Violence In Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare

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In the eyes of men, the definition of violence has changed overtime. Some things previously acceptable are not anymore. All the same, the violence in society hasn't decreased by any means; the difference being how it is presented. Mankind has become desensitized to the modern visions of violence, taking forms of media such as movies, books, and games. Centuries ago, it has had violence in more public methods, as well as being more openly viewed as acceptable. It is simply a matter of society. The story of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, shows this. It is set in Verona where the two feuding families - Montagues and Capulets - have heirs who fall in love with each other and from there mentions their struggles. Oftentimes, throughout …show more content…

After getting banished by Prince Escalus, Romeo claims that, to him, “there is no world without Verona walls but purgatory, torture, hell itself. Hence ‘banished’ is ‘banished from the world,’ and world’s exile is death,” (3.3.18-21) and he goes on to pull out a knife and say he would much rather die than be banished. Romeo wishes to be with Juliet, and because he cannot, he chooses death. He seems to be taking death far too lightly, as if death is something normal in a person’s life when it can only occur once and from then on, they would be lifeless, and irreversibly, dead. And death is a great form of violence, even if only to themselves. Juliet accommodates this idea as well, directing to Friar Lawrence, “Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, do thou but call my resolution wise, and with this knife I’ll help it presently.” (4.1.52-55.) She threatens that if he cannot concoct a plan or solution, she would commit suicide right there and then. Both lovers seek refuge in death and the violence from it in attempt to carry out a certain goal, although unseeming. In search of the key to the problem, a domino effect is put into play. As a common saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures,” and this applies in the way Friar Lawrence offers a suggestion which brings to the end of the story. His answer to her resolution is to fake her death and she will meet Romeo in the chambers and they can leave together. Romeo never receives the message of this plan and in effect, believes she is truly dead and - yet again - chooses to die. Then there is Juliet’s death and finally, the end of the feud with “a glooming peace [the] morning with it brings. To sun for sorrow will not show his head.” (5.3.316-317.) Moreover, Lord Capulet words exhibit the central idea of violence, only in a form of ferocity in

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