Romeo And Juliet Conflict Essay Plan

With close reference to Act 3 scene 1, explore the language and stage directions used to present the theme of conflict in Romeo and Juliet.

A guide to writing your essay:
This is simply a suggested structure. Remember to use the PEE structure in each paragraph. Use the title to focus your essay.

Introduction

How important a theme is conflict to the play?
Where else in the play have we seen conflict?
Link these ideas to how conflict is presented in Act 3 Scene 1.

Paragraph one
Irony- before this scene R&j marry. The Friar hopes this will reunite the two families!
Pathetic fallacy- repetition of words to do with heat- something is going to happen, tempers will be lost!
Warnings about the Capulets.
Mercutio tells of all the fights Benvolio has been in- words to do with conflict- foreshadows (predicts) the future fight.
Structure of a tragedy- this is the mid-way point.

Paragraph Two
Tybalt’s entrance- highly dramatic. Think about what we know of Tybalt’s character.
Tybalt uses false politeness- looking for Romeo- tension, fight will ensue.
Tybalt and Mercutio fight with their words.
Does Mercutio draw his sword? How would the audience react?
How does Benvolio take control of conflict? (lines 49-52)
Are there any issues raised regarding a public/private conflict? (Lines 49-54).

Paragraph three
Romeo’s entrance- dramatic tension, effect on audience.
How does Tybalt’s aggressive language imply that he seeks conflict with Romeo?
Discuss how Romeo’s language implies that he wants to avoid conflict.
Consider Mercutio’s insults and how he creates verbal conflict (lines 72-74, 76-81).
Consider stage directions- who draws their sword first? Consider the effect on the audience.

Paragraph Four
Comment on the irony of Romeo’s e.g. ‘Draw’ and ‘Beat’.
Comment on Mercutio’s repetition of ‘A plague o’both your houses’ (clue: think about the ending of the play and the significance of the word ‘both’).
Is Romeo to blame for Mercutio’s death
Imagery evoked by Mercutio’s language (link to Tybalt being ‘King of Cats’, puns) (105-7).
Look at the effect of Romeo’s love for Juliet on his view of the conflict (lines 109-115).
Think if the report that Mercutio is dead and look at the language used by Romeo which suggests that tragedy has begun.

Paragraph Five

What is Tybalt’s mood as he returns to the scene? What would the audience be expecting?
How have Romeo’s opinions of the conflict changed? (look at his language, including the metaphors he uses to describe death lines 122-129).
How do Benvolio’s lines (131-135) create dramatic tension?
Look at Romeo’s reaction to Tybalt’s death and his exit.

Paragraph Six
Consider the stage directions
Enter Citizens
Look at the language of conflict (synonyms for fight).
Study Benvolio’s bias account of conflict; focus on the language he uses to refer to the other characters.
Discuss the consequences of conflict.