Discussion Topic
Tensions and Conflicts in Romeo and Juliet
Summary:
In Romeo and Juliet, various tensions and conflicts drive the narrative. Initially, Juliet faces pressure from her parents to consider marrying Paris, which she diplomatically agrees to consider. The pivotal conflict arises when Romeo kills Tybalt, motivated by revenge for Mercutio's death and his impulsive nature. This act leads to Romeo's banishment, causing him inner turmoil and suicidal thoughts, as he feels separated from Juliet. The play opens with a street brawl, highlighting the deep-seated feud between the Capulets and Montagues, driven by family pride.
What is the conflict and resolution in Act I, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet?
Act I, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet serves two important purposes. First, it introduces the audience to Juliet and the Nurse. We find out that Juliet is very young, only 13, and that she is very close to the Nurse. In fact, the Nurse literally lives up to her name as she talks about weaning the girl using wormwood. The second purpose is to introduce what would later be the major conflict of Juliet marrying Count Paris.
Lady Capulet initially wants to speak with Juliet alone, but then thinks better of it and asks the Nurse to stay. We get the feeling she is uncomfortable with her daughter and she needs the Nurse's support. The Nurse proceeds to steal the scene as she recalls Juliet's childhood, particularly the time her husband made a bawdy joke at the toddler Juliet's expense.
Lady Capulet's "purpose" is to ask Juliet...
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if she would like to marry Paris. He is an eligible bachelor who is of the same social and economic status as Juliet and would make a good match, at least in Juliet's parent's eyes. The Nurse is also impressed with Paris and she tells Juliet,
A man, young lady—lady, such a man
As all the world—why, he’s a man of wax.
I’ll look to like, if looking liking move.
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, why did Romeo kill Tybalt in act 3, scene 1?
In order to understand why Romeo killed Tybalt, one must first address why
Tybalt killed Mercutio.
Mercutio was not supposed to have been slain by Tybalt. Tybalt wanted to avenge
himself on Romeo for crashing the Capulet's ball, which Tybalt felt to be an
insult. In fact, Tybalt believed that the only reason why Romeo was there was
to laugh at Tybalt's family. When Capulet stops Tybalt from fighting Romeo that
night, Tybalt feels further insulted and vows to avenge himself, as we see in
the lines, "I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, / Now seeming sweet,
convert to bitt'rest gall" (I.v.96-97). Mercutio learned that Tybalt had
challenged Romeo to a dual by letter, and, feeling angered by this, followed
his impetuous instincts and decided to place himself out on the street so that
he could challenge Tybalt himself if he saw him.
Tybalt tries not to engage Mercutio in a fight, even addressing him and
Benvolio politely as "gentleman" (III.i.38). But when Romeo tries to back out
of Tybalt's challenge, because Mercutio is so angry with Tybalt, Mercutio
considers Romeo's actions to be "vile submission!" and challenges Tybalt
himself.
Hence, one reason that Romeo kills Tybalt is to avenge his best friend's death.
However, the reasons go a bit deeper than that. Romeo, a lot like Mercutio, is
also a very rash, emotionally driven, impetuous, and very young man. Tybalt ran
away after he stabbed Mercutio. During that moment, Romeo had the opportunity
to run from further calamity as well, allowing the Prince's law to punish
Tybalt. Instead, due to his rash emotionalism, Romeo decides to break further
laws by avenging his best friend's death himself.
Thus, we see that the reason why Romeo killed Tybalt is twofold: 1) He wanted
revenge for the murder of his best friend; 2) His rash, emotional, impetuous
mentality led him to believe that murdering Tybalt himself was the only way to
avenge Mercutio's death.
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, why is Tybalt frustrated in act 3, scene 1?
Tybalt's frustration with Romeo in Act III, Scene 1 can actually be explained by something that occurred earlier on in the play. When Tybalt refers to the "injuries that [Romeo] hast done," Tybalt is referring to what occurred at the Capulet's ball.
At the Capulet ball in Act I, Scene 5, Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice when Tybalt hears him asking a servant who Juliet is. Tybalt is furious to see that Romeo, a Montague, has invaded his family's private ball. Tybalt makes haste to fight with Romeo and to "strike him dead" for the "honour of his kin." However, Tybalt is actually stopped by Lord Capulet. Lord Capulet does not want bloodshed at or near his party, but he also rationalizes that Romeo is reported throughout Verona "to be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth." Therefore, Lord Capulet instructs Tybalt to leave him alone. Tybalt argues with his uncle, but then finally gives in. However, his uncle's treatment infuriates Tybalt even further. Tybalt feels he has been insulted by Romeo in his own house and promises to revenge himself on Romeo soon.
Hence, by the time we get to Act III, Tybalt feels he has been insulted by Romeo for two reasons: 1) Romeo invaded Tybalt's home and family; 2) Tybalt was put down by his uncle. Thus, a frustrated Tybalt also feels that Romeo is responsible his uncle's rebukes, which he feels were insulting.
What are the main conflicts in Act 3, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet?
Act III Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is set within the cell of Friar Laurence and occurs after Romeo has killed Tybalt. The main conflicts are over what Romeo should do. The Prince has decreed that Romeo be banished and Romeo rather than be grateful for this comparatively mild sentence rather melodramatically says that it would be better to commit suicide than to be separated from Juliet. The first conflict is with Friar Laurence, a Roman catholic monk, for whom suicide is a mortal sin. He tries to convince Romeo that banishment is better than death, but Romeo says:
“There is no world without Verona walls.”
The Nurse enters and argues with Romeo that he owes it to Juliet to behave more responsibly, saying:
“Stand up, stand up! Stand, and you be a man.
For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand!"
These conflicts are resolved when the Nurse and Friar Laurence devise a scheme for a secret marriage.
Which conflict scene opens the action in Romeo and Juliet?
In the first scene of the play, a street fight breaks out between some boys from the house of Capulet -- Gregory and Sampson -- and some of Montague -- Abram and a nameless other. Sampson bites his thumb at Abram, an insult, and they begin to quarrel. After Sampson says that he serves as good a man as Abram and Abram asserts no better, Gregory sees Benvolio, a Montague, coming. He instructs Sampson to declare that his master is better than Abram's. They draw their weapons and begin to fight, all but Benvolio. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, enters the scene and threatens Benvolio, who professes that he's only trying to keep the peace. Just as it seems that the leaders of the families will get involved, Prince Escalus arrives and breaks up the fight.
Beginning the play with such a conflict, especially a conflict over something so stupid and minor, sets the stage for the violence that ensues. We can see that the feud doesn't consist of anything beyond family pride -- perhaps no one even remembers what caused the initial disagreement. The fight is ridiculous and especially frustrating to the prince who has such trouble maintaining order with such animosity in Verona.