Based on the prologue, what is the main conflict in romeo and juliet?

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about two young star-crossed lovers who come from opposing families that are constantly feuding. Romeo is a Montague whilst Juliet is a Capulet. Although the most obvious theme in the play is love, there are several scenes which contain conflict. This essay considers some of the ways that conflict is presented in Act III scene 1.
At the start of the scene, Shakespeare creates conflict by using pathetic fallacy. Benvolio describes the weather as being ‘hot’ and making their ‘mad blood’ stir. The adjectives ‘hot’ and ‘mad’ foreshadows later events and suggests that the heat alone will entice the men to fight and will make a ‘brawl’ inevitable. The reference to blood also links to the colour red, which could be seen as a sign of violence or danger. The audience may feel tension as they can see Benvolio trying to warn Mercutio of what may occur and because Tybalt had a score to settle with Romeo for attending the Capulet party. This links to conflict as the weather is encouraging a fight by aggravating the characters.
We also see physical conflict when Tybalt kills Mercutio. This shocks the audience and shows how bad the conflict between Capulet and Montague has become. Also, when Mercutio is dying, he curses the feuding families three times: 'A plague o' both your houses!' A 'plague' in Verona was a powerful curse. The use of the exclamation mark after the curse shows how…show more content…
The play begins with the Prologue which foreshadows the conflict between the two feuding families and tells the audience about the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. This immediately establishes the theme of conflict within the play and many of the scenes portray both verbal, physical and inner conflict. Act III, Scene 1 is a fundamental turning point in the play, ultimately leading to the deaths of several main characters, most notably the two young lovers, Romeo and

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Themes

A theme is a key idea that runs through a text. The key themes in Romeo and Juliet are love, conflict and family. All three themes interlink with one another.

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Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

Conflict is a central theme in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare presents the theme of conflict through two warring families: the Montagues and the Capulets. The two families have been taught to hate each other, and this hatred impacts on the family members and the citizens of Verona. The citizens of Verona are unwillingly a part of the conflict as they witness the ongoing battles between the two families - battles which often result in death.

Shakespeare also presents the themes of conflict through inner familial conflict and individual conflict. Where conflict is presented, the struggle for power and control is also apparent.

How is the theme of conflict shown in Romeo and Juliet?

Conflict is shown in Romeo and Juliet through:

• the two warring families: Montagues and the Capulets
• Juliet's inner conflict when she discovers Romeo is a Montague
• conflict between Tybalt and Romeo
• conflict between Juliet and her father

	How does Shakespeare show this?	Evidence	Analysis
The two warring families	Shakespeare opens the play with a prologue and it is here that he first depicts the conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets.	"Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean."	Shakespeare opens his play with the first line, illustrating the "ancient" grudge that has been happening in Verona. Shakespeare does this to show that the conflict has been ongoing and isn't likely to stop. He describes it as "ancient"' to illustrate how ingrained the conflict is with the families - it is a part of their daily lives.
Juliet's inner conflict	When Juliet discovers the true identity of her true love, she is shocked and cannot believe she loves someone who she is supposed to hate.	"That I must love a loathed enemy."	Juliet uses 'must' which indicates that she has no other choice - she loves Romeo and cannot change the fact. This presents a conflict for Juliet, as she cannot change what she feels - despite knowing that she should.
Conflict between Tybalt and Romeo	Tybalt believes Romeo to have greatly dishonoured his family when he gate-crashes the Capulet party. He decides that Romeo must pay and offers to duel with Romeo.	"Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw."	This shows that Tybalt believes he has been injured with Romeo's actions. He commands Romeo to 'turn and draw', taking part in a fight.

Question

Why has Shakespeare used the theme of conflict in this play?

• Audience members can relate to the theme, as they will have all been a part of conflict in their lives.
• Conflict is the reason why the play is tragic: it is because of the families' conflict that Romeo and Juliet die.

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What is the main conflict in Romeo and Juliet?

What central conflict is revealed in the prologue?

What is the prologue about in Romeo and Juliet?

How is conflict presented in the prologue?