Romeo and Juliet Issue in Society/Conflict Essay Flashcards
Structure of issue in society/conflict essay
Introduction Plot summary Secrecy - Romeo and Juliet must keep relationship secret Law- Unrest in Verona Streets Consequences on Romeo and Juliet Consequences on Society Conclusion
Introduction
In the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Shakespeare we see the issue of violence in
society. This violence is caused by the conflict between two rival families and the
forbidden love of two young people from the disputing families, the Montagues and
the Capulets. The play portrays how the issue of violence and forbidden love
can cause tragic endings and broken hearts and can have disastrous effects on a whole community.
Plot Summary
Change the standard plot summary slightly to include themes of love, feuds, money, secrecy, consequences and tragedy.
Romeo and Juliet meet and instantly fall in love, however it is the fact that their
love is forbidden that they are secretive and are willing to go to drastic measures
to be together. The feud between the families and Romeo and Juliets undeniable
love causes the tragic endings of multiple lives.
Secrecy of love topic sentence
As a result of the feud Romeo and Juliet feel as though they need to hide their relationship. This secrecy of love ultimately results in their tragic deaths.
Secrecy of love quotes
As a result of the feud Romeo and Juliet feel as though they need to hide their relationship. This secrecy of love ultimately results in their tragic deaths.
Juliet : “My only love is sprung from my only hate”.
Romeo when he refuses to fight Tybalt as they are now related through Juliet : “But love thee better than thou canst devise, till thou shall know the reason of my love; and so good Capulet, which name i tender as dearly, as mine own, be satisfied.”
Romeo : “Till thou shalt know the reason of my love”
Ignoring the law topic sentence
As we see throughout the play both families act against the law, causing more
pressure on the Prince who is trying to keep the peace.
Ignoring the law quotes
Lady Capulet after she finds out Romeo has killed Tybalt : “I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live”.
When Romeo asks the apothecary for the poison he replies that he has them
“But Mantua’s law Is death to any he that utters them”. Romeo replies “I pay thy poverty and not thy will”.
Consequences on R+J - Topic Sentence
The tragic consequences of the rivalry on Romeo and Juliet demonstrates how pervasive an issue it is.
The most tragic consequence which the feuding families have to face is the death of Romeo and Juliet.
Consequences on R+J - Quote
Prince telling the families to look at the results of their pointless rivalry: “What be these enemies? Capulet, Montague? See what a scourge is laid upon your hate” .
Consequences on Society -topic sentence
The death of the two young lovers in such a tragic way is felt throughout the city.
The two feuding houses put aside their past disputes and come together as a sign of respect due to the death that has happened because of the dispute:
Consequences on Society - Quotes
When the families agree to end their feud:
Capulet: “O brother montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more I can demand.”
Montague: “But I can give thee more, for I will raise her statue in pure gold, that whiles Verona by that name is known, There shall no figure at such rate be set as that of true and faithful Juliet.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare explores the important societal issue of a conflict between two families.
The tragic death of the two young lovers emphasises the catastrophic effects that
long term issues and division can cause within a society;
The audience and the people of Verona are left to contemplate whether, in a
society that wasn’t plagued by the same societal wrongs, could the young lovers
have survived.
Their deaths are the climax of all societal failures: a family forsaking the life of its
children for the sake of division and feuding;
The inclusion of societal issues makes the play as a whole more tragic, as it
explores the tragedy of issues in all of society, rather than in just one family.
