Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet.md) › Violence, Conflict & Suicide # Violence, Conflict & Suicide English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 4.2.1 ## Violence and Conflict Love is heavily linked to violence and conflict in the play. The play also explores ideas of internal conflict and exile - a consequence of physical conflict. ### Love and violence ![Love and violence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b39ca5cf-2909-4882-b704-fb5b98abcc51/shutterstock_19941397.jpg) - Throughout the play, love is linked with violence and conflict. - Romeo attending the Capulet ball (because he loves Rosaline) causes Tybalt to vow revenge on him for dishonouring the Capulet family. - From the moment Romeo and Juliet meet, love and violence are intertwined for the couple. - The love-violence link causes physical fights (_between Tybalt, Mercutio and Romeo, as well as Romeo and Paris_). ### Internal conflict ![Internal conflict](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9d9b9a80-afbd-4322-9f62-c143faf3e9ad/shutterstock_226189507.jpg) - Friar Laurence experiences internal conflict in the play. - He knows that he should not marry Romeo and Juliet. - But he feels that it could be the only way to stop the family feud (argument) and a huge number of deaths. ### Exile and its consequences ![Exile and its consequences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/cf3e216e-d620-4d2a-b440-94f58062e878/shutterstock_444955762.jpg) - The Prince banishing Romeo to Mantua (because he killed Tybalt) causes Lady Montague’s death. - She dies of grief over her son’s exile. ## Suicide Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet constantly mention thoughts of suicide. This suggests that their love is so passionate and intense that it causes them to have violent thoughts. ### Romeo - Friar Laurence's cell ![Romeo - Friar Laurence's cell](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/7dbe332b-3e3d-4772-acc6-54c1c809e5c7/shutterstock_708294226.jpg) - In Act 3, when Romeo is hiding in Friar Laurence’s cell, he clumsily tries to kill himself with a knife. - The Nurse stops him by telling him to stop and think: **'For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand'**. ### Juliet's panic ![Juliet's panic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9381fd4c-323c-4b5e-9f3f-5df5480ea98b/shutterstock_653360116.jpg) - A few scenes later, Juliet also goes to Friar Laurence for help because of her upcoming marriage to Paris. - She feels conflicted. Her parents want her to marry the partner they have chosen but she is already married and does not want to commit the sin of bigamy. - She also feels deep love for Romeo. - She also attempts to kill herself with a knife (**'And with this knife I’ll help it presently'**) because she sees no other way out. - She only calms down when Friar Laurence makes the plan for Juliet to fake her own death. ### Romeo - reaction to Juliet's death ![Romeo - reaction to Juliet's death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/046c0007-2707-48b1-973f-b8bad15db4b8/shutterstock_720129613.jpg) - Then, in Act 5, when Romeo hears that Juliet is dead, his first thought is to buy illegal poison to end his own life. - He says, **'Juliet, I will lie with thee to-night'**. - This shows that their love is overpowering and uncontrollable. Without Juliet, he sees no reason to live. ### Juliet - reaction to Romeo's death ![Juliet - reaction to Romeo's death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b52b8042-51e9-4bc3-a61b-6107ef21c459/shutterstock_717471688.jpg) - Similarly, when Juliet sees that Romeo is dead, her first reaction is to commit suicide. - She even attempts to take any remaining poison from his lips by kissing him. - When this does not work, she grabs his dagger and stabs herself. She shouts **'let me die'** because she feels that, without Romeo, her life has no meaning. ## Test yourself on Violence, Conflict & Suicide - Who dies of grief after Romeo is exiled? - Which character experiences internal conflict in the play? - When in the play does Romeo contemplate committing suicide? - Which of these is NOT a quote from Juliet, showing her desire to kill herself? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/00f70050-30ed-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/section/74171f10-328d-11e8-b73a-2101f7e1fdc5/session) - Previous topic: [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md) - Next topic: [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Tragedy & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-1-tragedy-and-setting.md) - [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md) - [1.1.3 Religion & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate.md) - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-era.md) - [1.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-location.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Prologue - [2.1.1 Prologue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-1-1-prologue.md) - 2.2 Act 1 - [2.2.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-1-scene-1.md) - [2.2.2 Scene 1 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-2-scene-1-quotes.md) - [2.2.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-3-scene-2.md) - [2.2.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-4-scene-3.md) - [2.2.5 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-5-scene-4.md) - [2.2.6 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-6-scene-5.md) - [2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-7-end-of-topic-test-prologue-and-act-1.md) - 2.3 Act 2 - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-1-scenes-1-2.md) - [2.3.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-2-scene-3.md) - [2.3.3 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-3-scene-4.md) - [2.3.4 Scenes 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-4-scenes-5-6.md) - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2.md) - 2.4 Act 3 - [2.4.