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Romeo & Juliet 💘 (for mee) > Key quotes > Flashcards

Key quotes Flashcards

1
Q

“A pair of star-crossed …

A

… lovers take their life” - Prologue

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2
Q

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”

Which part of the play does this quote come from?

A

This quote comes from the prologue to Act 1

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3
Q

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”

What does “star-crossed” mean in this quote?

A

It means that fate
( the ‘stars’) will control their relationship, and that their relationship is destined to end badly.

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4
Q

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”

Give an example from elsewhere in the play that shows Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed”.

A

By chance, Friar John was quarantined, which meant his letter for Romeo didn’t arrive.

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5
Q

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”

This quote tells the audience that two lovers are going to die. What effect does this have on the rest of the play? Explain your answer.

A
  • This knowledge creates
    the impression that the
    events of the play are
    controlled by fate, because
    the audience knows how
    Romeo and Juliet’s
    romance will end.
  • It also created tension, as
    the audience knows that
    Romeo and Juliet’s
    happiness and love can’t
    last and is destined to go
    wrong.
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6
Q

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”

This line rhymes with a line that ends: “their parents’ strife”. Why do you think Shakespeare rhymes Romeo and Juliet’s “life” with their parents’ “strife”?

A

The rhyming words link the ending of Romeo and Juliet’s life and the feud together closely. Shakespeare creates this link to show that the feud plays an important role in Romeo and Juliet’s deaths, and to emphasise that their deaths will end the feud.

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7
Q

“Go, girl, seek happy…

A

… nights to happy days.” - Act 1, Scene 3

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8
Q

“Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”

Where is Juliet about to go when the Nurse gives her this advice?

A

Juliet is about to go to the Capulets’ party, where she is supposed to meet Paris, her potential future husband.

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9
Q

“Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”

What does the Nurse mean when she says this?
A. Find yourself a husband
who will satisfy you at
night.
B. Enjoy your life while
you’re still young.

A

A. The Nurse means that Juliet should find herself a husband who will make her nights “happy” by satisfying her sexually.

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10
Q

“Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”

Give another example where Shakespeare uses imagery of night and day.

A

In Act 1, Scene 1, Montague says that Romeo shuts himself indoors and creates an “artificial night” in order to block out the “fair daylight”. This reflects Romeo’s sadness desperation.

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11
Q

“Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”

What does this quote suggest about the Nurse’s feelings towards Juliet? Explain your answer.

A
  • The quote suggests that
    the Nurse is keen for Juliet
    to be happy — she wants
    her to enjoy life and find
    herself a good husband.
  • The quote also suggests
    that the Nurse has a close
    relationship with Juliet —
    she’s not afraid to make
    vulgar jokes about sex and
    tease Juliet.
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12
Q

“My only love …

A

… sprung from my only hate.” - Act 1, Scene 5

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13
Q

“My only love sprung from my only hate.”

Who says this quote and in which scene do they say it?

A

Juliet says this quote in Act 1, Scene 5 at the end of the Capulets’ party. She has just discovered that Romeo is a Montague.

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14
Q

“My only love sprung from my only hate.”

What does the speaker mean by “My only love” and “my only hate”?

A

By her “only love”, Juliet means Romeo, who she has just met and fallen in love with. Her “only hate” is the Montague family, because they are the enemies of the Capulets.

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15
Q

“My only love sprung from my only hate.”

What impression do you get of the speaker’s mood when they say this line?

A

Juliet seems quite solemn and serious. She refers to Romeo as her “only love”, even though they’ve just met. This shows how seriously she takes their relationship from the beginning.

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16
Q

“My only love sprung from my only hate.”

Explain the effect of the repetition in this quote.

A

The repetition of “only” emphasises that Juliet has just one “love” and just one “hate”, which highlights how serious the situation is. The repetition also reflects Juliet’s frustration at her own misfortune.

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17
Q

“My only love sprung from my only hate.”

This is one of several opposites that are used in this part of the play. What is the effect of Shakespeare’s use of opposites in these lines?

A

These opposites create a sense of confusion that shows how conflicted Juliet is feeling about her love for Romeo. They show how difficult her situation is by emphasising that her love for Romeo is incompatible with the feud between their families.

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18
Q

“It is the east, …

A

… and Juliet is the sun.”- Act 2, Scene 2

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19
Q

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

What does Romeo describe as “the east” and why?

