Natalie Springer Frost English Honors 9-5 7 March 2023 A Harrowing Hostility The misfortune of Shakespeare's tragic play, "Romeo and Juliet," dawned from an old opposition, a senseless conflict, an ancient grudge whose origin has been lost to time. Its existence has disrupted the harmony of its home, and all are tired of it except the rival families themselves; at times, the families only seem to think of themselves. There is one fatal flaw that wounds the characters of this tale, whether physically or emotionally—and it is the feud itself. Within the story's very beginning, it is seen first-hand how the feud has brought hindrance to the peace of fair Verona. The Prince says, "Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, / By thee, old Capulet, …show more content…
Tybalt, ignoring Romeo's pleas for peace, says, "Boy, this shall not excuse the injures / That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw" (3.1.62-63). Tybalt had challenged Romeo to this duel for a single reason: That Romeo had snuck into the Capulet family's masquerade party. When he alerted Capulet of the situation, he was brushed off and told not to worry. He and Romeo never even spoke. Scolded in front of everybody, Tybalt was furious. He speaks of injuries Romeo had done him, but the only injuries he received were ones he inflicted on himself; ones that could be evaded. To add to the unfortunate scenario, the duel ended in a tragedy. In the aftermath of it, Benvolio says, "O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! / That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, / Which too untimely here did scorn the earth." (3.1.112-114). Mercutio was killed by Tybalt's hand as he defended Romeo, and for what? Mercutio is of the House of Escalus—not Montague, not Capulet, but a bystander. Tybalt murdered Mercutio for the sole purpose of him being acquainted with Romeo, who, again, was only challenged for being at a party! How senseless is this …show more content…
The two youngest, Romeo and Juliet, had triggered their untimely end by their own hands. The entire reason the young couple took their lives in the first place was because of the feud forbidding their burning love for each other, making them take irrational measures just to be together. The Prince scorns, "Where be these enemies? —Capulet! Montague! / See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, / That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! / And I, for winking at your discords, too / Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished" (5.3.291-295). This quotation presents the consequences that Montague and Capulet's families are currently facing in the story; their only children were killed by their own love, forbidden by an ancient fight. The prince states here that he had also lost his own family, Mercutio, who isn't even a formal part of the feud. He declares that all are punished, that all will pay for their narrow-minded mistakes. Lastly, these final lines of the play conclude all the fighting and put to rest the unease. "A glooming peace this morning with it brings. / The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head. / Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. / Some shall be pardoned, and some punished. / For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo" (5.3.305-310). The enmity had been eliminated, and the discord destroyed. Over the loss of
Romeo realizes that Tybalt is angry and wants to fight, but because he is so elated because of his marriage, he simply tells him that there is no reason to fight and they should be kind to one another. Romeo expresses, “But love thee better than thou canst devise / Till thou shalt know the reason of my love. / And so, good Capulet- which name I tender / As dearly as my own- be satisfied” (III.i.40-43). Romeo made it clear that he did not wish to fight Tybalt, but in an effort to keep Romeo's honor, Mercutio stands up for him and fights Tybalt on Romeo's behalf.
Tybalt takes offense to Romeo's presence at the Capulet's party and challenges him to a fight, despite attempts by Mercutio to claim the situation. This leads to Mercutio’s death. “Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” (3.3.118-120).
In this quote Mercutio truly expresses his disgust for Romeo’s refusal to fight Tybalt and sees it as a dishonorable and vile act of submission, so in his friend's honor, Mercutio draws on Tybalt. This quote highlights Mercutio’s prideful nature and his desire to defend his friend’s honor. Mercutio’s provocative behavior and mocking words towards Tybalt further escalated the situation, so in response, Tybalt drew his sword. During the heated battle, Romeo tried his hardest to bring the duel to a stop, which led to Mercutio’s death when while being held back by Romeo, his abdominal area was left open. A swift thrust with Tybalt’s sword connected, and this blow would be the end of Mercutio.
When Tybalt sees Romeo at the party, he acts to have a duel with Romeo. But based on Mercutio’s personality, he tends to pester very often. Mercutio instigates the fight, leading to more quarrels that are unnecessary and can be prevented. As a result of Mercutio dying, Romeo gets furious and seeks vengeance for Mercutio by stabbing Tybalt. Mercutio mentions “ But I’ll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery.
