‘Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is about passion, about violence as much as love.’ Discuss this statement with close reference the text.
This type of Shakespeare essay requires you to consider a famous play from a different angle. The classic story of Shakespeare’s ‘star crossed lovers’ is here expected to be reassessed so that the underlying theme of violence which causes the tragedy, the hatred which denies the love, is brought to the fore.
Advice on handling this essay
You should begin this Shakespeare essay by looking at the key scenes which deal with violence in the play:
- The opening (Act I, Scene i) where the eruption of violence between the servants shows how the feud really does effect everyone even connected with the houses of Montague and Capulet, introduces Tybalt’s aggression, the role of Benvolio as peacemaker and the foreshadowing warning of the Prince that the feud and violence cannot continue unpunished. This scene is in many ways the emblem of this Shakespeare play.
- The murder of Mercutio and Tybalt (Act III, Scene i) which follows the secret marriage of Rome and Juliet and crystallises the battle between good and evil in the play, as well as the futility of the feud as Mercutio dies crying ‘a plague a’ both your houses’.
- The struggle between Juliet and her parents where her father’s ‘finger’s itch’ (Act III, Scene v) and she stands alone despite her youth in defiance for love of Romeo.
- The murder of Paris by Romeo at Juliet’s tomb (Act V, Scene iii).
Structure this Shakespeare essay around close analysis of these scenes of violence, drawing attention to how they juxtapose with the love scenes. This is a Shakespeare essay that needs almost as much attention to the perception as to the language because the themes overlap and inform each other so you should concentrate on identifying those themes in the key scenes, analysing central quotations from each and structuring a basic five paragraph essay around them:
- Introduction
- Main body (three paragraphs)
- Conclusion
The whole Shakespeare essay must, of course, be well supported by evidence throughout, displaying the love and hatred.
Sample essay response:
Introduction
Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is renowned as a timeless love story, yet underlying this narrative is a potent theme of violence and hatred that drives the tragedy to its inevitable conclusion. This essay will explore how the feud between the Montagues and Capulets permeates the play, influencing the actions and fates of the characters. By examining key scenes of violence—Act I, Scene i; Act III, Scene i; Act III, Scene v; and Act V, Scene iii—we will see how Shakespeare juxtaposes these moments with scenes of love, highlighting the destructive power of hatred and its impact on the star-crossed lovers.
Act I, Scene i: The Eruption of Violence
The play opens with a violent clash between the servants of the Montague and Capulet households, immediately setting the tone for the pervasive conflict. This scene is crucial as it demonstrates how deeply the feud affects everyone connected to the two families. Tybalt’s aggression is introduced, marking him as a key instigator of violence throughout the play. Benvolio, in contrast, attempts to act as a peacemaker, though his efforts are in vain. The Prince’s intervention and warning that further breaches of the peace will be met with severe punishment foreshadow the tragic consequences of continued violence.
This opening act is emblematic of the entire play, symbolizing how the feud’s violence overshadows any attempts at peace. The Prince’s decree, “If ever you disturb our streets again, / Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace,” starkly illustrates the gravity of the situation. This scene also serves to introduce the audience to the toxic environment in which Romeo and Juliet’s love must struggle to survive.
Act III, Scene i: The Murder of Mercutio and Tybalt
Following Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage, Act III, Scene i crystallizes the battle between good and evil. The confrontation that leads to the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt underscores the futility of the feud. Mercutio’s death, with his curse “A plague o’ both your houses,” highlights the senselessness of the violence that pervades their world. This moment is pivotal as it directly leads to Romeo’s banishment, a consequence that ultimately propels the lovers towards their tragic end.
Romeo’s internal conflict is evident when he initially refuses to fight Tybalt, saying, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee / Doth much excuse the appertaining rage.” However, Mercutio’s death ignites Romeo’s fury, leading to Tybalt’s murder. This scene starkly contrasts the earlier depiction of Romeo as a lover with his transformation into an agent of vengeance. The juxtaposition of Mercutio’s playful banter with the subsequent deadly seriousness of the duel emphasizes the play’s theme of how quickly love can turn to violence under the influence of hatred.
Act III, Scene v: Juliet’s Struggle with Her Parents
In Act III, Scene v, the theme of violence shifts to the domestic sphere as Juliet clashes with her parents over her refusal to marry Paris. Lord Capulet’s anger and threats towards Juliet, encapsulated in his line “My fingers itch,” reveal the authoritarian and violent dynamics within the family. Juliet, despite her youth, stands defiant, driven by her love for Romeo.
This scene not only highlights the personal violence Juliet faces but also underscores the broader societal pressures that contribute to the tragic outcomes. Juliet’s isolation and the intensity of her father’s threats expose the deep-seated patriarchal violence that restricts her autonomy. This familial conflict serves as a microcosm of the larger feud, demonstrating how the cycle of violence perpetuates itself within different contexts of the play.
Act V, Scene iii: The Murder of Paris and the Final Tragedy
The culmination of the play’s violence occurs in Act V, Scene iii, with the murder of Paris by Romeo at Juliet’s tomb. This act of violence is particularly tragic as it is fueled by misunderstandings and despair. Romeo, believing Juliet to be dead, encounters Paris at her tomb and, in his grief-stricken state, kills him. This scene encapsulates the ultimate destruction wrought by the feud, as even in death, the violence continues to claim lives.
Romeo’s final words, “Thus with a kiss I die,” juxtapose the violence of the preceding action with the tenderness of his love for Juliet. The tragic irony of their deaths, coupled with the earlier violent acts, underscores the senselessness of the feud. The reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the tragedy poignantly reflects on the heavy price paid for their animosity.
Conclusion
In “Romeo and Juliet,” Shakespeare masterfully interweaves themes of love and violence to illustrate the destructive power of hatred. Through the key scenes examined, we see how the feud between the Montagues and Capulets casts a shadow over the entire narrative, driving the characters towards their tragic fates. The juxtaposition of moments of tenderness with acts of violence highlights the play’s central message: that unchecked hatred and violence inevitably lead to loss and sorrow. Romeo and Juliet’s love, though pure, cannot flourish in a world consumed by conflict, serving as a timeless reminder of the devastating impact of enmity on human lives.