A

Romeo describes Juliet’s window as “the east”, because the sun rises in the east.

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19
Q

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Where is Romeo when he says this quote?

A

Romeo is in Capulet’s orchard, below Juliet’s window.

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20
Q

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

What time of day is it when Romeo says this?

A

It’s late at night. This makes Romeo’s words more fitting, because he is suggesting that the light from Juliet’s window is like the sun rising to break through the darkness of the night.

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21
Q

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Why does Romeo compare Juliet to the sun? What effect does this have?

A

By comparing Juliet to a celestial object like the sun, Romeo implies she is too perfect to be human. It could also suggest that Juliet, like the sun, is a source of light and hope.

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22
Q

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Give two more examples where Shakespeare uses nature imagery in Act 2, Scene 2. Explain what effect each example of nature imagery has.

A
  • Shakespeare uses falconry
    metaphors to describe
    Romeo and Juliet. This
    shows the strength of their
    love by likening it to be the
    bond between a falconer
    and a falcon.
  • Shakespeare also uses
    nature imagery when Juliet
    describes the love between
    her and Romeo as a “bud”
    that may become a
    “beauteous flower”. By
    comparing their love to a
    flower bud, she suggests
    that it still needs time to
    grow.
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23
Q

“a rose by any …

A

… other name would smell as sweet” - Act 2, Scene 2

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24
Q

“a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

Who says this and when?

A

Julia says this quote when she is speaking to herself at her bedroom window at the beginning of Act two, Scene two.

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25
Q

“a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

Explain the meaning of this quote.

A

Juliet says that a rose will always smell pleasant, regardless of the name that it is used to describe it. She means that even though Romeo has the name Montague and belongs to a rival family, this doesn’t mean that he isn’t a good person.

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26
Q

“a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

How do you think the speaker is feeling when they say this quote? Give reason for your answer.

A

Juliette is feeling frustrated. It’s because she has fallen in love with someone she’s supposed to hate.

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27
Q

“a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

Why do you think Shakespeare uses the image of a rose in this quote?

A

The rose is a symbol of love and beauty, which reflects Juliet’s love for Romeo. However, roses are also thorny and can cause pain, so Shakespeare might be hinting at how Romeo and Juliet love will end in pain.

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28
Q

“a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

What does this quote suggest about the speaker’s attitude to love?

A

This suggests that Juliet becomes family rivalries, reputations and names shouldn’t matter in love. She is in love with Romeo as a person rather than with his name or status.

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29
Q

“Thy love did read …

A

… by rote and could not spell.” - Act 2, Scene 3

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30
Q

“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.”

What does the phrase ‘by rote’ literally mean?

A

It means learning something by repeating it over and over again.

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31
Q

“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.”

What does Friar Lawrence mean when he says this about Romeo?

A

Friar Lawrence means that Romeo has learnt to recite words about love, but doesn’t really understand what they mean or what love is.

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32
Q

“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.”

According to Friar Lawrence, which character “knew well” that Romeo was only reading “by rote”?

A

Rosaline. Friar Lawrence suggests that Rosaline didn’t return Romeo’s love because she knew he wasn’t serious about loving her.

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33
Q

“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.”

Give an example from elsewhere in the play that suggests Friar Lawrence disapproves of Romeo’s approach to love.

A

In Act 2, Scene 6, Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about his impulsive approach to love. He tells Romeo that “violent delights have violent ends”.

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34
Q

“Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.”

Do you think Friar Lawrence is correct to say this about Romeo? Explain your answer.

A
  • Friar Lawrence is correct
    because Romeo didn’t truly
    love Rosaline. He forgot
    about her as soon as he
    saw Juliet for the first time.
  • Friar Lawrence is wrong
    because Romeo’s love for
    Juliet appears genuine. He
    is capable of true love even
    though he moves on from
    Rosaline quickly.
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35
Q

“To turn your households’ …

A

… rancour to pure love.” - Act 2, Scene 3

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36
Q

“To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”

Who is Friar Lawrence speaking to when he says this line?

A

Friar Lawrence is speaking Romeo at the end of Act 2, Scene 3

37
Q

“To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”

What does the word “rancour” mean?

A

“Rancour” means “hatred”

38
Q

“To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”

What does Friar Lawrence hope will turn the “rancour” into “pure love”?

