International Perspectives on Human Conflict and Violence

Shakespeare and the general population of the Earth have an

unenthusiastic yet anticipating view of human conflict and violence. This can

be discerned from the classic Shakespeare play, Romeo & Juliet. For the

purpose of study, Shakespeare’s view of conflict and violence represents the

general consensus of old England. The modern world views Romeo & Juliet

as a tragedy, therefore allowing one to believe that the beliefs which

Shakespeare inserted into the play are the beliefs of the majority of the

world. There are many indications of Shakespeare’s beliefs within Romeo &

Juliet. By examining the text of the play, one will agree that Shakespeare

highly disregarded conflict and violence but knew it was inevitable.

The fight in the first scene of the play represents a significant

introduction to the two families’ mutual hate. Sampson states that “a dog of

the house of Montague moves me” (R&J 1.1.8), expressing his hate toward

the Montagues. Romeo & Juliet is built upon a base of hatred, as can be seen

from Sampson’s statement. Shakespeare was obviously aware of the fact

that hatred is unavoidable in human nature. One might even conclude that

he placed the hatred at the forefront of the play because of its great

presence in society. In lines 1.1.65-73, a swordfight takes place between

servants of the Capulets and Tybalt of the Montagues. This represents

Shakespeare’s knowledge that violence is inescapable.

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 Although Shakespeare was aware that conflict and violence are

inevitable, he disapproved of both. This can be discerned from the prince’s

speech in 1.1.83-105. The Prince referred to both the Capulets and

Montagues as “enemies to peace” (R&J 1.1.83) and “you men, you beasts

that quench the fire of your pernicious rage” (R&J 1.1.85-86). The prince

continuedto state that the men “have thrice disturbed the quiet of our

streets” (R&J 1.1.93). Clearly, neither the prince nor Shakespeare

approvedof violence.

Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence, all considered to be “good people”

in Romeo & Juliet, disapprove of conflict and violence as well. In the balcony

scene, Romeo says, “my name, dear saint, is hateful to myself because it is

an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word” (R&J 2.2.60-62).

Obviously, since Romeo would change his name for Juliet, he disliked the war

between the Capulets and Montagues. After learning that Romeo was from

the Montague house, Juliet exclaimed that “my only love sprung from my

only hate!” (R&J 1.1.152). She was obviously in love with Romeo, and was

heartbroken to learn that Romeo was unattainable because of the two

houses’ ancient grudge. Therefore, Juliet disliked conflict. When Romeo

requested for Friar Lawrence to wed Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence readily

agreed with the hopeful statement of “for this alliance may so happy prove

to turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (R&J 2.3.98-99). Friar Lawrence

hoped to end the feud because he condemned the hatred between the two

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houses. All of these characters’ words are the work of Shakespeare.

Consequently, Shakespeare disapproved of conflict and violence.

Another opinion comes from a man of neither of the two houses; he is

the prince’s kinsman and Romeo’s friend. Mercutio fought alongside Romeo

and Benvolio during the fight in Act 3, Scene 1 of Romeo & Juliet. After being

tragically stabbed by Tybalt, Mercutio angrily yelled “a plague o’er both

houses! I am sped” (R&J 3.1.94). He was fatally injured by a man of the

house of Capulet, and had decided that the war between the houses was

completely and utterly pointless. In one statement, Mercutio delivered an

extremely strong message about the conflict between the houses: the feud

should stop, or else innocent lives will be taken over insignificant matters.

He strongly disapproved of violence.

As can be determined from the previous argument, Shakespeare, and

consequently old England, believed thatconflict and violence were both

undesirable and inevitable. Shakespeare highly disapproved of violence and

condemned it to the fullest extent. However, he knew that it and conflict

were unavoidable, so he had to include them in Romeo & Juliet. One might

even say that Shakespeare based the play on hatred because he wanted to

inform the world of its evil consequences.

This disapproval of conflict and violence can be translated to the

modern world. One can assume that today’s population condemns conflict

and violence because of the fact that the world views Romeo & Julietas a

tragedy. The sole reason for this is that two lovers committed suicide

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because love was not attainable due to conflict. Therefore, the world

believes that conflict and violence should neither interfere with love nor even

exist.

In conclusion, one can see from the above argument that conflict and

violence are highly disregarded in both modern and old times. Through the

examination of Shakespeare’s play Romeo & Juliet, this statement has been

justified. Shakespeare and the world, in general, disapprove of violence.

However, they are aware of the fact that due to human nature, violence and

conflict are inevitable. I, for one, believe that beliefs “are leading us,

inexorably, tokill one another” (Harris 12). If people continue to base their

actions on their beliefs, the population of the Earth will eventually wipe itself

out. This is essentially what happened in Romeo & Juliet; the two lovers

killed themselves because of the hatred between the two houses. I hope

that the world comes to its senses about conflict and violence and finally

ends all the unnecessary death in the world.

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 Works Cited

Harris, Sam. The End of Faith. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004.
Shakespeare, William. Romeo & Juliet. New York: Pocket Books, 1992.

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