Comparison Of Gangs In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

The story, No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare, is a story of star crossed lovers who kill themselves because of their families. Their families are rivals because of the hatred and violence towards one another. They often resemble rival gangs in present day that fight over signs, revenge, and territory. The actions of gangs and the events in Romeo and Juliet are almost the same even with the hundreds of years difference. Both rival gangs and the Montagues and Capulets result in violent revenge when something happens to their “family.” In Romeo and Juliet, “Tybalt of the Capulet family kills Mercutio, of the Montague family. As an act of anger and avengement, Romeo of the Montagues kills Tybalt as well.”(Act lll, Scene 1). A member of the Montague family was killed by a Capulet

Gangs have certain territories that they claim for their gang. If a rival gang comes on another gang's territory, it will result into a bloodbath with shots being fired and many fights. This is because that is their gang’s side and a sign of disrespect to them. In Act 1, Scene 5, Romeo goes to a Capulet party. Tybalt tries to kill him over hatred for the Montagues. Tybalt says, “Uncle, this man is a Montague—our enemy. He’s a scoundrel who’s come here out of spite to mock our party.” This quote shows that just like gangs, Tybalt was upset that his family enemy was at their party. He wanted to kill Romeo because he was a Montague that come to his “territory” and was being disrespectful to his family name. In Act 3, Scene 5, “Romeo is in Juliet’s bedroom. They hear the nurse coming and Romeo has to hide.” Romeo has to hide from the nurse who works for the Capulets because he is in their house. He would be killed if the Capulets found him on their “territory”. Rival gangs act in the same manner as the Montagues and Capulets do when another side comes on their