A

He hopes that Romeo’s marriage to Juliet will lead to peace between the two families.

39
Q

“To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”

Do you think the “rancour” between the two houses is turned into “pure love” by the end of the play? Use examples in your answer.

A

The “rancour” between the two families is turned into “pure love”, because the families agree to stop fighting when they see the destruction caused by their feud. Capulet calls Montague “brother Montague” and they shake hands. This is ironic because Romeo and Juliet’s marriage does end the feud, but not in the way that Friar Lawrence had hoped.

40
Q

“To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”

Do you think it was realistic of Friar Lawrence to think his actions would turn “rancour” into “love”? Explain your answer.

A
  • You could have said it was
    realistic because Montague
    and Capulet make peace
    at the end of the play,
    which shows that the two
    families are capable of
    loving each other.
  • You could have said it was unrealistic, as the feud was too strong — without Romeo and Juliet’s death, the two families wouldn’t have made peace.
41
Q

“For now, these hot …

A

… days, is the mad blood stirring.” - Act 3, Scene 1

42
Q

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

Who says this quote?

A

Benvolio says this quote in Act 3, Scene 1.

43
Q

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

What does the speaker mean when they say that “the mad blood” is “stirring”?

A

He means that people get angry and violent in the hot weather.

44
Q

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

Which of these words best describes the atmosphere created by this quote?
A. relaxed
B. jubilant
C. frantic
D. ominous

A

D. Benvolio’s words create a tense and ominous atmosphere because they lead the audience to expect that something bad is going to happen.

45
Q

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

What happens later in this scene, and how does it relate to this quote?

A

Later in this scene, Tybalt confronts Romeo and kills Mercutio. Romeo then kills Tybalt. Benvolio’s words in this quote foreshadow the violence to come.

46
Q

“For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

In this quote, Shakespeare creates a link between the weather and the emotion of the characters. What effect does this have?

A

By linking the mood of the characters to the weather, which can change quickly, Shakespeare emphasises how the characters are changeable and prone to sudden mood swings. For example, Romeo quickly becomes angry after Mercutio’s death, whereas he was peaceful before. The fact that the characters can be influenced by something as mundane as the weather emphasises how volatile they are.

47
Q

“A plague …

A

… a’ both your houses!” - Act 3, Scene 1

48
Q

“A plague a’ both your houses!”

Who is Mercutio talking to in this quote?

A

Mercutio is talking to Romeo and Tybalt. He is cursing the Montagues and the Capulets.

49
Q

“A plague a’ both your houses!”

Why is Mercutio cursing their households?

A

He is cursing their houses because he has just fatally injured in a fight, which started because of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets.

50
Q

“A plague a’ both your houses!”

How do you think Mercutio is feeling when he says this quote?
A. triumphant
B. angry
C. confused
D. alive and ready to party

A

B. Mercutio is angry with the Montagues and Capulets because he blames both households for causing his death.

51
Q

“A plague a’ both your houses!”

Mercutio says the words “A plague a’ both your houses” three times in Act 3, Scene 1. What is the effect of this repetition?

A

This emphasises Mercutio’s anger and disbelief at what has happened to him. He keeps repeating himself because he is frustrated that he is going to die because of a feud that he shouldn’t have been involved in.

52
Q

“A plague a’ both your houses!”

Who do you think should be blamed for Mercutio’s death? Explain your answer.

A

Tybalt is clearly to blame for Mercutio’s death, because he came looking for a fight and was the one who stabbed Mercutio. Mercutio blames Romeo, but this is unfair, because Romeo was trying to stop the fighting. Mercutio is also partly to blame himself because he was so eager to fight Tybalt. The Montagues and Capulets could also be blamed for having the feud in this first place.

53
Q

“fire-eyed …

A

… fury be my conduct now!” - Act 3, Scene 1

54
Q

“fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”

Who says this quote?

A

Romeo says this quote in Act 3, Scene 1

55
Q

“fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”

What prompts the speaker to say this?

A

Mercutio’s murder prompts Romeo to say this. He is angry at Tybalt and wants revenge.

56
Q

“fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”

Give two techniques Shakespeare uses in this quote.

A

Shakespeare uses alliteration — there is a repeated ‘f’ sound in “fire-eyed fury”. He also uses personification — “fury” is made to seem human because it has ‘eyes’. This suggests that his fury has a mind of its own and is uncontrollable.

