Lyla Almonina 

English l 
Period 3 
 
William Shakespeare, author of the play, Romeo and Juliet, tells the tragic love story of two 

teens named Romeo and Juliet. The teens love each other, but their families are enemies - which 

prevents them from being together. In the end, the two lovers feel the only way to be together is in 

death. Throughout the play, Shakespeare expresses his belief that conflicts have severe consequences, 

through c​ onflicts, character interactions, and character actions. 

To begin with, Shakespeare displays character conflicts that occur in the course of this tragic 

love story. As an example, the text states: P

​ rince ​“If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall 

pay the forfeit of the peace.” (​Act 1, Scene 1, lines 98-99)​ Moreover, the Montagues and Capulets have 

a big quarrel in the street. Since they decided to fight, the Prince declared that he would have them all 

killed if they were to fight again, as a resulting punishment. This is a severe consequence for both 

families, considering of the unacceptable riot that has happened. Later on, another conflict transpires in 

the novel. For instance, the text expresses: ​Mercutio “​ Help me into some house, Benvolio, Or I shall 

faint. A plague o’ both your houses!” (​Act 3 Scene 1, lines 110-111)​ Tybalt strongly hates Romeo 

because of his affection towards Juliet. He decides to challenge him to a dual, so the Capulets and 

Montagues get into another serious brawl. Romeo tries to stop the fighting, but Tybalt stabs Mercutio. 

This situation lead to the result of Mercutio’s death. Because of the fights, or conflicts, occurring 

between both families, their corresponding consequence was to get killed.  

Nevertheless, Shakespeare conveys interactions between characters that eventuate throughout 

the novel. In particular, the text asserts; R

​ omeo ​ “Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again that late thou 

gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul is but a little way above our heads. Either thou, or I, or both must go with 
him.” (Act 3, Scene 1 lines 85-90) T
​ ybalt ​ “Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here shalt with 

him hence.” (Act 3, Scene 1 lines 91-93 ) Notably, Romeo becomes outraged that Tybalt has killed 

Mercutio. Romeo is so hurt and affected with Mercutio’s death, through their interaction, he chooses to 

kill Tybalt. This is a serious consequence for Tybalt, because he is guilty for killing Mercutio, for the 

heavy conflict that has just occured. Subsequently, another variant argument arises in the Capulet 

mansion. According to the text, it states; J​ uliet ​“Good father, I beseech you on my knees. Hear me with 

patience but to speak a word.” (Act 3, Scene 5 lines 157-158) ​Capulet “​ Hang thee, young baggage, 

disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get to thee church o’ thursday, or never after look me in the face. 

Speak not; reply not; do not answer me.” (Act 3, Scene 1 lines 160-164) In this connection, Juliet and 

her father have a quarrel in their household. Since Juliet doesn’t want to marry Paris, her consequence is 

to get ejected by her own family, as said by her father. In view of Juliet not wanting to obey Capulet, her 

upshot is to leave their mansion and never return back.  

In the third order, character actions are also exhibited throughout this fiction. Specifically, the 

book indicates; ​Juliet “​ Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink. I drink to thee.” (Act 4, Scene 3 lines 

60-61) Due to Juliet’s unwillingness to marry Paris, she resolves this conflict by the action of consuming 

a sleeping potion; that will make her appear dead. She executes this plan, made by Friar Laurence, in the 

hopes that she’ll be able to live the rest of her life with Romeo. This is a severe consequence for Juliet, 

because it is unconfirmed whether the devised strategy will go as planned, or not. Thereafter, the most 

terrible conflict leads to an unbearable punishment for the families. As stated by the text; ​Prince 

“Capulet, Montague, see what scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys 

with love and I, for winking at your discords too, have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.” (Act 

5, Scene 3 lines 306 - 310) The many conflicts, and the grudge that both families have had against each 
other resulted in Romeo and Juliet’s death. Their severe consequence is being punished and having to 

live with bereavement.  

From these facts, one may conclude that in the form of character conflicts, interactions, and 

actions, it is observed that Shakespeare conveys his belief that conflicts have severe consequences. With 

all the many conflicts that occur within the story of Romeo and Juliet, it is expressed that disagreements 

and arguments always lead to a bad result of actions and outcomes. The reader can specifically observe, 

here, that the characters in the story continually make inadequate decisions to gain revenge on their 

adversaries. Therefore, the after effect is consistently undesirable punishments and rue. As a real-world 

connection, ​“Teenagers are not able to understand the weight of love; the emotional pain that 

heartbreak can cause.” T

​ he reader can believe that this statement is accurate. In the novel, Romeo and 

Juliet were adolescent. They don’t have much experience on relationships and on what love actually is. 

The reader can learn a lot from this connection. Being able to understand the weight of love is one 

action to stop emotional heartbreaks, just like what happened to Romeo and Juliet. When in a 

relationship, you have to be devoted, and be ready to face any problems. You have to be ready to make 

sacrifices and promises to the one you’re willing to love and care for. True love is a process; and it takes 

lots of time to build up.