Violence / Conflict
Moment 1: Act 1 Scene 1
Conflict between Capulets and Montagues.
"My sword, I say! old Montague is come,"
Language analysis – exclamation mark shows heightened emotions (anger).
Effect on play and audience – sets the scene for entire play, showing that violence is a key theme throughout.
NEW INFO – warring families fight for no reason.
Moment 2: Act 1 Scene 5
Juliet's inter conflict.
"That I must love a loathed enemy."
Language analysis – uses 'must', meaning she has no choice but to love Romeo.
Effect on play and audience – sets both characters into action as they fall in love.
NEW INFO – love can change people, making them do brash things.
Moment 3: Act 3 Scene 1
Conflict between Tybalt and Romeo.
"Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries"
Language analysis – Tybalt describes how he was dishonoured by Romeo as being wounded by him, the exaggeration shows how he is willing to fight for his honour.
Effect on play and audience – pivotal to the plot of the play, since the conflict has grown so much that even love can't fix it and may even be the cause.
NEW INFO – people are violent for the sake of their honour.
Moment 4: Act 3 Scene 5
Conflict between Juliet and her father.
"My fingers itch."
Language analysis – metaphor emphasises anger
Effect on play and audience – forces Juliet to take drastic measures.
NEW INFO – parents were violent to their children when they were disobeyed.
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AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2 Romeo and Juliet
Non-FictionHere's another book meant to help with your R&J question in Eng Lit P2!
