More handpicked essays just for you.
The theme of violence in Romeo and Juliet
How does shakespeare present violence in romeo and juliet
Violence and aggression in Romeo and Juliet
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Attitudes to Violence in Act 3 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Violent plays have always been popular throughout history. As humans it is in our nature to like violent plays, stories, sports or hobbies. Some cultures include violent celebrations like bullfighting in Spain; others enjoy violence in the form of sports like boxing and wrestling. In the past there was limited forms of entertainment, In Rome they had gladiators fight man-eating lions and in England they had fox hunting. Shakespeare used this love of violence to create masterpiece play, which were wither comedies and tragedies, both where just as gripping and gory as each other. These thrilling performances where adored by the Shakespearian audience because they were complete with romance, violence and comical humour. Violence in general is popular both now and in the past because audiences enjoy horrific battles and are elated by these exhilarating performances. So far in the play the prince has warned the Montagues and the Capulets that any more fighting will lead to serious consequences. “If ever disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” This means that anymore fighting and the culprits will pay with their lives. That was the only fight scene so far. After the fight Benvolio confronts Romeo about his sadness. Later in the play the Capulets hold and extravagant party where Romeo falls in love with Juliet (but they were spotted by Tybalt gate crashing the party). After the party Romeo goes to Juliet’s balcony and immerse in a deep conversation and the next day they are helped by Friar Lawrence into marriage. In Act 3 Scene 1, a fierce battle between Tybalt and Mercutio. Romeo tries to break up the fights Tybalt is now Romeo’s cousin by marriage. Romeo steps between them Tybalt, who is shielded by Romeo, wounds Mercutio and flees the battle. Romeo is fuelled by revenge by the death of Mercutio, goes to avenge his friend’s loss by tracking down Tybalt. “Alive, in triumph! And Mercutio slain!
Thought the play, these lovers go through many obstacles that range from arranging a wedding and finding a time to meet to Juliet trying to get out of marrying Paris. The entire time fate is tossing them around. Romeo realizes this after he kills Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, in a brawl. At first, Romeo does not want to fight because Romeo and Juliet are already married at this time and he knows that they are cousins. Tybalt asks for a brawl from Romeo but Mercutio fights instead. Mercutio gets killed by Tybalt and that is what makes Romeo mad and fight Tybalt.
Romeo senses tensions are high with Tybalt, so he states, “I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise.” (Lines 65-66 Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is trying to diffuse the situation because he realizes that Tybalt is his love's cousin. Mercutio is surprised by Romeo’s behavior, so he decides to fight Tybalt himself. Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt leads to his own death. Romeo is angered by the death of Mercutio and states, “Now, Tybalt, take the “villain" back again/ That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” (Lines 123-124 of Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is indicating that Tybalt is the villain now, because he slayed Mercutio. Romeo forgets about his attempt to befriend the Capulets and slays Tybalt. Romeo, murderer of Tybalt, solely focuses on Juliet and states “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death"/For exile hath more terror in his look.” (Lines 12-13 of Act Three, Scene Three). Romeo does not care about Tybalt’s life, but only cares for the way it affects his relationship with Juliet. Romeo’s mother dies out of grief because of his banishment. Romeo’s recklessness in loving Juliet has led to the death of three
In the Shakespearean play, Romeo & Juliet, aggression is represented in different ways by the different characters in the play. Tybalt, Romeo, Benvolio, and the others all have their own way of dealing with hate and anger. Some do nothing but hate while others can’t stand to see even the smallest of quarrels take place.
When asked by Benvolio to make peace in the streets, Tybalt bluntly responds,” talk of peace, I hate the word. As I hate hell all Montagues.” This is the attitude of Tybalt throughout the play. He believes he is doing all for the best and uses violence as his tool. He gets angry at the ball with Romeo being there, “villain as a guest,” and believes it best to defend his family’s honor by later taking revenge. When Tybalt finds Romeo, he thinks it best to fight him and when he ends up killing Mercutio he believes he has done his duty by causing Romeo the same hurt he has brought Tybalt, “the injuries that thou hast done me.”
