Values are a person's principles and are those things that define the way a person lives and makes decisions. Based on their values, the characters in Romeo and Juliet judge themselves and others according to a certain code, a moral standard which raises expectations and creates its own philosophy. In Shakespeare's day, all members of a household including servants would have been required to uphold that code, even at the peril of death.
As Romeo and Juliet opens, the feud between the families carries the main emphasis and even dominates the conversation between the servants who will defend their family's honor. As Sampson says in Act I, scene i, line 21, "I will show myself a tyrant." When Tybalt arrives there is a fight. Tybalt does not hide his contempt or his unmitigated hatred even though there is no apparent motivation. He warns Benvolio who is trying to avoid any hostility, "As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee" (69). Benvolio has not provoked him at all. Even old Montague and old Capulet are calling for their swords without having any idea of what the arguing and fighting is about; except that it involves both households.
Accordingly, whilst many values and themes are explored throughout the play, the honor code would be the most important value. It drives and motivates the actions and reactions of all the characters, including Romeo and Juliet themselves.
Romeo and Juliet cannot admit their love for each other because it would dishonor their families.
Mercutio feels duty-bound to defend Romeo's honor and gets killed which then prompts Romeo to commit the very act he thought he could avoid, especially as Tybalt is effectively now his family, and he kills Tybalt in defense of Mercutio's honor.
Capulet has been the loving father up until the point where his dutiful daughter no longer shows respect for him and therefore dishonors him. He refuses to accept Juliet's excuses for not marrying Paris and his words are harsh. He calls her a "disobedient wretch" (III.v.160) and he even suggests that he will deny her and cast her out to "die in the street" (193). Juliet runs away to Friar Lawrence on the pretense that she needs to "make confession" because she has "displeased my father" (233).
Explanation:
I know it's long but it works
