Discuss the ways that Shakespeare presents the theme of conflict in “Romeo and Juliet”
Act III iii
This scene happens immediately after Romeo has married Juliet. It consists of a public brawl and the death of two main characters who are Tybalt and Mercutio. Also the love that Romeo and Juliet have for each other. Romeo is in a conflict with himself because Tybalt has challenged him to a dual but Romeo cannot accept because they are now both related. “Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, and in my temper and softened valour’s steel!” This quotation shows Romeo’s inner conflict, simply because of his love for Juliet has made him disrespect his family honour.
“Tybalt the reason I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain I am non; therefore farewell, I see thou knowest me not.” This shows Romeo still respects his family honour but he has no choice to go against it simply because he and Tybalt are now related.
The characters in this scene are; Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio and Benvolio. Mercutio and Tybalt are the two main characters of this scene because of their desire to cause conflict. However Romeo does not want to fight, this shows his attitudes towards the feud has changed; showing his inner self conflict. He says: “I am fortune’s fool” which shows he is fighting against himself. The line “O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate” shows that Romeo has changed his views because he has married Juliet. “Tybalt, the reason I have to love thee” shows that Romeo now feels he cannot fight against Tybalt, even though he his going against his family honour.
The language shown in this scene shows conflict; “the day is hot and we shall not escape a brawl”, “Quarrel”, “For one would not kill the other” these are all phrases that imply fighting and conflict, like the majority of this scene.
After reading the scene, we are immediately drawn into one of the main themes of the play, Disorder. The other themes covered in the.
