Hatred & Conflict R&J Flashcards
Shakespeare presents the feud as unnecessary petty and futile
The Prologue: “Ancient grudge”
Adjective – “ancient” implies that the feud between Montagues and Capulets has been passed down from previous generations. are mainly fighting due to blind prejudice or hatred that they have inherited.
The abstract noun “grudge” has connotations of a petty resentment that the families are clinging on to and refusing to move on from. It perhaps seems immature or unnecessary.
Sampson in the opening scene “I will bite my thumb at them!”
Exclamative sentence/characterisation – Sampson’s characterisation is crafted to highlight how immature and petty the reasons for causes of violence are in Verona. The thumb biting is extremely childish and somewhat pathetic yet it results in a mass brawl!
Shakespeare depicts how conflict can destroy communities and ruin peace.
The Prologue “In fair Verona, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean”
Adj – “fair” suggests that Verona is a beautiful, almost idyllic place that is being ruined by violence.
Violent imagery/repetition – “civil blood makes civil hands unclean” – emphasises the amount of blood shed but also the impact it is having on the families.
The adjective “civil” - not inherently bad people they are tarnishing their reputations with violence. They are both guilty of causing pain and suffering to others and the whole community suffers.
The opening fight scene takes place on “Sunday morning” “in a public place”
Shakespeare’s use of setting in the opening scene also shows how far the violence has spread. “Sunday morning” is supposed to be a peaceful, holy time yet there is a brawl in the opening scene.
The families do not respect the customs or the culture of their own city.
“in a public” place also emphasises the fact that the violence can occur anywhere and impact anyone in the community. .
Shakespeare suggests toxic masculinity and fragile male egos are the cause of conflict.
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries thou has done me.”
Mercutio when Romeo refuses to fight: “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission.”
Structure: Act 3, Scene 1 is the pivotal point in the play where the tone shifts and the tragedy picks up pace. It features only male characters.
Tybalt’s hyperbole referring to “injuries” highlights how fragile he is. he attended the Capulet party. prides himself on his fearsome reputation and is fixated on his violent image. When he feels this has been questioned even slightly, he resorts to violence to prove his dominance.
Mercutio’s triadic structure presents how it is repulsive and shameful for a man to refuse to fight. Like Tybalt, he seems driven by preserving a masculine image. His intervention in this scene increases the violence.
Shakespeare suggests conflict limits the freedom of women and young people.
The balcony scene setting with “orchard walls”
Juliet: “My only love sprung from my only hate”
Romeo and Juliet are both victims of the feud in that they are not free to fall in love. Whilst Shakespeare continuously presents their love as pure and innocent, he also shows how it is limited.
The “orchard walls” in the balcony scene perhaps symbolise the obstacles that they must overcome to be together. The feud has made Verona and controlling, restrictive place for young lovers.
The juxtaposition in Juliet’s quote highlights how meaningless the feud is because it is possible for a Montague and a Capulet to love one another. It also shows how Juliet’s freedom to love who she chooses is limited. She perhaps feels caught between loyalty to her family and her love for Romeo. This is an unfair/unjust choice.
Shakespeare suggests that conflict will only lead to trage
Six people die in the play in total, including the protagonists.
Mercutio when he is dying: “A plague a both your houses!”
Structure: The high death toll and Shakespeare’s use of a tragic ending in the play emphasise consequences of hatred. It will only lead to suffering and death inevitably!
Mercutio’s metaphor perhaps portrays the hatred as a disease which will easily spread and kill others unless it is properly controlled. This image also carries connotations of great suffering, particularly to an Elizabethan audience, who were regularly affected by the plague. (Over 15,000 Londoners had recently died of Plague when Romeo and Juliet was published)
Shakespeare suggests that conflict is ultimately against God’s will.
Prologue:
“Star cross’d lovers”
Celestial imagery in the prologue – this symbolises the idea that fate or God has brought Romeo and Juliet together as a way of ending the family feud. It also suggests that their deaths are destined and they are being sacrificed for the sins of their families.
Symbolically this perhaps represents a warning from Shakespeare that hatred is against God’s will and that we will be punished for it
