Examples Of Violence In Romeo And Juliet

Violence, impulsiveness, anger. These are the three traits that all humans share, and that ultimately lead to their downfall. Throughout history, humans have evolved from animals into civilized humans, yet we still possess the primitive instinct solve problems through violence. William Shakespeare, a playwright, portrays civil humans in animalistic ways, as he uses violence to point out the evil within humans. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the use of violence highlights the fact that humans are inherently evil, as the characters impulsively use violence to vent anger, exact revenge, and defend honour.

Firstly, violence is used as a tool to vent anger. One prime example of this is that in the very first conversation of the play,

Sampson says, “I mean, and we be in choler, we’ll draw.” (I.i.3). Here, Sampson announces that if he becomes angry, he will draw his sword out. The very first conversation of the play highlights the fact that violence is a method to release anger. Another moment supporting this is during the street brawl, Capulet arrives and hollers,
“Capulet: What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
Lady Capulet: A crutch! A crutch! why call you for a sword?
Capulet: My sword I say! old Montague is come,
And flourishes his blade in spite of me.” (I.i.69-72).
Despite being elderly (Lady Capulet says he needs a crutch), Capulet still desires to fight to release his anger. This quote underlines that violence is instinctively used to release anger, no matter how young or old an individual is. Another scenario that shows that violence is the primary way of releasing anger is when Tybalt encounters Romeo in Capulet’s party and says, “This, by his voice, should be a Montague. / Fetch me my rapier, boy.” (I.v.53-54). Tybalt displays the human need to releasing anger, as in the presence of a Montague, he immediately turns to is his sword. As a result, through analyzing the actions of the characters, it becomes clear that humans rely primarily on violence as a way to vent anger.

In addition to venting anger, the characters use violence direct their anger into exacting revenge. This is evident when Tybalt finds Romeo in the streets, he says, “Boy, this shall not excuse injuries / That thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.” (III.i.63-64). Here, Tybalt is looking for Romeo as Romeo attended the party without an invitation, and instead of maturely speaking with Romeo, Tybalt seeks revenge and chooses to kill him. Another significant moment when violence is used to execute revenge is after Tybalt slays Mercutio, Romeo seeks vengeance and yells,
Again, in triumph, and Mercutio slain?
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And the fire-ey’d fury be my conduct now!
Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again
That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul
Is but a little way above our heads,
Staying for thine to keep him company:
Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” (III.i.118-125).
Here, not only does Romeo let anger consume him, but he challenges Tybalt to a fight. This is significant because earlier, he was desperately trying to avoid fighting Tybalt (because he is his cousin-in-law now), but wants to kill him now because of his desire to avenge Mercutio. Another example is after Romeo slain Tybalt, Lady Capulet tries to comfort Juliet by saying,
“We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not:
Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua,
Where that same banish’d runagate doth live,
Shall give him such an unaccustom’d dram
That he shall soon keep Tybalt company;” (III.v.87-91).
Here, Lady Capulet states that she will send a man to poison Romeo, as she is trying to comfort Juliet with the revenge of Tybalt’s death. This quote shows that not only are men violent, but all humans. Thus, violence is impulsively used for revenge, which creates a cycle of hatred and further conflict.

Lastly, violence is used throughout the play as method to protect honour. An example of this is before the street brawl, Sampson bites his thumb at Abram and Balthasar, and they argue,
“Sampson: Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to him if they bear it.
Abram: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson: I do bite my thumb, sir.” (I.i.37-40).
In this quote, Sampson and Gregory intentionally disrespect the Montagues in order to begin a fight.

Because of self-honour, Abram does not tolerate Sampson’s action and challenges them to fight. Another example of when a character defends honour is when Mercutio stands up for Romeo. This happens when Tybalt challenges Romeo, Romeo refuses to duel, and Mercutio says, “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! / ‘Alla stoccata’ carries it away. [Draws] / Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?” (III.i.70-72). This quote shows that after Romeo disagrees with dueling, Mercutio, his good friend, stands up for him instead. This proves that disgracing honour is an action that humans are unable to tolerate, as Mercutio can not put up with Romeo’s honour being tarnished. Another important time where honour was being defended was when Paris saw Romeo at churchyard, he whispers, “And here is come to do some villainous shame / To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.” (V.iii.52-53). This quote shows that Paris is a noble man, as he is standing up for the honour of the Capulet corpses, yet he rashfully decides to fight Romeo despite not knowing Romeo’s real intentions for coming. Hence, humans impulsively use violence as a way to defend the honour of themselves and

others.

In conclusion, the use of violence to vent anger, exact revenge, and defend honour demonstrates that humans are inherently evil. It shows that humans are no more than animals, as individuals resort to violence in order resolve problems. This is still a current problem, such as in terrorism. Terrorists resort to violence as they vent their anger of being jailed, seek revenge for being criminalized, and defend the honour of their religion. From a third person perspective, it is easily seen that violence is unjust. But in reality, every individual possesses this inner evil. Reading Romeo and Juliet allows one to reflect and understand that violence leads to consequences, as highlighted by the ending of the play. It is important that individuals learn to retrain using violence, as if they do not, they may suffer the same fate as Romeo and Juliet.