Romeo & Juliet Exam Question: Violence and Conflict

A model answer for the past paper question about the theme of Violence and Conflict. Includes relevant quotes and a detailed analysis of the character.

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the
question that follows.

At this point in the play, Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio have encountered the Capulet’s in a
public area.
MERCUTIO
Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withal,
and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the
eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears? make haste, lest mine be
about your ears ere it be out.
TYBALT
I am for you.
Drawing
ROMEO
Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
MERCUTIO
Come, sir, your passado.
They fight
ROMEO
Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!
Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath
Forbidden bandying in Verona streets:
Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!
TYBALT under ROMEO’s arm stabs MERCUTIO, and flies with his followers
MERCUTIO
I am hurt. A plague o’ both your houses! I am sped. Is he gone, and hath nothing?

Explore how Shakespeare presents family honour in Romeo and Juliet. Write about:
How Shakespeare presents violence and conflict at this moment in the play.
How Shakespeare presents violence and conflict in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]