1. Conflict between the Highwayman and Bess: Bess is torn between her love for the Highwayman and her duty to her husband, the landlord. This internal conflict creates emotional tension and suspense as Bess struggles to make a decision that will not betray either of them.
2. Conflict between the Highwayman and the Law: The Highwayman is an outlaw who is pursued by the law. This conflict represents the clash between individual freedom and societal rules and authority. The Highwayman's defiance of the law adds an element of danger and urgency to the story.
3. Conflict between Love and Duty: Bess is torn between her love for the Highwayman and her sense of duty towards her husband. This internal conflict creates emotional turmoil and a moral dilemma for Bess.
4. Conflict between Life and Death: The poem builds towards a climactic confrontation between the Highwayman and the authorities, where the ultimate stakes are life and death. The threat of violence and the possibility of losing the Highwayman add a sense of suspense and urgency to the poem.
5. Conflict between Freedom and Authority: The Highwayman represents a symbol of freedom and rebellion against societal norms and authority. His conflict with the law and his insistence on pursuing his own path create a tension between individual liberty and the constraints imposed by society.