Why did the Capulets and Montague's despise each other so much?

Question

I am doing work on Romeo and Juliet and I can't find the reason as to why the Capulets and Montagues have a deep hatred for each other. It would help me understand the story more if I knew the true root of what kept Romeo and Juliet apart.

Answer 1

Sadly, the truth to that question was left intentionally unanswered by Shakespeare. There are a few possibilities as to why this is so.

In the Prologue, all we are told is that there is an “ancient grudge.” We are never given any details. Personally, I think, Shakespeare was trying to pull the reader into the story, by putting the burden of that outside story in the hands of those experiencing the story. You create the backstory in a way. What in your opinion might cause these two large families* to be so against the existence of the other? Something so terrible that two kids think leaving is easier than standing up against their families. Shakespeare wanted this question to be hanging in the reader’s/audience’s minds. It creates a sort of tension, a desire to want to know more, in the person experiencing the work and that brings you in to the piece.

Separately, the grudge was so old no one could even remember what it was about in the first place. These two families just accepted this “bad blood” as the status quo, and they, mindlessly, never questioned it. Often breaking into random brawls in the streets. This doesn’t really paint either family in a positive light because, ultimately, this means that Rome and Juliet both really did die for nothing. And that creates the tragedy.  I hope that helps. 😊

*Remember, Verona is a small town. It is basically split into three groups: those who support the Montagues; those who support the Capulets; and those who are tired of this quarrel placing such a burden on everyone else. As summed up with Mercutio’s final curse on both houses.