Character Quotations Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are some character traits of Romeo?
*Romeo is a young, passionate and impulsive character.
*He acts quickly based on emotion and without properly thinking things through resulting in the tragic ending
Romeo - ‘Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love. Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!’ (Act 1 Scene 1)
Context - He’s confused and overwhelmed, not just by the violence after the fight between Ms and Cs, but by his own feelings for Rosaline (who doesn’t love him back)
Analysis - Romeo recognizes the close connection between love and hate, foreshadowing the tragic love between him and Juliet . Shows Romeo’s emotional confusion.
Technique - The use of oxymoron reflects how love and hate are both powerful. This mirrors the love story of Romeo and Juliet: their love grows in a world full of hatred.
Theme of Love
Romeo -“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Act 1 Scene 5)
Context - Romeo says this when he first sees Juliet at the Capulet’s party. He’s instantly captivated by her beauty, despite claiming to be heartbroken over Rosaline moments earlier.
Analysis - Romeo is overwhelmed by Juliet’s beauty, claiming she is so radiant that she could “teach” the torches how to shine. His language suggests worship or awe, not just attraction — showing how deeply and instantly he falls in love.
Technique - Metaphor to compare Juliet to light and show that she outshines everything around her as if she glows with an inner light. Hyperbole as Romeo exaggerates her beauty, showing both the intensity of his feelings and his impulsive, romantic character. He moves on from Rosaline to within moments, which shows his emotional instability that leads to tragedy.
Theme of Love/ Marriage
Romeo - ‘O I am a fortune’s fool’ (Act 3, Scene 1)
- ‘I defy you stars’ (Act 5 Scene 1)
Context - Romeo says this after he kills Tybalt in revenge for his friend Mercutio’s death. Romeo is filled with guilt and frustration, realizing that he has just made a terrible mistake.
Analysis - Romeo feels as though he is being controlled by fate, and his actions are beyond his control. He calls himself “fortune’s fool,” meaning he feels like he is being manipulated by external forces, rather than making decisions freely. His outburst represents his growing sense of helpless ness
Technique - The use of a metaphor as he is being made a fool by fate. This shows that he feels powerless, as if he’s being controlled by forces beyond his control.
Theme of fate
What are some character traits of Juliet?
*Juliet is inferior, obedient to her parents at the beginning of the play
*In the middle of the play Juliet is seen to be practical, strong-willed character who is headstrong and independent
*However towards the end Juliet becomes strong-willed, rebellious and impulsive due to her actions being driven by her emotions and love for Romeo
Juliet - “My only love sprung from my only hate;
Too early seen unknown, and known too late.”
( Act 1, Scene 5)
Context - Juliet has just discovered that Romeo the boy she has fallen in love with at the Capulet party = is a Montague, the son of her family’s greatest enemy. She is speaking in shock and despair after learning his identity.
Analysis - Juliet is expressing deep emotional conflict as she has a tragic realisation that she loves Romeo, in spite of her family’s hatred of the Montagues. Her first and only true love has come from the Montagues. She regrets that she fell in love with him “too early” before she knew who he really was and now that she knows, it’s “too late” because she’s already emotionally attached. The quote captures the tragic irony of falling in love with the one person she is forbidden to be with.
Technique - Oxymoron / Juxtaposition of love and hate are directly opposed, showing Juliet’s inner turmoil. Repetition of the phrases “too early” and “too late” mirror each other, highlighting the theme of fate and timing and that everything seems out of their control.
Theme of Love and Fate
Juliet - “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? / Deny thy father and refuse thy name.” (Act 2 Scene 2)
Context - Juliet speaks this while alone on her balcony, unaware Romeo is listening. She has just fallen in love with him, but now struggles with the fact that he is a Montague — the family her own (the Capulets) are sworn enemies of.
Analysis - Juliet is not asking where Romeo is, but why he must be a Montague. She wishes he could abandon his family name so they could be together without the obstacle of the feud. This shows her frustration and she wishes Romeo weren’t defined by his name or family.
Technique - Rhetorical question as “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” expresses Juliet’s inner conflict and emotional turmoil. She questions why the man she loves must be her enemy. Juliet challenges the cultural value placed on family names and honour, defying the conventions of the time.
