Theme Of Violence In Romeo And Juliet

Violence is not just a physical hurt but a mental one. The Capulets and Montagues physically fight a lot throughout the play but it emerges from the mental hate they have for each other. Violence determines our reactions and how we view things. In the play, violence is what destroys the beauty of love. In a city called Verona two lovesick teenagers, who are destined to hate each other because of an old family feud, fall in love. Romeo and Juliet tell the story of young love, desire, and the violent outcome of love sprung from hate.

There are many violent fighting and arguing scenes in the play. For instance, Tybalt states in 1:1:64 to Benvolio, "As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee" (Shakespeare pg. 12). This quote is from the beginning

For instance, Juliet states to the Friar in 4:1:67-68, "Be not so long to speak. I long to die. If what thou speak'st speak not of remedy" (Shakespeare pg. 212). Miscommunication is a horrible thing that leads to even worse things. Juliet was willing to kill herself rather than marry Paris. She or the Friar could've told her parents or the Prince of her and Romeo. Instead, the Friar came up with a horrible plan to fake her death. Juliet believed that her parents' hate for the Capulets was bigger than their love for her. She is blinded by her love for Romeo and she cannot see another way out. In the feuding violence, after Romeo has killed Tybalt and Tybalt, Mercutio everyone is not thinking straight. Romeo and Juliet thought that they were being forced to one option, killing themselves. If there was a more open-mindedness to the situation they both could've made it out

For instance, the Prince states in 5:3:292-293, "See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys with love" (Shakespeare pg. 284). Love can do nothing when influenced by hate. The Prince is saying in this scene that because of all of the hate, bickering, and brawling they both now must suffer. Their children, their joys, have been killed with love. Love for each other. The heavens itself seek remedy. Which it gains. Only after this tragedy do the Montague and Capulets find respect for each other. They had to lose to learn. There are more mercies granted with love than we should have to be taught through