Good drama has conflict: struggle between opposing forces. What conflicts are set in motion by the events in Act I, Scene V?
Many conflicts are set in motion in Act I, Scene V in Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. Readers definitely experience a conflict between Tybalt and Romeo. Even though an actual conflict is avoided because of Lord Capulet, Tybalt's intentions to attack and harm Romeo are evident. When he says, "This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy...I'll not endure him," he displays his intentions to hurt Romeo. For sure, Tybalt wants to confront Romeo and hurt him.
Although the most well-known conflict in Romeo and Juliet is the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets, there are also conflicts and disagreements within the families. In Act I, Scene V, Tybalt and Lord Capulet have a heated argument over Romeo's presence at a Capulet party, since Romeo was not invited, as he was a Montague. Lord Capulet's lines, "He shall be endur'd. What, goodman boy! I say she shall; go to! Am I the master here, or you? Go to! You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!" clearly show his annoyance at Tybalt. Even though this conflict is not on a huge scale, it is still an important and evident conflict within Act I, Scene V.
Compare Romeo's reaction to Juliet's when each discovers the true identity of the other. How are they alike? How are they different? What would your reaction be?
Both Romeo and Juliet were extremely surprised when they discovered the identity of the other. Romeo seemed to be disappointed and even a slight bit mad that she was a Capulet. Juliet seems extremely upset, as well as mad at herself for not realizing who Romeo was. She also appears to think that their relationship is doomed. When the line, "What a costly account! My life is at the mercy of my enemy," is spoken, one can infer that Romeo is feeling very disappointed because he would not be able to be with Juliet, as well as worried, for Juliet would have major control over his life. Juliet says "My only love springs from my only hate! I saw him too early when I didn't know him, and now I realize who he is too late! This is a horrible beginning to love." She sounds devastated that she would not be able to have a future with Romeo, and it can be assumed that she is mad at herself for not realizing who he was earlier, based on her choice of words. When Romeo and Juliet discovered each other's identity, they had similar, yet different reactions.
If I were placed in the situation that Romeo and Juliet were in, I would probably have a similar reaction. I would completely devastated that I wouldn't be able to be with the person I truly loved. I would be extremely furious with my family, for sure. Chances are, I would probably argue with them until I got what I wanted and could be with the other. Just because your families don't get along, why would you let that ruin your life? I think I would probably react like Romeo and Juliet did in the book if I were in their situation because I completely understand why they felt the way they did and agree with their views.
Vocabulary:
adversary: a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe
disparagement: something that derogates or casts in a bad light, as a remark or censorious essay
pernicious: causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful
posterity: succeeding or future generations collectively
propagate: to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent's stock