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-1-scene-1.md) - [2.4.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-2-scene-2.md) - [2.4.3 Scenes 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-3-scenes-3-4.md) - [2.4.4 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-4-scene-5.md) - [2.4.5 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-5-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md) - 2.5 Act 4 - [2.5.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-1-scene-1.md) - [2.5.2 Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-2-scenes-2-3.md) - [2.5.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-3-scenes-4-5.md) - 2.6 Act 5 - [2.6.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-1-scene-1.md) - [2.6.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-2-scene-2.md) - [2.6.3 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-3-scene-3.md) - [2.6.4 Scene 3 - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-4-scene-3-quotes.md) - [2.6.5 End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-5-end-of-topic-test-acts-4-and-5.md) - [2.6.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-drugs.md) - [2.6.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-knowing-about-the-wed.md) - [2.6.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-order-of-deaths.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Romeo - [3.1.1 First Impressions & Juliet's Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-1-first-impressions-and-juliets-effect.md) - [3.1.2 Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-2-character-development.md) - [3.1.3 Reactions & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-3-reactions-and-key-quotes.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-age.md) - [3.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-banishment.md) - [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md) - 3.2 Juliet - [3.2.1 First Impressions & Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development.md) - [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md) - [3.2.3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-3-key-quotes.md) - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-romeo-and-juliet.md) - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-real-people.md) - [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md) - 3.3 Mercutio - [3.3.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation.md) - [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md) - 3.4 The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt - [3.4.1 The Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-1-the-nurse.md) - [3.4.2 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-2-benvolio.md) - [3.4.3 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-3-tybalt.md) - 3.5 Friar Laurence - [3.5.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-1-characterisation.md) - [3.5.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-2-key-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-mercutio-nurse-and-benvolio.md) - [3.5.4 End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-4-end-of-topic-test-tybalt-and-friar-laurence.md) - [3.5.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-what-is-a-friar.md) - 3.6 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.6.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [3.6.2 Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-2-grade-9-key-characters-extract-analysis.md) ### 4 Key Themes & Concepts - 4.1 Power & Danger of Love - [4.1.1 Romeo's Loves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-1-romeos-loves.md) - [4.1.2 Friendship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-2-friendship-and-family.md) - [4.1.3 Violent Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-3-violent-love.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md) - 4.2 Violence, Fate & Gender - [4.2.1 Violence, Conflict & Suicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide.md) - [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md) - [4.2.3 Fate & Destiny](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-3-fate-and-destiny.md) - [4.2.4 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-4-gender.md) - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-violence-fate-and-gender.md) - [4.2.6 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-6-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [4.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-type-of-play.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Writing Techniques - [5.1.1 Language, Rhythm & Rhyme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-1-language-rhythm-and-rhyme.md) - [5.1.2 Symbolism & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-2-symbolism-and-imagery.md) - [5.1.3 Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-3-dramatic-irony-and-soliloquys.md) - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) - [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Main Quotes by Act - [6.1.1 Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1.md) - [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md) - [6.1.3 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-3-act-3.md) - [6.1.4 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-4-act-4.md) - [6.1.5 Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-5-act-5.md) - 6.2 Main Quotes by Character - [6.2.1 Romeo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-1-romeo.md) - [6.2.2 Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-2-juliet.md) - [6.2.3 Mercutio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-3-mercutio.md) - [6.2.4 Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-4-friar-laurence.md) - [6.2.5 Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-5-nurse.md) - [6.2.6 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-6-benvolio.md) - [6.2.7 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-7-tybalt.md)