At the end of
In addition to unifying the play’s themes of love and violence, the ending also brings an end to the longstanding feud between the Capulet and Montague families. However, peace between the families may turn out only to be temporary. After the Prince blames Capulet and Montague for their children’s deaths, the two men pledge their desire to resolve their conflict. Capulet begins by addressing Montague as his “brother,” then asks for his hand in friendship. Montague responds by one-upping Capulet. He claims that he will commission a statue of Juliet to be fashioned from pure gold, and he concludes with a boast: “whiles Verona by that name is known, / There shall no figure at such rate be set / As that of true and faithful Juliet” (V.iii.300–2). Capulet immediately retorts: “As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie, / Poor sacrifices of our enmity” (V.iii.303–4). Reconciliation quickly becomes corrupted by a contest of wealth, indicating that Romeo and Juliet’s tragedy will not bring full reconciliation so much as what the Prince calls “A glooming peace” (V.iii.305).