Family: Loyalty, Authority, and Rebellion
The family feud drives every major conflict in the play. When Juliet begs Romeo to "Deny thy father, refuse thy name", she's asking him to choose love over family loyalty—an almost unthinkable request in Elizabethan society.
Lord Capulet's character dramatically changes from caring father to tyrannical authority figure. Early on, he tells Paris to "get her heart", showing consideration for Juliet's feelings. However, by Act 3, he declares "She will be ruled in all respects by me", revealing his true controlling nature when challenged.
The "ancient grudge" creates a cycle of violence that destroys the young generation. Mercutio's curse "A plague on both your houses" comes true when Romeo and Juliet's deaths finally force their families to reconcile.
"Blooming peace" emerges only after ultimate tragedy. The families' reconciliation and Montague's promise to build Juliet a statue in "pure gold" shows how the lovers' deaths finally break the cycle of hatred—but at an devastating cost.
Tragic irony: The parents only recognise their children's worth and end their feud after it's too late to save the young lovers they've destroyed.