Tybalt and Mercutio want to fight, but Romeo tries to stop it. He fails, and Mercutio dies. This angers Romeo and he chases after Tybalt and kills him. “That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul/Is but a little way above our heads,/Staying for thine to keep him company./Either thou or I,or both, must go with him.”
When Romeo refuses to fight, Tybalt and Mercutio become angry and fight each other. The result of this fight is that Tybalt stabs Mercutio underneath Romeo's arm. Once realising what he has done Tybalt flees from the scene of the fight. When he comes back to finish what he started, he ensures Romeo, “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here. Shalt with him hence.
Tybalt was told not to cause a scene, so he waited until later. He later found Romeo and “slandered” him, trying to convince him to draw his sword. Tybalt claims, “No better term than this: thou art a villain” (3.1.56). Romeo refused to fight him since he had recently married Tybalt’s cousin, so his best friend Mercutio drew his sword instead. After killing Mercutio, Romeo seeks revenge and later kills Tybalt.
However, his failure to effectively address the deep-seated feud between the Capulets and Montagues contributes significantly to the atmosphere of chaos that directly impacts the lives of Romeo and Juliet. Despite the numerous instances of violence and disturbances caused by the ongoing feud, the Prince's punishments and warnings prove insufficient in deterring further conflicts. His lack of decisive action and failure to enforce the law allows the situation to escalate unchecked. This inaction and negligence on the part of the Prince create an environment ripe for tragedy, ultimately leading to the untimely and tragic deaths of the young lovers. The Prince's failure to fulfill his duty as an authority figure serves as a catalyst for the disastrous outcome of Romeo and Juliet's ill-fated love (Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene
Mercutio has just been slain by Tybalt and Romeo is absolutely heartbroken. His best friend died because refused to fight Tybalt. Romeo's sadness over Mercutio's death turns into anger at the one who killed him, Tybalt. Romeo angrily bellowed, “Alive, in triumph! And Mercutio slain!
During their brawl, Tybalt stabs Mercutio, resulting in Romeo’s best friend's death. Romeo then agrees to fight Tybalt because one of them should go to rest along with Mercutio. “That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul, is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” When the two fought, Romeo won against Tybalt and killed him.
Mercutio antagonizes Tybalt leading them to fight Romeo desperately tries to break it up, physically stepping between them: “Why the devil you came between us? I was hurt under your arm” Romeo stepping between Mercutio and Tybalt to stop the fighting is so impulsive that it allows for Tybalt to strike randomly. This directly reflects Mercutio's impulsiveness and volatility. Even in Mercutio's last moments he does something arbitrary. Mercutio this entire time has been extremely loyal to the montagues even going as far as to duel with Tybalt to protect Romeos honor but in his final moments he erratically curses both houses: “A plague o' both your houses!”
In the story ‘Romeo and Juliet’, multiple tragedies occurred, with the main one being the deaths of several characters. The Capulets and the Montagues families, who are rivals, have ongoing disputes that further lead to deaths. The Capulet's arrogance was responsible for raising their daughter wrongly and Romeo’s inconsideration is to blame for falling in “love” with a rival. Additionally, Friar Lawerence’s incompetence was to blame for being the priest who thought a marriage between the two quarrelling families would help.
Mykel Jones Mrs.Coggins English 1 Due Monday Dec 5, 2022 Romeos Flaws William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy set in the city of Verona following two teenagers named Romeo and Juliet. These two teens from feuding families the Montagues and the Capulets fall deeply in love, but eventually, this love will turn into tragedy when the lovers commit suicide. Although this love was doomed from the start, Romeo's fatal flaws which include obsession, impulsiveness, and blindness from his love lead to conflicts that expedite their tragic demise. Romeo’s impulsiveness to marry Juliet less than a day after meeting started his downfall.
And, if aught in this Miscarried by my fault, let my old life Be sacrificed, some hour before his time, Unto the rigor of severest law.” (5.3.266-269). This motif is important because many people in the play die, probably not because of the two main characters, but mainly because of the hate between both families. Consequently, Montague and Capulets feud is over due to Romeo and Juliet killing themselves because they couldn’t be together because of hatred between both families. In the play right after their bodies were brought to their families the Prince states, “Where be these enemies?
The two prestigious families, Capulets and Montagues, hate each other. This is due to their ancestors having a feud about who should have political supremacy. The new generations are just carrying on this argument. “What, draw and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee.”