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How does time affect the progression of the feud in Romeo and Juliet?

Time affects the progression of the feud in Romeo and Julietin two major ways. First, the passage of time renders the feud almost mythological in proportion; although the Capulets and Montagues continue to hate each other, neither family remembers how or why the feud began. The feud started so long ago that neither family can recall its origins and simply perpetuate the feud out of ego. It is a spiteful and violent tradition that...

Time affects the progression of the feud in Romeo and Juliet in two major ways. First, the passage of time renders the feud almost mythological in proportion; although the Capulets and Montagues continue to hate each other, neither family remembers how or why the feud began. The feud started so long ago that neither family can recall its origins and simply perpetuate the feud out of ego. It is a spiteful and violent tradition that is way out of hand.


Second, time has created a continued escalation in the gravity of the feud itself, as the warring factions' attacks and acts of retaliation continue to worsen. The play itself begins with two Capulet men antagonizing a group of Montagues, which leads to an all-out brawl. The families are fighting over the unknown hurt between them, and, it seems, just for the sake of fighting. This approach is circular, self-defeating, and dangerous.


Overall, time has evolved this rivalry into mayhem while preventing the two families involved from recalling the rivalry's source; as a result, the relationship between the Capulets and Montagues ripens into an increasingly chaotic, violent, and unstable pattern of offensive and defensive lashes. This pattern ultimately leads to the tragic death of the story's protagonists and the wild grief of their loved ones.

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