Violence In Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is, almost indubitably, the greatest tragedies of all time. Depicting the coalescing of two feuding households in Verona, Italy, through the tragic deaths of the titular characters. The tragic ending clearly demonstrates the tones of Violence Shakespeare was trying to convey.In Romeo and Juliet, structural and cultural violence are culpable for the outcome due to radical laws and ideals in Verona.
From the Prologue alone, it is discovered the two sparring houses have different cultural ideas. As Galtung states, “Culture preaches, teaches, admonishes, eggs on, and dulls us into seeing exploitation and/or repression as normal.” (Galtung 295). This is portrayed early as the first scene of the play when Sampson, a Capulet servant, remarks, “I will push Montague’s men from the wall and thrusts his maids to the wall.” (Shakespeare 1.1.24-25). If even a simple servant has these extreme thoughts against Montagues, it can be clearly shown that the hatred between Montagues and Capulets runs deep. These radical acts of violence

In theory, it sounds very plausible and reasonable, but as Galtung explains, “How narrow is it to see peace as the opposite of war” (Galtung 293). Preventing violence is usually enforced with the threat of violence, as Prince Escalus warns, “Your lives shall pay to forfeit of the peace.” (Shakespeare 1.1.105). Though Prince Escalus never followed through with the execution warning, his punishment was still, nevertheless, one of Galtung’s types of violence “other types of violence … meaning locking people out (banishing them abroad or to distant parts of the country).” (Galtung 293). Romeo was banished from Verona and, more importantly, his beloved wife Juliet. In other words, though the laws against bloodshed seemed ideal, they ultimately lead to more violence and conflict in the