Theme of Love, Family Honour, Fate
Juliet - “It is too rash, too unadvis’d, too sudden; / Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be” (Act 2 Scene 2)
Context - Juliet is speaking to Romeo during the famous balcony scene, just after he has confessed his love. While she loves him too, she expresses hesitation about how quickly their relationship is developing.
Analysis - Juliet is warning that their love is happening too fast as she fears that such quick, passionate love might not last. It also shows how Romeo is less mature than Juliet who is in control of her emotions and cautious. Romeo is too impulsive which ends up being his tragic flaw that causes the death of R+J
Technique - Rule of three which emphasises Juliet’s caution. The repetition of “too” shows how overwhelmed and unsure she feels. Simile of “Too like the lightning” compares their love to something powerful but short-lived, suggesting beauty, death and danger. Foreshadowing of their fate which ends in death due to things moving too quickly.
Theme of Fate, Death, Love
Juliet - “O happy dagger! This is thy sheath: there rust, and let me die.” (Act 5, Scene 3)
Context - This is Juliet’s final line in the play. She wakes up in the Capulet tomb to find Romeo dead by poison. Rather than living without him, she takes his dagger and kills herself choosing death over separation from her love.
Analysis - Juliet calls the dagger “happy” because it will reunite her with Romeo in death - a poetic and tragic image of her accepting death willingly. She sees no life without Romeo and ends her life with passion and resolve. Juliet’s love is so deep that death becomes desirable. This ties into earlier ideas that love and death are linked as their passion was always heading towards tragedy.
Technique - Oxymoron / Irony as “Happy dagger” is ironic — a weapon of death is described as joyful, showing how Juliet sees death as a release and a way to be with Romeo. The long-standing family feud has driven both Romeo and Juliet to violent ends, showing the destructive power of hate.
Theme of Love, Fate, Death
What are some character traits of Mercutio?
*Mercutio is witty and hot-headed, often using clever language to mock love and provoke conflict. His loyalty to Romeo leads to his tragic death, marking a turning point in the play and highlighting the destructive nature of the feud.
Mercutio - “A plague o’ both your houses!” ( Act 3, Scene 1)
Context - Mercutio speaks this line as he lies dying after being stabbed by Tybalt. As he dies, he curses both the Montague and Capulet families for causing his death, showing his anger and frustration at their feud.
Analysis - Mercutio’s curse directly critiques the senseless conflict between the Capulets and Montagues. His death is a tragic result of the families’ ongoing hatred, and his curse reinforces the futility of the feud. His death marks the beginning of the tragic spiral that ends with the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Technique - Metaphor as “A plague” symbolizes widespread destruction and suffering, suggesting that the feud has created nothing but harm for everyone involved. The curse reflects how he sees the feud as destructive and futile, but his death ultimately fuels the further escalation of the conflict.
Theme of Conflict and Violence, Death
Mercutio - “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!”
(Act 3, Scene 1)
Context - This is said by Mercutio when Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt, who has just challenged him. Romeo tries to keep the peace because he’s secretly married to Juliet. He sees Romeo’s refusal as weak and cowardly, and it enrages him.
Analysis - Mercutio is angry that Romeo is being peaceful and refusing to stand up for his male honour. He sees Romeo’s calmness as unmanly and shameful, especially in a culture where masculinity and male honour are tied to violence. The word “submission” implies surrender or weakness. Mercutio believes honour must be defended through violence. He represents the toxic masculinity. This moment directly triggers the tragedy.
Technique - The rule of three adjectives “calm, dishonourable, vile” build intensity and show Mercutio’s fury. Oxymoron as the word “calm” is usually positive, but here it’s paired with “dishonourable” and “vile,” showing that in this violent world, peace is seen as weakness.
Theme of Conflict, Male Honour
What are the character traits of Friar Lawrence?
*Friar Lawrence is a close friend and ‘father figure’ to Romeo. Romeo seeks help and advice from Lawrence that he wouldn’t get from his biological family or other friends.
*All of his actions are aimed at helping Romeo and Juliet, but his final plan is so risky that it leads to the death of both main characters.
