Overview
This set covers key conflict quotes from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," highlighting themes of family feud, loyalty, violence, and internal struggle.
Family Feud & Hostility
- "Two households, both alike in dignity" introduces the powerful Montague and Capulet families and their status in Verona.
- "Ancient grudge" refers to the long-standing feud between the Montagues and Capulets.
- "A plague on both your houses" is Mercutio cursing both families for their feud, blaming them for his death.
- "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?" shows how even minor insults inflame the family conflict.
Parental Authority & Obedience
- "Disobedient wretch" is Lord Capulet scolding Juliet for defying him, emphasizing expectations of obedience in families.
Internal Conflict & Divided Loyalties
- "Deny thy father, and refuse thy name" shows Juliet struggling between love for Romeo and loyalty to her family.
- "That villain cousin would have killed my husband" captures Juliet's emotional turmoil over Tybalt's death and loyalty to Romeo.
Violence & Aggression
- "Turn and draw" shows Tybalt as a violent instigator, always ready to fight.
- "'Peace, fools!'" is Benvolio's attempt to stop fighting, trying to establish peace.
Love vs. Conflict
- "O brawling love! O loving hate!" uses oxymorons to highlight how love and conflict are intertwined in the play.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ancient grudge — The long-standing hatred between the Montagues and Capulets.
- Obedient — Expected behavior of children, particularly daughters, towards parental rules in the play.
- Oxymoron — A figure of speech combining contradictory terms, such as "brawling love."
Action Items / Next Steps
- Memorize at least five key quotes and their significance for essay use.
- Review the role of conflict in shaping character motivations and plot development.