Irony In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet, an enormous feud takes place between the Romeo’s and Juliet’s family, the Montagues and the Capulets. This feud between the two families causes sprawling street fights, such as at the start of the play, insults for one another, and separation of the two families. This feud also drives the play’s plot by giving Tybalt an enemy and by creating the dramatic irony only known by the audience when Romeo and Juliet fall in love during the party. It appears, at least in act I in the play, the feud drives the action of the play by creating dramatic and intense events, creating fights between people, and creating tension between Romeo and Juliet for their romance. In concern on how the servants drive this feud, the servants of the two families begin a massive fight between the two families by one servant biting at the thumb and one

Then, Tybalt, a feuding Capulet who tries to instigate a fight wherever he can, walked in and challenged Benvolio, who does not want to fight. Since Tybalt started insulting Benvolio, by saying, “Have at thee, coward!” and he drew his sword, Benvolio reacted and protected himself. During this fight scene, Lord Capulet is quick to try and enter but his wife prevents him from doing so by saying, “A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?” Lord Montague also tries to enter this fight, but his wife prevents him from doing so as well, by telling him, “Thou shalt stir a foot to seek a foe.” At the end of the fight, Prince Escalus walks in and tries to end this feud by telling everyone if this happens again, both families will be put to death. In summary, the servants and Tybalt meddle and begin fights, Benvolio, Lady Capulet, Prince Escalus and Lady Montague try to keep the peace, while Lord Capulet and Lord Montague will try to join in on a fight if they think they are