Friar Lawrence - “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” (Act 2, Scene 3)
Context - Friar Lawrence says this after Romeo confesses that he has fallen in love with Juliet and wants to marry her. Romeo, eager to marry Juliet quickly, disregards the potential consequences. The Friar, however, advises him to take his time and not rush into such an important decision.
Analysis - Friar Lawrence is warning Romeo about the dangers of rushing into a decision without considering the consequences as hasty actions can lead to mistakes or misfortune. The line shows the contrast between Romeo’s youthful impatience and Friar Lawrence’s mature, measured approach. Romeo’s quick actions are driven by passion and emotion, while the Friar tries to use wisdom.
Technique - Ironic foreshadowing of their coming deaths as despite his advice, Romeo and Juliet’s rushed decisions — particularly their secret marriage — lead directly to their deaths, reinforcing the theme of fate and the consequences of hasty actions.
Theme of Fate, Love
Friar Lawrence - “These violent delights have violent ends.”
(Act 2, Scene 6)
Context - Friar Lawrence says this line just before Romeo and Juliet’s secret wedding. The couple is filled with joy and excitement, eager to marry quickly but Friar Lawrence though happy for them expresses caution. He warns Romeo that passion and intensity may lead to an equally intense and destructive end. This foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold as a result of their impulsive decisions.
Analysis - The quote suggests that intense, passionate emotions such as the love Romeo and Juliet feel for each other often lead to equally intense and destructive outcomes. “Violent delights” refers to the extreme, all-consuming nature of their love, which, though pleasurable, may end in tragic way. The phrase “violent ends” implies that something that begins with such intensity and love will end in disaster or violence.
Technique - Oxymoron of the phrase “violent delights” is juxtaposing and creates a sense of tension suggesting that intense pleasure can be dangerous and fleeting. Foreshadowing about the fate of Romeo and Juliet. It hints at the tragic end of the lovers’ story where they both die
Theme of Fate, Love, Conflict
What are some character traits of the Nurse?
*The nurse provides a similar support for Juliet as Friar Lawrence does for Romeo as she is like a mother figure to Juliet.
*She clearly has great love for Juliet and has cared for her since she was born.
The Nurse is trusted by Juliet much more than her own mother.
The Nurse - “Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
Context - This quote is spoken during a light-hearted scene where the Nurse, Lady Capulet, and Juliet discuss marriage. The Nurse fondly recalls Juliet’s childhood, sharing affectionate memories. This quote shows her deep emotional attachment to Juliet.
Analysis - The Nurse is expressing genuine love and affection for Juliet, remembering her as a beautiful baby. She speaks as if Juliet is like her own daughter. This quote highlights the maternal bond between them, one that is far stronger than Juliet’s relationship Lady Capulet. This also quote supports the idea that love and care aren’t always tied to biological family. The Nurse is more involved in Juliet’s emotional life than Lady Capulet.
Technique - The Nurse uses sentimental language as she reflects on the past with warmth and pride. This shows that the Nurse is emotionally open and loving. The use of “prettiest” (a superlative) suggests Juliet holds a special place in the Nurse’s heart, showing how uniquely precious she is to her.
Theme of Family, Love
The Nurse - “I think it best you married with the County. / O, he’s a lovely gentleman!” (Act 3, Scene 5)
Context - Juliet has just been told by her parents that she must marry Paris. She turns to the Nurse (her most trusted adult ) for help. Up to this point, the Nurse has supported Juliet’s secret marriage to Romeo but here she suddenly advises Juliet to forget Romeo (who’s been banished) and marry Paris instead.
Analysis - The Nurse is encouraging Juliet to be practical and obey to her family’s wishes by marrying Paris. She dismisses Juliet’s deep emotional bond with Romeo and prioritizes social stability. This advice feels like a betrayal to Juliet, who has trusted the Nurse more than anyone. The Nurse’s change in loyalty makes Juliet feels completely alone. Without the Nurse’s help, Juliet is forced to act independently which results in reckless actions causing her tragic death. The Nurse’s new advice on marriage reflects the older generation’s view of marriage as a social contract rather than a romantic union.
