Conflict, Honour and Feuds

Question 1

True or False? The feud between the families has been going on for a long time.

Answer 1

True. It is described as an “ancient grudge” in the prologue to Act 1

Question 2

How many fights between the Montagues and Capulets does the Prince say there have been in Act 1, Scene 1?

Answer 2

Three. The prince says that “Three civil brawls” have “disturbed the quiet” in Verona.

Question 3

Give a piece of evidence that shows honour plays a role in causing Mercutio to fight Tybalt.

Answer 3

Mercutio is ashamed of Romeo’s unwillingness to fight Tybalt. He calls it a “dishonourable, vile submission”. He fights Tybalt to make up for Romeo’s apparent lack of honour.

Question 4

Why does Paris insist on fighting Romeo in Act 5, Scene 3?

Answer 4

Paris insists on fighting Romeo because he wants to protect Juliet’s grave. He believes Romeo is a “villain” and a “felon”.

Question 5

The violence in the play increases as the plot progresses. What effect does this have on the audience?

Answer 5

• The increasing violence means that the tension builds as the play progresses, because the story appears to be heading towards a violent climax. The audience becomes increasingly nervous about what will happen next and which characters will die.
• The violence increasingly emphasises to the audience that Romeo and Juliet’s love is doomed because of the family feud, which becomes a more and more dangerous obstacle to their love and prevents them from being together.