Conformity In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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The decision of pursuing personal desire or choosing to conform is a conflict that every person in life experiences. In his play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare portrayed that the aforementioned conflict was existent in everyone’s life, and, depending upon what they chose, there would be corresponding repercussions. Shakespeare displays this conflict when the protagonist, Romeo, attends the ball, marries Juliet, and kills Tybalt.

Although he knew it was not wise to attend the Capulet ball, Romeo chose to do so anyway, carrying out his personal desire. “Romeo: And we mean well in going to this mask; But ’tis no wit to go.” (Act 1, scene 4, line 48-49). He was expected by his family to conform to the centuries of feuding with the Capulets, but he instead sought out the Capulet daughter, thus fulfilling his lust. In order to do this, he had to wear a mask to hide his …show more content…

Deeper down, however, the author demonstrated that sometimes when one does not conform to the social norm, but rather follows his own desires, they potentially cause a shift in the norm. Although it may have undesired consequences for the person in the short term, there may be benefits to society in the long run. It is through individuals following their own desires that society can be shaped. Shakespeare displayed this motif when the protagonist attended the Capulet ball, married Juliet, and when he killed Tybalt. The author demonstrates that when one commits an act of non-conformance, others will inevitably follow, though they may cause further repercussions. As these repercussions accumulate, it requires a change in the societal norm to eradicate

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