The main conflict in Romeo and Juliet, as introduced in the prologue, is the longstanding feud between the Montague and Capulet families. This feud creates a hostile environment in Verona, leading to violence and bloodshed. The prologue specifically mentions that the lovers, Romeo and Juliet, are ‘star-cross’d’ and their love is doomed from the start due to this conflict. The feud not only affects the two lovers but also impacts the entire community, causing chaos and tragedy.
In essence, the conflict is not just between individuals but between two powerful families whose hatred for each other disrupts the social order and leads to the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The prologue sets the stage for this conflict, highlighting the inevitability of the tragedy that unfolds as a result of the families’ enmity.