Throughout the interactions of the characters, it is evident that vengeance drives the plot. Consequently, there must be a resolution to the feuding and recoil, leading to an end after the thrilling climax. The first factor fueling revenge is the ancient grudge between the Capsules and the Montagues, which intriguingly remains unexplained in the play. This ancient grudge is the initial reason for the two families’ first dispute on the streets of Verona.
Two households, both equal in status, reside in the beautiful city of Verona. A longstanding feud between them transforms into a fresh outbreak of violence, leading to harm and bloodshed. (Prologue) Nevertheless, Romeo and Mercuric, taking advantage of the chaos, decide to attend the masked party hosted by the Caplets. Unfortunately, Romeo’s easily recognizable voice exposes their presence, leading to their discovery by Table. Capsule advises against confronting Romeo and spoiling the festivities, which humiliates Table. This incident fuels his desire to handle the situation himself, planning to deal with Romeo and Mercuric at a later time while his anger progressively intensifies.
Table This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. Capsule Am I the master here, or you? Go to. You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!… Well said, my hearts! You are a prince; go: Be quiet, or–More light, more light! For shame! I’ll make you quiet. What, cheerily, my hearts! (1. 5) After the intrusion of the Montagues on the masked party and the first civil brawl, the desire for revenge increases within each character, especially Table. Eventually, this leads to the untimely death of Mercutio. In his last moments, Mercutio plots revenge on both families.
Why did you come between us, you devil? I was injured under your arm… Please help me into a house, kind-hearted person, or I will faint. Both of your houses are cursed! They have turned me into food for worms – I have been seriously harmed. Both of your houses! (3.1) Mercuric does take revenge on both families because Romeo is soon banished after killing Mercuric. Table is also killed, which adds to the series of unfortunate events that happen in the lives of both families. In order to avenge the death of his friend Americium, Romeo murders Table, who is now his relative.
Now, Table, take the villain back again, That late thou agaves me;for Americium’s soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thin to keep him company: Either thou, or l, or both, must go with him.(3.1)
After Romeo eliminates Table, the people of Verona attempt to seek vengeance for the ongoing feuds between the Montagues and Capulets on the city’s streets, as it disrupts the peace. They inquire about the location of Mercuric’s killer, Table. Benevolent responds by informing them that Table was the first to threaten and kill Mercuric. Consequently, Romeo decides to seek his own revenge. A jealous thrust from Table injures Mercuric, who later dies. Table then flees but returns to Romeo shortly after he has planned his retaliation. They engage in a rapid fight, and before I am able to intervene, Table is slain. As he falls, Romeo turns and flees. I swear this is the truth, or let me die. (3.1)
Soon after, Lady Capulet seeks her own revenge for Romeo’s murder of her relative. She pleads with the Prince to hold Romeo accountable for killing Table. She believes Romeo is lying due to his affiliation with the Montagues and her longstanding grudge against them. Lady Capulet argues that around twenty individuals were involved in this violent conflict, yet only one life was taken. She begs the Prince for justice that he must provide.Romeo killed Tybalt, and now he must not live. This fight is the second one that the Prince strictly forbids. As a result, the Prince decides to punish these pointless fights and seeks revenge on Romeo for causing trouble in Verona and disrupting the peace. He decides to exile Romeo right away. I have an interest in your ongoing hatred. My blood boils with anger over your violent brawls. But I will punish you with such a heavy fine that you will all regret the loss of mine. In response to his exile, Romeo threatens to kill himself in Friar Lawrence’s cell. Friar Lawrence tries to calm him down, leading to a humiliating conversation for Romeo as the Friar seeks revenge for Romeo’s threats and complains about the banishment. Are you a man? Your appearance suggests you are. Your tears are feminine, and your wild actions reveal the unreasonable fury of an animal. You appear as an inappropriate woman in the guise of a man. Upon hearing about Romeo’s banishment, Juliet becomes distressed and locks herself in her room.
Old Capsule talks to Paris about her change of heart and discusses the wedding arrangements with him. But when Capsule informs Juliet about the impending marriage, Juliet refuses to marry Paris. This angers Capsule, who explodes in a fit of rage and decides to curse and threaten Juliet for not accepting the marriage proposal. “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! Let me tell you this: go to the church on Thursday or never dare to face me again. Don’t speak, don’t reply, don’t answer me; I feel the urge to harm you.”
The wife and I never imagined we were blessed by having only one child. But now it seems that one child is too much for us, and we curse the fact that we have her. It’s outrageous how she is holding us back. This is Caplet’s way of getting revenge for Gullet’s refusal to marry Paris and wasting all the effort put into the wedding. This incident leads to yet another retaliation. Juliet asks her once faithful nurse to help delay the wedding, but surprisingly, the nurse suggests that Juliet marry Paris instead, as she believes he would be a better husband than Romeo.
Juliet is determined not to betray Romeo by marrying Paris, and in retaliation, she scorns the nurse for suggesting this and refusing to help delay the wedding. She calls the nurse a wicked fiend and wonders if it is worse to wish her to be unfaithful or to speak ill of Romeo when she has praised him so many times before. Juliet tells the nurse to leave and declares that from now on, they will be separate. She plans to seek the friar’s advice and if all else fails, she has the power to end her own life.
In response to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris, she fakes her death in order to be able to secretly reunite with Romeo in Mantua. Her death serves as revenge against her parents for forcing her to marry Paris and threatening her with banishment. Juliet declares that she would rather die than marry Paris, even if it means jumping off a tower or living a life of thievery or hiding among snakes or being chained with roaring bears. She is willing to do anything without fear or doubt in order to remain faithful to Romeo.
As a result of Juliet’s death, her parents are devastated and are unable to experience the happiness they had hoped for in the marriage, as depicted in the final scenes of the play.The Prince addresses both families, outlining the repercussions of their long-standing animosity. Ultimately, the cycle of revenge reaches its conclusion, as the Prince takes it upon himself to punish both families for the death of Mercutio and all the grievances endured.
The enemies’ whereabouts? -Capsule, Montague. Observe the consequence of your hatred: heaven deviously brings love to ruin your happiness. And I, by turning a blind eye to your conflicts, have lost two relatives. Everyone is being punished. (5. 3) Revenge is the driving force behind the intricate storyline in Romeo and Juliet. It sets in motion events that would otherwise never occur, and establishes a tense atmosphere as well as numerous other themes and morals woven into the play.
However, the ageless vengeance in Romeo and Juliet can only be halted when both families’ children die. Unfortunately, this leads to many others suffering the vile consequences of revenge. The central idea of the play exemplifies how malevolence can ultimately result in drastic encounters, eclipsing other important events in the lives of those affected by the discord. Sadly, in Romeo and Juliet, these conflicts and menacing threats were resolved too late and only after the devastating loss of each family’s child.
