Romeo And Juliet Conflict Analysis

How does Shakespeare Present Conflict in Act 3 Scene 1 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

Shakespeare uses a lot of different conflict throughout the play creating either shock, love, surprise, hate and more emotions within the audience. There are four types of conflict: Man vs nature, man vs man, man vs society, man vs self. Shakespeare uses 3 of those. For Act 3 Scene 1, he uses the conflict man vs man, man vs self and man vs society. Mercutio vs Tybalt and Romeo and Benvolio as the other antagonists, Romeo vs Tybalt and Benvolio as the other antagonist and Romeo vs self.

Shakespeare makes a dramatic change from act 2 to act 3. From hope for these two star crossed lovers to Romeo stuck between the family feuds. The temper, anger and sudden violence between Tybalt and Mercutio is surprising and is a drastic jump from peace to violence. Mercutio starts an argument with Tybalt but Tybalt who wants to kill Romeo wants to save his strength for when Romeo arrives although Tybalt and Mercutio end up in a heated argument. After Tybalt insults Mercutio by saying

Shakespeare uses the conflict type man vs self as Romeo now struggles with himself. He is now related to Tybalt through his marriage with Juliet but Tybalt has killed Mercutio a good friend. Tybalt returns and Romeo becomes angry and is enraged by Mercutio’s death so he fights with Tybalt. “That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul. Is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him” meaning “Mercutio’s soul is floating right above our heads. He’s waiting for you to keep him company on the way up to heaven. Either you, or I, or both of us have to go with him.” The conflict type changes from man vs self (Romeo vs himself) to man vs man (Romeo vs Tybalt). Shakespeare uses revenge, rage and sadness from Romeo to want to kill Tybalt. Tybalt is defeated and Romeo is still