Fear and Tension in Act IV Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "Romeo and Juliet" was first performed around 1595 on a bare stage without any sets, with only a trap door and discovery room. The fact that there were no sets meant that Shakespeare had to create fear and tension in what the characters would say, not through decorative sets. The audience would stand in front of the uncovered stage. The play is set in Verona in Italy, where two families of equal class lived: the Capulets and the Montagues. These two families were strong
As already shown, both Romeo and Juliet are horrified to discover that they were family enemies. Despite of this, they both choose to devote their love for eachother. Given this point, it is unrequited love that brings Romeo and Juliet together. But this also means that they would have to get over the fact that their families hate each other. This eventually leads them to forgiving the rival family for all the hateful acts that have occurred against one another. This is not the only forgiveness that is experienced in this play. Tybalt is a Montague with a fiery attitude. After catching Romeo at a party he was not supposed to be at, Tybalt had it out for Romeo. Just after Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, Tybalt comes looking for him wanting to fight. Romeo does not want to fight because he now loves Tybalt since he is family to him, but neither Tybalt or anyone else knows this reason. Quickly Mercutio steps in and tells Tybalt that he will fight him in honour of Romeo. Sadly this leads to the death of Mercutio. Romeo is angry and in need of revenge, which creates an intense fight between Tybalt and Romeo. Romeo wins this battle, killing Tybalt. He leaves in a hurry, only to discover that he would be banished from Verona. The death of Tybalt is absolutely devastating to Juliet. Her cousin was murdered by her husband. But she did not hesitate to forgive Romeo, she did so right away. She knew that Romeo had a reason for this incident and decides to
After killing Mercutio, Tybalt’s inflated confidence and rising aggression leads him to fight his new, unknown cousin, Romeo. Consequently, Tybalt plants his own seed of fate with his aggression. Due to self-defense, Romeo kills Tybalt and then gets banished for his actions by the Prince. This marks the beginning of the end for Romeo and Juliet’s love. It presents the biggest challenge for the star-crossed lovers because it is their separation, and due to the strong love they are too young to handle, they self-destruct, both committing suicide.
When Romeo is with Juliet at the start of the scene the mood is happy because Romeo is spending his wedding night with Juliet. Then the scene gradually goes into a bit of confusion, when Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is upset because of the death of her cousin Tybalt when she actually upset because Romeo has left. Then the scene becomes violent when Juliet tells her mother that she is not going to Paris. Capulet steps in at this point and becomes extremely angry with Juliet. At this point tension starts to build up.
The first reason why the play is a traditional tragedy is that the hero, Romeo, possesses a major flaw which leads him into much trouble and eventually his demise: his fiery, impetuous nature. In one of the many brawls between the Capulets and the Montagues, Romeo displays his rashness. In this encounter, Tybalt and Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend, joke around as they are dueling, but the duel takes a turn for the worse when Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo, devastated by the death of his best friend and hell-bent on avenging it, challenges Tybalt to a duel. Romeo kills Tybalt out of anger and is banished from Verona, separated from his love Juliet. The punishment does not fit the crime, but it cannot be denied that Romeo brought it upon himself. He acknowledges his own rash behavior by saying, “Oh, I am fortune’s fool!” (III, i, 99). If he could have controlled his temper, the whole fight would have been avoided. Not only is Romeo impulsive in battles...
...ay, Shakespeare might have used violence for entertainment purposes especially to those people who enjoy horror movies. But he still wanted to create logic in the play.
Because the love between the young couple is so powerful, they go to Friar Lawrence and they are secretly married. On the day of their marriage Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, challenges Romeo to a duel. In the midst of all this chaos, Romeo's best friend, Mercutio, is murdered by Tybalt. Romeo then slays Tybalt out of revenge. When the prince of Verona finds out what Romeo has done, he banishes Romeo from Verona forever.
The Dramatic Significance of Act III Scene I of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The most visual form of chaos is physical violence. The beginning of the play itself, involves the two families, the Capulets and Montagues, threatening each other, insulting each other and creating turmoil in the town. The magnitude of hostility between them is clearly evident when the Prince of Verona proclaims them as, “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace.” This violence intensifies as the play goes on leading to the massacre of two loved ones; Mercutio, by Tybalt’s sword under Romeo’s arm and Tybalt, slain by Romeo with anger sparked by revenge. A “plague on both of your houses,” curses Mercutio as he dies. The climax finally busts when Friar Lawrence’s prophesy comes true, “These violent delights have violent ends.” This violence doesn’t only derive from the chaos between the families, but among the families themselves. The families are caught up with their rivalries that the relationship between the parents and the children are torn apart. In the beginning of the play, it took long for Romeo’s parents to find out that he has gone missing but didn’t show much concern when they found out that he did. In fact, the nurse has a much closer connection to Juliet th...
... middle of paper ... ... In act three, scene one, Romeo sacrifices his romance with Juliet by ending her cousin, Tybalt’s life after Tybalt did the same to Romeo’s close friend, Mercutio, in a fight. Love is not something that one should decide to risk for revenge on their love’s cousin.
After the wedding, Romeo runs into Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, who hates him. They engage in a duel, and Romeo kills Tybalt. He fled the scene of the crime. Later, he discovers from Friar Lawrence that rather than executing him for murder, the Prince of Verona has declared that he be banished forever. Instead of being relieved and grateful, Romeo laments his fate and claims that he would rather be dead than be separated from his dear Juliet.