57
Q

“fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”

How does the mood of this quote contrast to the speaker’s mood earlier in this scene?

A

Romeo is in a violent and hot-tempered mood here. He is willing to give in to his “fury” and get his revenge on Tybalt. This contrasts to his mood earlier in the scene, when he refused to fight Tybalt and repeatedly told him of the “love” he had for him.

58
Q

“fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”

What does this quote suggest about the personality of the speaker? Explain your answer.

A

This suggests that Romeo is easily influenced by his emotions and is quick to grow angry and violent. His sudden change in mood reflects how his character is complex and contradictory at times — he can be both gentle and violent.

59
Q

“Dove-feathered raven, …

A

… wolvish-ravening lamb!”

60
Q

“Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!”

Who is describing Romeo in this quote?

A

Juliet is describing Romeo in this quote.

61
Q

“Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!”

What has the speaker just learnt that causes them to describe Romeo like this?

A

She has just learnt that Romeo has killed Tybalt, her cousin.

62
Q

“Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!”

What does this quote suggests about the speaker’s attitude to Romeo at this point in the play? Explain your answer.

A

This suggests that Juliet has a conflicted attitude towards Romeo. She is upset that he has killed her cousin, but still loves him. She seems frustrated with him because he is gentle and loving to her, but is also capable of great violence.

63
Q

“Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!”

Give two other examples where Shakespeare compares either Romeo or Juliet to birds. Explain what effect each example has.

A
  • Romeo compares Juliet to “a snowy dove trooping with crows” when he first sees her in Act 1, Scene 5. This suggests that she stands out from the crowd because she is so beautiful.
  • Juliet uses falconry imagery in Act 2, Scene 2 when she calls Romeo back to her window. This suggests there is a strong bond between them, like the one between a falconer on their falcon.
64
Q

“Death is my …

A

… son-in-law, Death is my heir” - Act 4, Scene 5

65
Q

“Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir”

Who says this line and what have they just discovered?

A

Capulet says this line in Act 4, Scene 5 when he thinks that Juliet has died.

66
Q

“Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir”

What do you think the speaker means when they say “Death is my heir”?

A

Capulet means that now Juliet has died, there is no one to inherit his legacy. Juliet was his only child, so there will be no one to continue his family line when he dies.

67
Q

“Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir”

What effect does repetition have in this quote?

A

The repetition of “Death” emphasises Capulet’s grief and disbelief at what has happened. It shows that Capulet’s thoughts are fixated on Juliet’s death.

68
Q

“Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir”

Shakespeare creates the image of Juliet marrying “Death” in this quote. Why do you think he does this?

A

This foreshadows Romeo’s death, because Romeo is Capulet’s real son-in-law, although he doesn’t know this. By saying that Juliet is married to death, Shakespeare suggests that Romeo will die, and also that he will bring death to Juliet, because she is married to him.

69
Q

“Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir”

Give an example from elsewhere in the play when marriage is linked to death. What effect does the comparison have in the example you’ve chosen?

A

In Act 1, scene 5, Juliet says that if Romeo is already married, her “grave is like to be” her “wedding bed”. Juliet means that she will die unmarried, because she’ll never fall in love with someone else, but this quote also foreshadows her death shortly after getting married, and creates a sombre mood.

70
Q

“Is it e’en so? …

A

… Then I defy you, stars!” - Act 5, Scene 1

71
Q

“Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!”

Who is Romeo talking to when he says this, and what has he just learnt?

A

Romeo is talking to his servant, Balthasar, who has just told him about Juliet’s death.

72
Q

“Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!”

What does the use of question in this quote suggest about Romeo’s emotions at this point in the play?

A

The use of a question suggests that Romeo is full of shock and disbelief. It seems as if he’s asking for confirmation of what he’s just heard, which shows his struggle to accept the news of Juliet’s death.

73
Q

“Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!”

What does Romeo mean when he says “I defy you, stars”?

A

Romeo means that he wants to reject fate (the “stars”) because it has caused Juliet’s death.

74
Q

“Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!”

Why do you think Shakespeare decided to have Romeo address the “stars” directly? What effect does this have?

A

The way Romeo addresses the stars directly emphasises that he blames fate for Juliet’s death and his misfortune. It also makes his reaction to her death seem more dramatic, which reinforces the strength of his emotions.

75
Q

“Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!”

