DKVyp3r- ExPeRiEnCe ThE FeEliNg tO PwN
Shakespeare explores revenge and its destructive consequences firstly by setting the play Romeo and Juliet in the middle of an ongoing vendetta between two families. He then shows the consequences of revenge through the deaths of two main characters, Mercutio and Tybalt. Finally he delivers a moral lesson at the end - that no good comes from revenge - shown by the deaths of the young lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo and Juliet begins with a street brawl in Verona, Italy. The brawl is between the Capulets and the Montagues, which are both known for their “ancient grudge” for each other. No one has a clue on how this family feud started and the consequences of the feud are slowly destroying the city. The Prince is doing everything in his power to stop it. Shakespeare intentionally created this grudge as a backdrop for revenge and counter revenge. The love interest between Romeo and Juliet is set against this backdrop and this is where problems start to arise which dooms the lives of the protagonists entirely. The prologue states that it is the strife which dooms Romeo and Juliet, no matter what the actions of the protagonists. Romeo and Juliet is just as much an exploration of violence and revenge as it is of love.
One of the ways Shakespeare has shown us the destructive consequences of revenge is with the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt. These two deaths occur half way through the text and represent the turning point for Romeo and his relationship with Juliet. Tybalt set out for vengeance due to his aggressive and hostile personality against the Montagues and this leads to the death of Mercutio. Romeo at first tried to keep peace between the two families as he is now a relative of the Capulets and he doesn’t want to put Juliet on the line. When the death of Mercutio occurs, Romeo is overridden with revenge and “Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now,” is clearly proof of this. The quote shows us that anyone in deep love and that is trying to keep peace in order can change to seek vengeance. This leads to the deaths of Tybalt. With the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, Shakespeare is clearly showing us what revenge leads to and that people can change.
Another way Shakespeare has shown us the destructive consequences of revenge is with the deaths of the two most important people of the text, Romeo and Juliet. The deaths of our heroes are the final act of violence which shows us that in love and vengeance "all are punished.” This shows us that nothing good comes out of getting revenge or counter revenge. Shakespeare has left us a clear piece of evidence to prove this which is that both families are left bereft and the text is ended as a tragedy. This shows us that neither family has gained nothing, no respect, no dignity and no fortune. They have only lost the lives of their loved ones in exchange for revenge. With the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare is showing us with clear evidence that no good comes from revenge and that there is no real benefit from it.
Shakespeare explores revenge by creating a family rivalry between the Capulets and the Montagues and setting a love interest against it. In doing so, Shakespeare shows us the destructive consequences of revenge such as the deaths of Mercutio, Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet. In this text, revenge is clearly the stronger force as it overpowered the decisions of Romeo who is madly in love and it has left him dead along with the person he loves. Shakespeare’s writing is still relevant today as many of the novels and films still have a strong flavor of revenge that runs through the film such as “Inglorious Basterds.” One thing I have learnt from this text is that revenge leads you to a dead end and it’s not the right choice.
Romeo and Juliet begins with a street brawl in Verona, Italy. The brawl is between the Capulets and the Montagues, which are both known for their “ancient grudge” for each other. No one has a clue on how this family feud started and the consequences of the feud are slowly destroying the city. The Prince is doing everything in his power to stop it. Shakespeare intentionally created this grudge as a backdrop for revenge and counter revenge. The love interest between Romeo and Juliet is set against this backdrop and this is where problems start to arise which dooms the lives of the protagonists entirely. The prologue states that it is the strife which dooms Romeo and Juliet, no matter what the actions of the protagonists. Romeo and Juliet is just as much an exploration of violence and revenge as it is of love.
One of the ways Shakespeare has shown us the destructive consequences of revenge is with the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt. These two deaths occur half way through the text and represent the turning point for Romeo and his relationship with Juliet. Tybalt set out for vengeance due to his aggressive and hostile personality against the Montagues and this leads to the death of Mercutio. Romeo at first tried to keep peace between the two families as he is now a relative of the Capulets and he doesn’t want to put Juliet on the line. When the death of Mercutio occurs, Romeo is overridden with revenge and “Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now,” is clearly proof of this. The quote shows us that anyone in deep love and that is trying to keep peace in order can change to seek vengeance. This leads to the deaths of Tybalt. With the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, Shakespeare is clearly showing us what revenge leads to and that people can change.
Another way Shakespeare has shown us the destructive consequences of revenge is with the deaths of the two most important people of the text, Romeo and Juliet. The deaths of our heroes are the final act of violence which shows us that in love and vengeance "all are punished.” This shows us that nothing good comes out of getting revenge or counter revenge. Shakespeare has left us a clear piece of evidence to prove this which is that both families are left bereft and the text is ended as a tragedy. This shows us that neither family has gained nothing, no respect, no dignity and no fortune. They have only lost the lives of their loved ones in exchange for revenge. With the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare is showing us with clear evidence that no good comes from revenge and that there is no real benefit from it.
Shakespeare explores revenge by creating a family rivalry between the Capulets and the Montagues and setting a love interest against it. In doing so, Shakespeare shows us the destructive consequences of revenge such as the deaths of Mercutio, Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet. In this text, revenge is clearly the stronger force as it overpowered the decisions of Romeo who is madly in love and it has left him dead along with the person he loves. Shakespeare’s writing is still relevant today as many of the novels and films still have a strong flavor of revenge that runs through the film such as “Inglorious Basterds.” One thing I have learnt from this text is that revenge leads you to a dead end and it’s not the right choice.
