure, Juliet displays her maturity. She dominates the conversation with her mother, who is unaware that Juliet is professing her love for Romeo while saying the opposite. Shakespeare employs a technique called ‘quibble’ here, as Lady Capsule believes that Juliet is upset because of Tybalt’s death. “Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss,” again, another example of dramatic irony as the audience knows she is talking about Romeo and not Tybalt, adding to the dramatic effect. In this scene, Juliet uses ten double meanings, providing insight into her mastery of language. When she first sees her mother, Juliet says, “Madam, I am not well” (3:5:68). Once again, Lady Capsule assumes she is upset about Tybalt, but Juliet is referring to Romeo. The conflict of interest and the tension between parent and child are also evident in this scene where Juliet is informed that she must marry Paris and she does not want to.
Upon entering the room, Lord Capsule is met with the sound of Juliet’s tears, and one can imagine his tone to be that of a concerned father, saying, “How now! A conduit, girl? What, still in tears? (29)” Assuming her tears are for Table. However, upon learning that Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lord Capsule becomes furious, declaring, “hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, I’ll never acknowledge you” (3:5:192). His words evoke a storm-like image, one moment calm and the next exploding. This threatening statement would have been quite alarming to the audience, creating a sense of empathy towards Juliet.
Despite Juliet’s attempts to resist her father, she remains a woman in a society dominated by men. It may be tempting for Juliet to accept her father’s offer to disown her and live with Romeo, but that is not a feasible choice. Juliet is confined by the constraints of living in a Patriarchal Society, where her father holds the power to dictate her actions. The nurse tries to protect Juliet, but Lord Capsule’s cruel and sarcastic remarks create conflict between them.
The text highlights various conflicts in the play. Despite Lady Capsule’s attempt to calm her husband, she refuses to speak to Juliet. This introduces emotional conflict as Juliet is torn between her marriage to Romeo and her loyalty to her family. Furthermore, when the nurse suggests that she should marry Paris, Juliet sarcastically remarks on how much comfort she has received from her. This reflects the conflict between Juliet and the nurse, leaving Juliet feeling betrayed. Ultimately, these conflicts are centered around the ongoing feud between the Capsules and the Montagues.
The use of swordplay heavily emphasizes the theme of conflict in the play. The love between Romeo and Juliet exists within the context of the intense hatred generated by their feuding families. Despite being deep, passionate, and more powerful than death, their love is constantly surrounded by conflict. Examples of conflict include Romeo’s struggles with Tybalt, Mercutio fighting with Tybalt, and Juliet’s nurse. Additionally, the contrast between light and dark, day and night symbolizes different aspects. Darkness represents death, violence, and tragedy, while images of light represent love, life, and hope.
Throughout the play, there are various conflicts including inner conflict, emotional conflict, and love and hate conflict. These conflicts are noticed mainly with Romeo as he struggles between the world of love and the public world of honor, duty, and friendship. Juliet also experiences inner and emotional conflict with both her nurse and her father. Lord Capsule adds to the conflict by insulting Juliet and her nurse, showing a conflict of interest. Shakespeare uses techniques like oxymorons to enhance conflict throughout the play. Conflict is not only a crucial element in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet but also in all scripts even today. It adds tension and enables both sad and happy moments.
