Four Conflicts in Romeo X Juliet

Regardless of Shakespeare’s original text or Sonia Leong’s manga adaptation, we can clearly observe two conflicts in both works. One is the conflict between the Montague and the Capulet, and the other is the conflict between parent and child, especially Lord Capulet and Juliet. Nevertheless, in the anime adaptation, the thematical conflicts have been enlarged into four conflicts in a broader sense: the noble versus the commoners, the Montague versus the Capulet, father versus sons (Lord Montague versus Romeo and Tybalt), and pursuit for the public’s welfare versus individual happiness.

In the beginning of the anime, it portrays a sharp contrast between the poor commoners and the noble under the Montague’s tyrannical rule. From Montague’s

perspective, he considers that people are no different to a fruit of a grapevine which can be plucked or crushed when the noble find them useful. In Episode 1, Doctor says:

“In past times, hands stretched out from the Keep to help the poor and the diseased.

Neo Verona has truly changed since Montague became the Duke. Now it is only the nobility who can enjoy profit and wealth.” From Doctor’s comment, the audience can understand the present situation of Neo Verona without much explanation, and they are encouraged to stand on the same side with the Capulet. Besides, the conflict between the commoners and the noble leads to another serious issue – moral corruption of humanities.

The best example of human beings’ moral deterioration can be revealed in the role of Friar, who represents “the way of all men” as Tybalt criticizes in Episode 8.

For instance, in Episode 3, when Doctor discovers Friar’s betrayal by giving out information to ingratiate himself with the noble, Friar does not admit his fault but answers: “We are commoners, the lowest class of society. We simply do not have power to defy the Duke….There are times when anyone would sell their soul to save their own skin….In the end, people have no choice but to bow to the rulers. They have no way to survive.”

Friar’s speech reminds us of two points. The first is about the apothecary in Shakespeare’s original text. In order to make a living, the apothecary ignores the law and sells illegal drug to Romeo. Here, the apothecary and Friar are in the same situation. Both of them choose to survive and discard their morality and conscience.

The second point is that Friar’s downfall as a clergy highlights the harsh condition of the surroundings and common people’s powerless resistance to the upper class. Even if Friar represents the symbol of spirit and morality, he cannot help but fall into corruption when dealing with material needs.

Second, enmity between the two households is not plainly explained in Shakespeare’s play. However, in the anime adaptation, the conflict between two households results from Leontes Montague’s rooted hatred toward the House of Capulet. Lenotes Montague was the son of a prostitute and his father was the noble from the Capulet. Being abandoned as a child, Montague decides to seek his revenge on the whole House of Capulet. After his mother dies, he is adopted by the Montague House. To achieve his goal and obtain power, he murders the heir of the Montague and then becomes the head of the Montague House. Later, he revolts against the Capulet, kills the whole Capulet House, and therefore results in the Capulet’s

resentment to the Montague. Although this setting of hatred undoubtedly differs from the original text, it dramatizes the plots and provides more possibilities for the

audience to conceive how the animosity will be solved through Romeo and Juliet’s love.

Third, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Leong’s manga adaptation, they focus on how Juliet rebels against her father under the patriarchal system and fights for her freedom and autonomy. Similar conflict between parent and children can also be discovered in the anime adaptation. Nevertheless, the family strife turns into father-and-son relationship, Montague and two of his sons, Romeo and Tybalt.

In Episode 10, this is the first time when Romeo rebels against his father. Romeo purposes to pardon Juliet, but his suggestion is refused in the parliament. Then, in Episode 14, Romeo argues with his father again. He admits his strong love for Juliet in spite of her birth as a Capulet and conveys his will that he shall spend his life with her. Romeo’s announcement makes Montague enraged, and then Romeo is banished to Gradisca Mines (a barren place where criminals are exiled and works until they die).

Only when Romeo has doubled the yield in mines can he come back to Neo Verona.

Compared with Romeo’s rational rebellion, Tybalt’s defiance is more drastic, and he yearns for taking the life of his father to revenge for his abandoned mother. In some way, Tybalt’s intention parallels to Montague’s subversion toward the Capulet, specifying the notion of retribution and comparison of results between father and son.

Even if Montague owns the name of “Duke” and manipulates Neo Verona, he still gets nothing but abrupt murder by Mercutio in the end. On the other hand, Tybalt lays down his resentment toward Montague and lives a more fulfilling life in brand new Neo Verona.

Lastly, the fourth conflict is the choice between pursuit for public’s welfare or individual’s happiness. As the story goes on, Juliet is at a deadlock, wondering between the choice to sacrifice the minority’s life to assure the majority’s welfare, or the choice to give up her happiness as an exchange for reviving the House of Capulet.

For example, in Episode 5, the government determines to burn the suspects of Red Whirlwind to death. Although Juliet wants to save those innocent people, she is stopped by her servants to assure the overall situation. After all, it is natural to have sacrifice when it comes to revolution. Nevertheless, is it fair to build peace upon other people’s lives? Will it bring the true happiness?

Another example can be detected in Episode 23 when Juliet resolves to sacrifce her body to the Tree of Escalus to save the world. As Juliet proceeds to the Tree of Escalus, Romeo prevents her and states: “A world at peace that is built upon your suffering, and yours alone, is wrong. One day Verona will crumble, whether you offer your life or not.” Romeo’s comment elucidates that happiness based on individual’s sacrifice is not true happiness at all and invites the audience to reconsider the value of Juliet’s sacrifice.