Also Montague And Lady Montague example essay topic

"Romeo and Juliet" opens up its first scene with Sampson and Gregory (Capulet servants) boasting about "Cutting off the maid's heads". I think this is effective because it makes the play seem realistic. The audience will recognise the typical men and also how the scene opens in a public place. Basically the scene is about conflict and love, bringing a striking contrast into the scene. Sampson starts the conflict brought on by an "ancient grudge" by "biting his thumb" at Montague servants.

The result is threat of execution, "on pain of death". The whole scene happens very quickly and the amount of contrast gives the scene excitement and pace. This would keep the audiences' attention and help them enjoy the play more; they'd have to concentrate to keep track of what's going on. Not only are the contrasts between subjects of the scene, firstly the intense conflict and then sudden calm, tranquil conversation about love but also contrast between words, for example, oxymorons. "Oh brawling love", "bright smoke", "cold fire" and "sick health". Oxymorons were a very popular technique in the days of Shakespeare.

In the prologue the audience are promised there is "ancient grudge" and this statement is well and truly confirmed. The conflict was started by "ancient grudge"; we know this because Montague says "this ancient quarrel new a broach". All throughout the scene it explores the theme of conflict and is always present in many forms and on many levels. Obviously the main conflict is between Capulets and Montagues.

This is "war" between the two different families which everybody knows about and brings disturbance to the town and aggravated the town's people. A lot of the Capulet verses Montague is to do with family honour. The whole family knew they should be against each other but are not sure why. The "family honour" is so great that even the servants take the role of being against each other. The servants are the ones who "set this ancient quarrel new a broach" in the scene. On the other hand there is also inner conflict inside the families, Capulet and Lady Capulet have very slight argument in which Lady Capulet bitterly says "A crutch, a crutch!

Why you call for a sword?" Also Montague and Lady Montague have similar snaps each other. "Let me go"Thou shall not stir one foot to seek a foe". This suggests that there is a slight lack of trust in the relationship. Another example of inner conflict, but this much deeper is when Romeo appears to be fighting himself. "Tut I have lost myself" is what he says when having a long conversation with Benvolio.

The Prince and citizens of the town are joined together in disliking the Montagues and Capulets. In my opinion I think this scene is perfect to explain the pointlessness of conflict. These families are fighting "On pain of death" and surely nothing is worth death. Also these families are likely not to even know what they are fighting because the "grudge" is so "ancient". Also being hated by your fellow citizens is surely not a desired feeling.

The extent of the conflict has no need to be questioned. It's obvious that the feud is massive and effecting a great amount of people. The citizens are almost protesting against these families by shouting "Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike, beat them down Down with the Capulets! Down with the Motagues!" Tybalt uses very strong and powerful words to get the point across of the hate between the two families. "As I hate hell, all Motagues".

The threat of death once again shows how much effect this feud has on the town. "Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets!" Throughout the scene the audience is introduced to many characters. These characters are mainly introduced while the opening conflict happens. We get a small, judgemental taste of what some of the characters are like; Tybalt is obviously very aggressive and fierce. Benvolio describes him to be "The fiery Tybalt".

Benvolio is very honest, fair and looks at both perspectives. He explains to Montague how their servants were also fighting. We also meet the heads of both families who appear to be very similar. Romeo is introduced with his troubles with a girl who "will not be hit with Cupid's arrow" On the whole I think that the opening scene of "Romeo and Juliet" is very effective gives us a fair idea of what the play I going to be like..