Romeo And Juliet Pacifism And Violence

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The Relation Between Pacifism and Violence Coined by French peace campaigner Émile Arnaud, pacifism is opposition to war and violence, meaning a pacifist is one who opposed to war and violence. In Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio is a prime example of a pacifist. Pacifists are oftentimes, and almost always the peacemakers of a story, dismantling fights and arguments. Through pacifistic ideas, anger, and Mercutio’s optimism, Shakespeare tells us that Benvolio is a peacemaker who does not wish for quarrels. Many times, throughout Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio is found breaking apart a quarrel. Benvolio asks of Mercutio and Tybalt to retreat from public, saying “We talk here in the public haunt of men. Either withdraw unto some private place (…)” (3.1.53-54).

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