What does this quote suggest about how Romeo’s attitude to fate has changed?

A

This quote suggests that Romeo is no longer willing to just accept his fate, which contrasts to his attitude earlier in the play. For example, in Act 1, Scene 4, he accepts that his fate is in the hands of a higher power, asking God to “Direct” his “sail”, even though he thinks it could lead to him dying.

76
Q

“One writ with me …

A

… in sour misfortune’s book!” - Act 5, Scene 3

77
Q

“One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!”

Who is describing Paris in this quote?

A

Romeo is speaking in this quote. He has just killed Paris outside of the Capulet tomb.

78
Q

“One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!”

What does this quote suggest about the speaker’s attitude to Paris at this point in the play?

A

This quote suggests that Romeo is sympathetic towards Paris, because he realises that Paris was unlucky to have come to the tomb when he did.

79
Q

“One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!”

This quote uses the image of “misfortune” writing the names of unlucky people in a “book”. What effect does this have? Explain your answer.

A
  • The personification of
    “misfortune” makes it
    sound as if someone is
    actively controlling Romeo
    and Paris’s lives,
    emphasising that their bad
    luck is not their fault.
  • The idea that “misfortune”
    has written their names in
    a “book” suggests that their
    fate is fixed — their lives
    are like a story whose
    ending has already been
    decided.
80
Q

“One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!”

Give an example from elsewhere in the play where Shakespeare uses book imagery to describe Paris. What effect does the imagery in this example have?

A

In Act 1, Scene 3, Lady Capulet gives an extended speech which compares Paris to a book. She describes Paris as an “unbound lover” who needs a “cover” to complete him. This reflects how society sees Juliet and Paris as an ideal match — they would have fit together like a book and its cover.

81
Q

“O happy …

A

… dagger! […] This is thy sheath.” - Act 5, Scene 3

82
Q

“O happy dagger! […] This is thy sheath.”

Who says this?

A

Juliet

83
Q

“O happy dagger! […] This is thy sheath.”

Why does the speaker describe the dagger as “happy”?

A

Juliet describes the dagger as “happy” because she wants to kill herself now that Romeo has died — she is happy that the dagger has given her the means to do so. In Shakespeare’s time, “happy” could also mean ‘fortunate’, which could suggests that Juliet thinks she is lucky to have found a way to kill herself.

84
Q

“O happy dagger! […] This is thy sheath.”

What effect is created by the use of short sentences?

A

The short sentences create the impression that Juliet is hurrying. She is worried about being stopped before she is able to kill herself, so her sentences are short and to the point. This increases the pace of the play, creating tension for the audience.

85
Q

“O happy dagger! […] This is thy sheath.”

What does the speaker mean when they refer to the dagger’s “sheath”?
Why do you think Shakespeare makes this comparison?

A

When Juliet talks about putting the dagger in its “sheath”, she means that she will stab herself. The image of her body as a “sheath” creates the impression that the dagger belongs there, since sheaths are designed to hold daggers. This emphasises that Juliet was fated to die — by killing herself, she is fulfilling her destiny, as described in the prologue.

86
Q

“A glooming peace …

A

… this morning with it brings” - Act 5, Scene 3

87
Q

“A glooming peace this morning with it brings”

Who says this line?

A

The Prince says this at the very end of Act 5, Scene 3. This is from his final speech — he is the last character to speak in the play.

88
Q

“A glooming peace this morning with it brings”

What does “glooming” mean in this quote?
A. dark
B. false
C. joyful
D. short-term

A

A. The word “glooming” is another word for ‘dark’ or ‘gloomy’

89
Q

“A glooming peace this morning with it brings”

What is symbolic about it being “morning” in this part of the play?

A

It is symbolic that it is morning because mornings traditionally symbolise new beginnings. The peace between the Montagues and the Capulets represents a new chapter for the city of Verona, just as the morning signals the start of a new day.

90
Q

“A glooming peace this morning with it brings”

Explain why the speaker describes the peace as “glooming”.

A

The prince describes the peace as “gloomy” because although there is finally peace between the Capulets and the Montagues, it has been achieved at a terrible cost. He suggests that the new morning, which should bring light and hope, has been overshadowed by darkness and sorry because of the tragic deaths of Mercutio, Tybalt, Lady Montague, Paris, Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo & Juliet 💘 (for mee) (39 decks)

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