Question

What is Prince Escalus’s significance within the play, both here and in his appearances in Acts I and III? How do his actions, decisions, and words relate to the play’s structure and themes? In the space below, write a minimum 150-word response analyzing Prince Escalus as a character, as a part of the play’s structure, and as he relates to thematic elements and the play’s overall message. Include specific examples from the text in your analysis.

Answer 1

Prince Escalus shows just how powerless authority is in civil disputes. He always shows up at the most heightened moments of conflict (the opening brawl, Mercutio's death, the end) and tries to show that he is in power by punishing the offenders (scolding and warning Montague and Capulet in the beginning, banishing Romeo, "all are punished" he says at the close of the play). None of these punishments seem to have much effect though, as his rule is merely symbolic. The Capulets and Montagues really run the town and that is shown by the fact that they act however they see fit (including Romeo and Juliet) without thinking of the consequences. 
One of the main themes of the play is the conflict of love versus hate, and Escalus demonstrates a love for his people and a hatred for their violence. He is trying to get them to settle their disputes but is unsuccessful in bridging that gap from hatred to love.