Romeo And Juliet Act 2questions Argumentative Essay Example

the play to keep the audience or listeners interested. In the Prologue Shakespeare introduces the theme of hatred between the two families; 'Ancient grudge breaks to new munity.

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This refers to the resentment between the Montague and Capulet families and that their grudges are ' bread of an airy word' This just shows that all ranks of the family have been involved at some point, yet no one in the family really knows where this 'grudge' originally came from. We also know that 'two star crossed lovers take their lives. ' so now we know that there is a love story going on through this play and that in the end they will kill themselves. Shakespeare says all this to get the audience intrigued in what is to come. There are a few key scenes which show conflict in this play, especially on the emotional side of conflict.

These scenes are all highly charged and each character experiences a rage and rollercoaster of emotions, both good and bad, but all playing with the extremities of emotional conflict, ranging from marriage to devastating suicide. As said conflict comes in mainly two forms; physical and spoken, and in Act 3 scene 1 of the play the biggest and most devastating fight breaks out where both Mercutio and Tybalt end up being murdered on the streets in front of crowds of people, Act III scene one marks the climax of the play and the point at which Romeo's tragic fortune begins its rapid decline.

In Benvolio's opening words, where he is pleading with Mercutio, Shakespeare makes the audience aware that ' the day is hot' in the

streets of Verona. Being a peacemaker, Benvolio’s fears are that in the heat 'they shall not s'cape a brawl' with fiery Tybalt and the rest of the fellow Capulets. Benvolio also knows that the temperatures are rising and so are people's tempers when he comments that there will be; 'Mad blood-stirring.

This shows that he knows that little is needed to aggravate Tybalt if he wants a fight in this present heat and that Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo's home stating that he wanted to fight him for invading his families’ party. Mercutio then encourages Benvolio to fight, but yet again Benvolio being the peacekeeper would rather walk away and let the Capulets amuse themselves and not get involved.

Mercutio's mood is cocky and his antagonistic behaviour towards Tybalt only encourages him and annoys him further, Shakespeare uses Mercutio's words to make the audience realise that a fight is brewing and that tension is rising between the two feuding families. Mercutio is encouraging Tybalt to fight although he has only arrived to speak with Romeo about the previous night’s event at his house's masked ball; 'And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something; make it a word and a blow.

' All Tybalt wanted to do was speak, whereas Mercutio and his arrogant attitude want a fight, and is edging towards a fight.

As a contrast to this high tension point between the Capulets and Montagues, Romeo enters ecstatically happy after being secretly married to his new love Juliet. No one knows this and now no one knows that he is now related to Tybalt and therefore does not

want to fight him, but the audience knows because of the letter received in Act 2 scene 4. Romeo tries to make them aware of this but no one understands.

Mercutio still insists that he is to fight, claiming that he should do it for his pride; 'O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! ' Here Mercutio is calling him dishonourable, and not worthy of being called a man.

Tybalt is now willing to fight Mercutio; 'I am ready for you! ' Romeo still does not want to fight yet he is under secrecy not to tell about their marriage because he realises that the two houses will disapprove, but if he fights Tybalt it will end in death as the Prince has already declared that if anyone disturbs the streets again; 'Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. ' This means that who ever disturbs the peace of the streets of Verona for the fourth time, shall be punished for their actions and Romeo is aware of this and says; 'Prince expressly hath forbid this bandying in Verona streets. Not only will Prince Escalus threaten Romeo's life if he attacks Tybalt, but Juliet his love will also disapprove, and maybe his new marriage will already be over, so understandably Romeo is cautious. Shakespeare illustrates this to the audience in Romeo's subtle remarks to Tybalt; 'Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting.

' This just means that Romeo has a reason not to fight and a reason to avoid Tybalt but although he is desperate to tell Tybalt he just cannot. Romeo is

determined not to fight Tybalt as he is now his brother in law after marrying Juliet the night before.

Romeo will not fight and because of this Mercutio taunts him and calls him a coward basically because he is not willing to fight Tybalt. So Mercutio does it instead and beckons Tybalt to fight; 'Come sir, your passado! ' Passado is a fencing term, and Tybalt is an expert fencer so Mercutio is mocking him and suggesting he give as good a fight as he can.

As Romeo steps in between these two duelling enemies and Tybalt subtly yet harshly forces a sword or 'rapier' into Mercutio's chest, as quoted from the stage directions; 'Romeo tires to stop the fighting but Tybalt wounds Mercutio. The audience here are now shocked and know that now Romeo has to get involved as his best friend has been wounded. They audience may also be wary about Romeo attacking Tybalt as he may suffer the wrong end of Prince's previous threat. Tybalt soon leaves and runs, maybe fearful of what Romeo or the fellow Montagues will do to him.

As Mercutio is dying and is taking his last breaths he claims he is not hurt but Romeo and Benvolio know he is lying and speak to him before he dies.

He does not make any last requests or wishes he blames Romeo for his death; 'I was hurt under your arm! ' So then he curses both Romeo and Tybalt his two killers; 'A plague on both you houses. ' He is saying that he wants illness and death to come upon them and both of their two families,

he then repeats this twice, just to make these harsh words sound even more taunting. However they are coming out of a dying man and this sentence are his last words the people in Shakespearean times believed this was scarier and believing than if he said it while living and breathing.

Shakespeare's audience at this point would fear for both Romeo and Tybalt because this curse of a dying man was thrust upon them.

Romeo now feels guilty as is mentioned here; 'Hath got his moral hurt in my behalf. ' This shows that he is feeling very guilty, and when Benvolio finds out that Mercutio is dead; 'O Romeo, Romeo! Brave Mercutio is dead. ' Benvolio interrupts suggesting that Romeo should leave before Prince Escalus gets there and punishes Romeo with death or banishment.

Romeo does not listen to Benvolio and runs after Tybalt; Mercutio's Killer, and he now wants revenge for his death. 'And fire-ey'd fury be my conduct now' Tybalt hears Mercutio is dead and comes back; 'Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. ' Romeo's mood turns to anger and he is now blaming Tybalt for his death.

This dramatic change in behaviour came on all of a sudden and his peaceful, loving behaviour turned into impetuous behaviour, this would have been a shock to Shakespeare's audience as it all happens quickly after Mercutio's death.

Romeo confronts him, and claims that some one must join Mercutio in heaven; 'Either thou, or I, or both must go will him. ' He is saying that either he or Tybalt or both of them will have to join Mercutio and die too. They do

and they start to fight and it says in the stage directions that 'Tybalt falls' meaning Romeo has won and now he is the most wanted person for Prince.

Benvolio fear the Prince and others are coming so he tells Romeo to go; 'Romeo, away, be gone! '