Rivalries led to rebellion and tragedy
within Shakespeare's, “Romeo and Juliet”. The Montagues and
Capulets were unable to coexist in any way. Their constant feuding
led to their rebellious teenagers. Romeo and Juliet wanted to be
together despite their family feuds, which lead to their tragic
deaths.
Neither the Montagues or Capulets were
safe on the streets of Verona. “What, drawn and talk of peace? I
hate the word/ As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” (act I,
Sc. I, 71-73) This quote illustrates how the Capulets wanted nothing
to do with peace. Tybalt did not care that Romeo wanted peace
between them, his hatred blinded him to the thought. This led to a
fight and the death of Tybalt. “We will have vengeance for it, fear
thou not./ Then weep no more. I'll send to one in Mantua/ Where that
same banished runagate doth live/ Shall give him such an unaccustomed
dram/ That he shall soon keep Tybalt company/ and then, I hope, thou
wilt be satisfied.” (act III, Sc. V, 92-93) Now that Tybalt is dead
and Romeo killed him, Lady Capulet plans on having Romeo killed. She
does not feel that his punishment is enough, she wants him dead. She
is saying this to Juliet, now Juliet is torn between her love for her
family and her new husband.
Romeo and Juliet rebel against their
parents by being together. They want to be together even after they
find out each others last names. “My only love sprung from my only
hate/ too early seen unknown, and known too late!/ Prodigious birth
of love it is to me/ That I must love a loathed enemy.” (act I, Sc.
V, 152-155) Juliet is saying that she loves Romeo even though she is
supposed to hate him. “Deny thy father and refuse thy name/ Or if
thou wilt not, be but sworn my love/ and I'll no longer be a
Capulet.” (act II, Sc. II, 37-39) Juliet is saying that she loves
Romeo so much, she is willing to give up her entire family for him.
They want to be together despite their families and hope that their
reunion will end the feuding. Instead it only leads to tragedy.
Because of their rivalry, tragedy
struck leaving both the Capulets and Montagues with dead children.
Even before the wedding Romeo feared that their love would lead them
to tragedy. “Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can/ It cannot
countervail the exchange of joy/ That one short minute gives me in
her sight/ Do thou but close our hands with holy words/ Then
love-devouring death do what he dare/ It is enough I may but call her
mine.” (act II, Sc. VI, 3-8) Romeo fears that because of the feud
something bad will happen after their marriage. After their deaths,
the two families realize the pointlessness of the feud. “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.” (act V, Sc. III, 302-305) The
prince points out to both families that the feud is the reason they
have to now bury their children.
In conclusion, the feud between the
Montagues and Capulets was the reason for the death of their
children. If the families had gotten along, Romeo and Juliet may
have lived. They wanted to be together despite the fact that they
knew their parents would never agree. Mercutio said it best when he
stated, “a plague o' both houses!” (act 3, Sc. 1, 94) Mercutio
blamed the feud on his death and knew that there would be many more
deaths to follow. The tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet could have
been avoided, if only the rivalries could have ended sooner.