Technique - Irony because the Nurse once helped Juliet secretly marry Romeo, yet now she suggests her marrying Paris and this sudden shift is ironic as she loses trust in Juliet. The Nurse contrasts her earlier support of true love with this new, pragmatic advice, highlighting the generational gap between her and Juliet.
Theme of Love, Familial Honour
What are some character traits of Tybalt?
Tybalt is the villainous character of the play. He is confrontational, loves fighting and hates Montagues. He’s always looking to take on the Montagues in a fight and declares his desire to kill them.
Tybalt - “What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” (Act 1 Scene 1)
Context - In the very first scene of Romeo and Juliet. A brawl breaks out between the Montagues and Capulets, and Benvolio tries to break it up and make peace but Tybalt immediately responds with aggression.
Analysis - Tybalt mocks the idea of peace, associating it with weakness. This line shows Tybalt’s violent temper, intense family loyalty, and refusal to back down. Tybalt reflects a belief that masculinity equals aggression. Honour, to him, is defending family pride through violence.
Technique - Rule of three in “I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” showing the depth of Tybalt’s rage. The repetition of “hate” builds emotional intensity. Juxtaposition of “peace” being compared to “hell”
Theme of Familial Honour, Conflict/Violence
What are some character traits of Lord Capulet?
He is the head of the Capulet household, with huge responsibilities and power. At the beginning of the play he is protective and cares for her daughter shown through “My child is yet a stranger in the world.” However he becomes very angry and forces Juliet to agree to marry Paris later on.
Lord Capulet - “Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!” (Act 3, Scene 5)
Context - This outburst occurs after Juliet refuses to marry Paris. Up until this point, Lord Capulet seemed caring as he delayed Juliet’s marriage at the beginning. But here, his attitude drastically changes when his authority is challenged. He becomes verbally abusive, furious that Juliet is defying him.
Analysis - Capulet calls Juliet “baggage” and a “wretch”, suggesting she is a burden and a disgrace to the family. His harsh words reflect his view that Juliet is not a person, but rather property that must obey him. The quote reflects the strict gender roles of Elizabethan society, where fathers expected absolute obedience from daughters. Shakespeare uses this moment to explore the oppressive nature of patriarchal power.
Lord Capulet’s love for her is conditional on obedience.
Technique -The use of exclamation marks emphasizes his rage. Metaphor as she is described as ‘baggage’ which dehumanizes her and implies she is useless weight he has to carry. Juliet brings him shame and trouble instead of value or honour showing how she is a burden to him
Theme of Familial Honour, Conflict/Violence
Lord Capulet - “Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir; / My daughter he hath wedded.” (Act 4, Scene 5)
Context - This is said by Lord Capulet when he discovers Juliet’s seemingly lifeless body after she drinks the sleeping potion. He believes she is dead on the morning of her wedding to Paris.
Analysis - Capulet is expressing his grief and shock when he says Death has become his son-in-law, meaning death has claimed Juliet instead of Paris. His grief is framed in terms of loss of power, status, and inheritance and not personal sorrow. He is disappointed that his plans for wealth, alliance, and legacy have failed. This suggests that Lord Capulet’s love for Juliet is based on obedience and familial honour.
Technique - Personification of death as its described as if it were a person. This heightens the tragedy and shows Capulet’s devastation. Dramatic irony as the audience knows Juliet isn’t actually dead which adds to the emotional intensity.
Theme of Death, familial Love
Lord Capulet - “you green-sickness carrion” (Act 3 Scene 5)
Context - When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lord Capulet becomes furious and verbally abuses her to shame and threaten her into obedience.
Analysis - “Green-sickness” means a pale, sickly, unmarried girl. “Carrion” means rotting flesh which suggests Juliet’s worthlessness. Capulet is cruelly mocking Juliet, implying she is sickly, useless, and disgusting because she refuses to marry Paris.
Technique - Metaphor as calling her “carrion” creates a vivid, dehumanising image of Juliet as decaying flesh. This quote highlights how authoritarian and unsympathetic Lord Capulet becomes because Juliet is treated as property here, expected to obey without question.
Theme of Familial Honour
