Essay on Theme of Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

📌Category: Plays, Romeo and Juliet
📌Words: 945
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 29 June 2022

Romeo and Juliet, a classic tragedy written by William Shakespeare, is about two star-crossed lovers stuck in a rivalry between two families, but take drastic measures to save a relationship that was never meant to be. Throughout the play, there are several moments that make the reader want to accuse a character for the untimely death of the protagonists. However, not all these characters were punished as the readers would prefer. Even if most of them were indirectly guilty, they deserve to be punished for letting the conflict progress.

Furthermore, some characters directly portrayed a negative character, easily making themselves look guilty. To continue, even being a bystander at crucial moments is a crime worse than partaking in it. Like this, there are so many doubtful things the characters in Romeo and Juliet did to be punished. Thus, these characters should be subject to harsh punishment for their crimes, and can never be pardoned.

Evidently, Friar Lawrence is deemed worthy of punishment after helping Romeo and Juliet’s relationship progress in secret, despite the potential consequences. Friar Lawrence decided to officiate Romeo and Juliet’s marriage despite knowing how much trouble it could bring them in the future. Although he was a bit reluctant at first, confused as to how Romeo just changed his love interest from Rosaline to Juliet, he still gave in at last. He agreed with a hope that both families would reconcile and end the feud once and for all, for the sake of their children. When Romeo asks the Friar to officiate his marriage, Friar Laurence says, “O, she knew well. / Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell. / But come, young waverer, come, go with me. / In one respect I'll thy assistant be, / For this alliance may so happy prove, / To turn your households' rancor to pure love” (Shakespeare II.iii.87b-92). This quote is said mere moments after the Friar had told Romeo that he was progressing too quickly in this endeavor. Not too long after, the Friar has a change of heart and decides to marry them. Now, it is not that he believes in their love that he chose to accept this proposal but instead, for his own reasons. He wishes to end the feud between the families using their marriage as a way to do so. And so, Friar Lawrence is to be punished for allowing them to rush an important stage of their lives. He should have considered the bigger picture of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, and the consequences that could follow.

Without a doubt, Lady Capulet failed in her responsibilities as Juliet’s mother. Lord Capulet had decided that Juliet and Count Paris would be married in hopes of ‘cheering her up’  the loss of her cousin, Tybalt. Lady Capulet announced this news to Juliet,  who was clearly not overjoyed. Lady Capulet neither reasons with her in a motherly manner nor tries to understand her feelings. Instead, She tells Juliet  to deal with it herself, making no effort to comfort and console her. Lady Capulet says, “Here comes your father; tell him so yourself, / And see how he will take it at your hands” (Shakespeare III.v. 124-125). This quote takes place during the scene where Lady Capulet reveals the news of Juliet getting married to Romeo. As expected Juliet does not take the news well because she is already married to Romeo. No one knows about this. This quote proves how insignificant Lady Capulet finds her role as Juliet’s mother. After Juliet evidently rejects the prospect of marriage, Lady Capulet neither tries to talk her into marriage or understand the true reason behind her refusal. She decides to end the discussion right there and leave it to Lord Capulet. She wants no part in Juliet’s sorrows. Lady Capulet should be punished not because she has done anything but rather it is for not doing anything at all. She was rather passive about Juliet’s life, not really wanting to be a part of it.

Continuing on, Tybalt is a very aggressive character in the book, known for being impulsive and quite effective in provoking the Montagues. In a fight, Tybalt kills Romeo’s dear friend. This causes a chain of actions to occur. Romeo’s banishment follows after, Tybalt’s murder. Tybalt even brought the worst out of Romeo who talked about bringing peace. The culprit is Tybalt’s taunts, which sometimes manage to pierce through their resistance to not fight. Tybalt says, “ Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries / That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw” (Shakespeare lll.i. 65-66). Tybalt is instigating Romeo to fight with him for crashing the Capulet Party. The excuses he talks about are Romeo’s attempts to make peace with him. Although Romeo did no damage at the party, Tybalt’s ego is brutally hurt if he just lets Romeo off the hook without a fight. This is what he actually means by saying “injuries.” The fact that calls Romeo a “boy” despite being around the same age is an insult to get Romeo mad. Then, he calls him for a fight directly to heal the “injuries” he suffered. Tybalt clearly shows that he is very aggressive, violent, and mostly effective at provoking people into fights. Tybalt is very much guilty for adding fuel to the fire of enmity many times. His provocation brought the worst out of even the ones who kept away from the feud. His aggressive nature brought this misfortune.

Therefore, intelligibly everyone can be accused and held accountable for the tragic losses that could have been prevented. In some characters, there was clear negativity, and it is not surprising if they end up creating conflict. Certain characters chose to spectate the growth of conflict rather than be an active participant. Others did small, supposedly harmless things that almost went unnoticed by the audience. In the end, every character did something whether it be creating the conflict or allowing them to walk further along a path that knowingly would have a dead end. In this play, Romeo and Juliet, readers can see different ways the author tries to bring conflict using the characters.

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