Values in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Essay Example)

William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, consists of societal values that inspire conflict to Romeo. These societal values which cause Romeo conflict include the hatred between the Montagues and Capulets, and Romeo’s societal value of love. Regarding the relation between societal values and conflict, the societal value between the Montagues and Capulets causes different conflicts to Romeo. An example of the societal values between the Montagues and Capulets causing Romeo’s conflict is shown in Act 1, Scene 5 when Romeo crashes a party held by the Capulet household. Tybalt realises this, and decides to later duel Romeo as a consequence. “Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, / A villain that is hither come in spite / To scorn at our solemnity this night.”(Romeo and Juliet. I. v. 69-71). Later in Act 3, Scene 1, Tybalt provokes Romeo with intents of violence in influence to the societal values of the Capulets. “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries / That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.”(III. I. 67-68). These quotations show how Tybalt, being influenced by the societal values of the Capulet family regarding the Montague family, causes Romeo conflict with individuals. Another conflict which Romeo faces due to the societal values of the Montagues and Capulets is conflict with love. Evidence is found in Act 1, Scene 5 when Romeo is crashing the party of the Capulets. Romeo, at the party discovers and obtains Juliet’s love but later realizes that Juliet is a Capulet. Romeo staggers to this realization and says: “Is she a Capulet? / O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.”(I. v. 131-132). This quotation expresses Romeo’s haplessness to his realisation that Juliet was his enemies daughter(my foe’s debt). Romeo’s temporary conflict with love is inspired by the hatred between the Montagues and Capulets, demonstrating how societal values cause conflict to Romeo.