P.E.E Romeo and Juliet

Question How does Shakespeare create conflict and present violence in Romeo and Juliet? (with reference to 1.1, 3.1, 3.5 and 5.3)

In the early scenes of Romeo and Juliet the violence is between the Caulets and the Montagues. However when both Tybalt and Mercutio die the tension and violence is now a part of the Capulet family circle. Shakespeare shows the increasing tension in the play as conflict is no longer just between men but between men and women and father and daughter. Words such as ‘die’ and ‘hang’ show Capulet as vicious, the monosyllabic nature of his speech highlights the rage he feels. His outrage and horror at Juliet’s behaviour is reflected as Shakespeare writes in iambic pentameter, which conveys his fury as he tells Juliet the possible consequences of her actions. Words such as ‘starve’ and ‘streets’ suggest Capulet is literally spitting his words at Juliet. Shakespeare shows tension and conflict in the form of Capulet's overbearing and dominant role in the family. His use of derogatory language and insults he aims towards Juliet increase the tension in this scene especially when Capulet says Juliet is a ‘disobedient wretch’ and suggests she will ‘hang, beg and starve’ if she disobeys him. The conflict is not limited to the male characters and by Act III Scene V conflict has spread between Capulet and Juliet. In the Elizabethan period, the role of women was extremely limited, men dominated every element of life in a patriarchal society. Men were leaders and in charge whilst women obeyed their orders and were classed as inferior. Women were regarded as a weaker sex because of their emotional and physical ‘weakness’ The general believe was that women had to be looked after and should go from their father’s care to their husband’s care. Women were not allowed to be independent. This is prevalent in Act III Scene V when Capulet demands that Juliet be married to Paris and if she disobeys she will be punished. The dramatic irony that Juliet is already married adds further tension to the play.

The conflict is not limited to the male characters and by Act III Scene V conflict has spread between Capulet and Juliet. In the Elizabethan period, the role of women was extremely limited, men dominated every element of life in a patriarchal society. Men were leaders and in charge whilst women obeyed their orders and were classed as inferior. Women were regarded as a weaker sex because of their emotional and physical ‘weakness’ The general believe was that women had to be looked after and should go from their father’s care to their husband’s care. Women were not allowed to be independent. This is prevalent in Act III Scene V when Capulet demands that Juliet be married to Paris and if she disobeys she will be punished. The dramatic irony that Juliet is already married adds further tension to the play. Shakespeare shows tension and conflict in the form of Capulet's overbearing and dominant role in the family. His use of derogatory language and insults he aims towards Juliet increase the tension in this scene especially when Capulet says Juliet is a ‘disobedient wretch’ and suggests she will ‘hang, beg and starve’ if she disobeys him. Words such as ‘die’ and ‘hang’ show Capulet as vicious, the monosyllabic nature of his speech highlights the rage he feels. His outrage and horror at Juliet’s behaviour is reflected as Shakespeare writes in iambic pentameter, which conveys his fury as he tells Juliet the possible consequences of her actions. Words such as ‘starve’ and ‘streets’ suggest Capulet is literally spitting his words at Juliet. In the early scenes of Romeo and Juliet the violence is between the Caulets and the Montagues. However when both Tybalt and Mercutio die the tension and violence is now a part of the Capulet family circle. Shakespeare shows the increasing tension in the play as conflict is no longer just between men but between men and women and father and daughter.

Structure P: POINT = SPONGE Point to develop argument, (explain the context of the quotation) E: EVIDENCE = JAM Justify the point E: EXPLANATION = CREAM Analysis of language and technique CONCLUDE = SPONGE Relate point back to argument and develop to the next point