Romeo and Juliet
Understanding the conflict
Conflict
A struggle between
opposing forces
Internal Conflict
• The character is in
conflict with themselves
Person vs. self
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. self
Romeo’s depression
• Description of Conflict:
He is absorbed in the despair that has
come from unrequited love.
Conflict
Romeo vs. himself
• Resolution: Romeo forgets about
Rosaline and the affection he had for
her upon seeing Juliet. He falls in
love with Juliet at first sight and she
returns his love.
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. self
Juliet and her choice to take the potion.
• Description of Conflict:
Juliet must decide whether or not to
take the potion that Friar Lawrence
gave her.
Conflict
Juliet vs. herself
• Resolution: Juliet finally takes the
potion
• Plan B – she hides a dagger under
her pillow.
External Conflict
• A character in conflict with an
outside force.
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Fate
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. person
The Montagues vs. Capulets
• Description of Conflict:
The two families are involved in a feud
that has become violent.
Conflict
Montagues vs. Capulets
• Resolution: Upon the death of their
children, both families come to an
understanding and offer each other
symbols of forgiveness.
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. person
Romeo vs. Tybalt
• Description of Conflict:
Tybalt is angry because Romeo came to
Capulet party without an invitation.
Conflict
Romeo vs. banishment
• Resolution –
– Tybalt confronts Romeo
– Romeo refuses to fight
– Mercutio fights Tybalt and dies
– Romeo seeks revenge and fights Tybalt
– Tybalt is killed
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. person
Juliet vs. Lord Capulet
• Description of Conflict: Juliet refuses
to marry Paris, the man chosen for
her by her father. Lord Capulet
threatens to disown her.
Conflict
Juliet vs. Lord Capulet
• Resolution: Under the advice of
Friar Lawrence, Juliet agrees to
marry Paris, but takes a sleeping
potion before the wedding. She is
mistaken for dead and buried by her
grieving parents.
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. society
Romeo vs. banishment
• Description of Conflict:
The law states that Romeo should
pay with his life
Conflict
Romeo vs. banishment
• Resolution –
He was banished to Mantua and never
to return to Verona or face the
penalty of death
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. society
Juliet vs. marriage
• Description of Conflict:
Society says that it is time for Juliet to
marry, but it is a concept that she
knows little about
Conflict
Juliet vs. Marriage
• Resolution –
Juliet marries for love. She marries
Romeo and rebels against her
parents’ wishes for her to marry
Paris
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. nature
Friar John vs. the plague
• Description of Conflict:
Friar John was not able to deliver the
letter out of fear that he may have
been exposed to the plague
Conflict
Friar John vs. the plague
• Resolution –
– Balthasar gets to Romeo first and tells
him Juliet is dead.
– Friar rushes to Juliet’s tomb to get her
out and hide her until she can be
reunited with Romeo
Conflict in Romeo & Juliet
• Type: person vs. fate
Romeo vs. dreams
• Description of Conflict:
Romeo has several dreams
throughout the story that predict his
untimely death
Conflict
Romeo vs. dreams
• Resolution: Romeo contemplates
these dreams, but never takes their
warnings seriously.