Disaster Foreshadowing in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Disaster Foreshadowing in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

This essay will develop some important points, which may suggest why

the play "Romeo and Juliet" is heading for disaster.

The play begins with a fight between a group of the "Capulets" and

"Montagues". The two families have bitterly despised each other over

generations and consequently they are constantly stirring up trouble.

At last the Prince issues an ultimatum stating,

"If ever you disturb our streets again"

"Your lives will pay the forfeit of the peace". This means that if

there were any more trouble someone would pay with his or her life.

Therefore, the very first part of the play informs the reader that

violence and hate are significant in the book.

Tybalt is a traditional "Capulet", he loves to pick a fight with his

enemy, the Montagues, and he is not afraid to kill. He shows this when

he says, "To strike Romeo dead I hold it not a sin". We can also see

from Tybalts character that he enjoys fighting for he hates the word

peace, as he "hates hell all Montagues and thee". Throughout the play

we can find phrases pointing out Tybalt's hate for the Montagues. He

mentions, "Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford",

"No better term than this: thou art a villain", It could be that

Tybalt here is trying to stir up trouble for another fight.

Friar Lawrence seems to be an educated man. He thinks situations

through and always acts for the best. This is shown when he marries

Romeo to Juliet even though he knows Romeo has just met her, he also

knows how fast Romeo can change his opinion of girls for he had

forgotten about his true love Rosaline as soon as he met Juliet. He

says

"Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear

So soon forgotten?"

He marries them though for he thinks it may have a chance of stopping

the Capulets and the Montagues from endless war. The Friar also knows

how, "These violent delights have violent ends".