Poetry Romeo and Juliet

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Compare the ways writers’ show the extent to which experiences of conflict change people’s ideas of it in “Romeo and Juliet” and a selection of WW1 Poetry. Conflict is presented in many different ways in the play “Romeo and Juliet” and a selection of WW1 Poetry. Also some characters in “Romeo and Juliet” and some poets change their view of conflict as a result of their experiences. In the beginning of the play “Romeo and Juliet” Romeo’s idea about conflict was that it is a negative experience. We know this because he says “ ”. This tells us that he is more of a passive character and that he doesn’t like to be involved in any confrontations. When compared to the poem “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke you can see the naivety of the poem because Brooke lacks experience of conflict so he doesn’t fear what could happen to him whilst he is at war because he is very inexperienced. But throughout the play due to his experiences his view on conflict changes to that it is fine to do something bad if it is to get what he wants, which is to be with Juliet. We know this because as we read on we find out that he kills Tybalt and Paris to be with Juliet. This is also similar to the poem “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke. This is because the poem is all about his love for his country, just like Romeo’s love for Juliet, and that he will always fight if it is for his country and that fighting is the right thing to do because there is a reason behind it. It is like the love that Brooke has for his country has blinded him, just like Romeo’s love for Juliet has blinded him and he will do anything to be with her. Mercutio, from “Romeo and Juliet”, thinks that conflict is needed to support his honor and to make people think he is not a ‘wimp’. We know this because he says “Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; I will not budge for no man’s pleasure”
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