Lord + Lady Montague

Question 1

‘black and portentous must this humour prove’ - lord montague, act 1 scene 1

Answer 1

• His attitude towards romeo + how he worries for his son because he might fall into depression as the situation worsens

Question 2

‘with tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew. Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs.’ - Montague, act 1 scene 1

Answer 2

• Romeo is suffering from unrequited love which has put him into a state of depression. * Shakespeare aligns the metaphors with natural imagery which exhibits the extent of his sadness.
• Montague describes him as adding to the “dew” with his “tears” and contributing to the “clouds” with “sighs” the poetic nature of his speech aligns Romeo’s love with Petrarchan love.

Question 3

‘there shall no figure at such rate be set / as that of true and faithful Juliet’ / ‘as rich as shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie - poor sacrifices of our enmity’ - lord Montague, act 5 scene 3

Answer 3

• This final reconciliation encompasses the tragic values of recognition (the Lords recognising their selfishness) and hope of a better future.
• However, this hopeful ending is undermined by the very act of turning Romeo and Juliet into statues, which eternally objectifies them to serve their parents wishes; in death, as in life, neither Romeo nor Juliet attains autonomy.