Conflict

Question 1

What are the six main ways in which conflict is presented as in Romeo and Juliet?

Answer 1

Shakespear warns us against conflict and shows conflict breeds more conflict
Futile, no point to it; ‘Grude born of an airy word’
Conflict born out of protectiveness of family reputation and honour. Shakespeare mocking at hotheaded culture.
Conflict between head and heart, emotion and reason, experience and youth
Consequences of conflict can be severe
Inner conflict shown through Romeo, over his ties to family and Juliet

Question 2

'I \_\_ \_\_, \_\_ \_\_, \_\_ \_\_:
The \_\_ is \_\_, the \_\_ \_\_,
And, if \_\_ \_\_, \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ a \_\_;
For \_\_, \_\_ \_\_ \_\_, is the \_\_ \_\_ \_\_.'
(Fill in the gaps, who says this? What does it mean? When in the play is it said?)

Answer 2

Benvolio: ‘I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire:
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl;
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.’
Act 3, Scene 1

• foreshadows fight between tybalt and mercutio
• people are more prone to conflict in hot weather, emphasises how meaningless the conflict really is
• presents Benvolio as reasonable, shows people aren’t particularly invested in the conflict, but feel required to join in

Question 3

‘O __, __, __ __!…’

Fill in the gaps, who says this? What does it mean? When in the play is it said?

Answer 3

Mercutio: O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!…’ Act 3 Scene 1

Giving in is dishonourable, and Mercutio is saying harsh things towards Romeo, showing just how great of an insult Romeo’s refusal to fight is

Question 4

‘I am __.
A __ o’ __ __ __!’
(Fill in the gaps, who says this? What does it mean? When in the play is it said?)

Answer 4

Mercutio: I am hurt.
A plague o’ both your houses!’
Act 3 scene 1

Mercutio curses both houses, as it is both their faults it is dead. Putting some of the blame on Romeo.
-Foreshadowing to how Romeo and Juliet both die as a punishment to their families, and things begin to go downhill after Mercutio’s death