Death in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Death in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The Capulet’s and Montague’s have been fighting for many years, and

there are many people to blame for the many deaths which occur in the

play.

First of all, when you begin the play there is a short prologue

(chorus), it mentions anger and violence, but most of all death. “From

ancient grudge break new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands

unclean.” Also “Doth with there death bury there parents strife. The

fearful passage of there death-marked love,” all indicates the anger

and violence which is going to be the ‘traffic’ of the play. The words

“Star-Crossed lovers,” could indicate with the last quote before you

even start the play, that maybe these two people’s love, stops this

unwanted anger and violence between the two families. Plus there love

is written in the stars, so they are fated to fall in love and stop

this uproar between the two families.

In act 1 you start to learn a little about the unrest between the two

families. Sampson and Gregory, servants of the Capulet, are

quarrelling with Abram servant from the Montague’s family. They bit

their thumb at each other as a sign of disrespect and it is rude

gesture. Abram says, “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?” This biting

of the thumb stirs up anger and Benvolio intervenes. Benvolio says,

“Put up your swords, you know not what to do.” As civilians and other

members of both families get involved the prince enters in a ferocious

rage, Prince says, “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, and

profaners of this neighbour –stained steel- Will they not hear? What

ho! You men, you beasts…” As you can see, this is not a one off

occasion.

This could mean that all the rebellious behaviour will come of age

further on in the play when they kill each other. Also this could mean

that the Prince becomes an important role for trying to stop the

deaths of each character, but we cannot tell at this stage, but it is