Generational difference Flashcards
(16 cards)
Overview
Shakespeare uses ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as a vehicle to bring attention to the stark division between generations in an attempt to reconcile the relationship between the two. Whilst the older generation remains unwavering in the preservation of their reputation and status, the younger generation are presented as hasty and largely emotionally driven. Both generations appear to struggle to understand one another’s perspectives until it is arguably too late.
Beginning quotes
‘Madam, I am here, what is your will?
‘Am I the master here, or you?’
“Thou chid’st me off for loving Rosaline. For doting, not loving, pupil mine.”
Middle quotes
‘I pray you tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet, and when I do I swear it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate’.
‘Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? Doth, she does not count her blest, unworthy as she is’
‘Hang Thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch! … or never Look me in the face. Speak not, reply Not, do not answer me! My fingers itch’
Ending quotes
“I will be brief, for my short date of breath…unto the rigour of severest law”
“O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure”
“For I will raise her statue in pure gold”
Beginning opening
At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare presents generational differences as a cause of emotional distance and misunderstanding, especially through the conflicted interactions between parents and children.
‘Madam, I am here, what is your will?
- Juliet’s use of “madam” to address her own mother immediately signals the absence of emotional intimacy between them. The formality and stiffness of the language creates a tone of obligation rather than affection, which suggests that Juliet’s relationship with her parents is based on duty, not connection.
- The phrase “what is your will” further distances Juliet — she presents herself almost like a servant obeying orders, reducing the maternal relationship to a transactional exchange. The word “will” has connotations of control and hierarchy, reinforcing that Lady Capulet is more interested in managing Juliet than understanding her.
- This reflects a key generational difference: the older generation sees children as possessions to control, while Juliet, representing the younger generation, yearns for freedom and emotional fulfilment — especially in love.
‘Am I the master here, or you?’
- Lord Capulet’s rhetorical question marks a moment of tension — not just in the scene but symbolically in the power struggle between generations. By asking “Am I the master…?”, Capulet reveals his insecurity: the fact he must ask suggests his authority is being challenged.
- Tybalt, who is younger and consumed by the feud, represents a more aggressive, honour-based masculinity, common in younger male characters like Mercutio too. Capulet, in contrast, adopts a more pragmatic stance, urging restraint. This presents a generational divide in handling conflict — the younger generation acts impulsively, while the older has learned the consequences of violence.
- The phrase “master” is significant — it conveys Capulet’s desire to maintain dominance, not just over his household but over the narrative itself. But the need to assert this shows a crack in generational power: the older generation is losing control over the young.
- Shakespeare might be using this moment to comment on how rigid power structures are beginning to weaken, with the younger generation pushing against them in search of autonomy — something that will ultimately lead to tragedy.
“Thou chid’st me off for loving Rosaline. For doting, not loving, pupil mine.”
- This exchange between Romeo and Friar Lawrence reveals a more nuanced generational relationship. The Friar’s correction — that Romeo was “doting” not “loving” — reflects an older, rational view of love, which sees real affection as something deeper and more enduring than infatuation.
- The Friar refers to Romeo as “pupil mine”, reinforcing his role as a mentor and teacher. The possessive “mine” is gentle, even affectionate, which shows that their relationship is built on care, education, and trust, unlike the harsh discipline Romeo receives from his parents.
- While Romeo believes he is being mocked (“thou chid’st me”), the Friar’s tone is more corrective than cruel. This contrast shows how intergenerational understanding is possible, but only through empathy and communication — something Juliet’s parents sorely lack.
- The Friar represents an alternative model of older authority — one that guides rather than commands, and Shakespeare may be using this to suggest that reconciliation between generations is possible when pride and control are set aside.
Middle opening
As the play progresses, Shakespeare intensifies generational differences by portraying the older generation as controlling and emotionally unresponsive, leading to open rebellion and emotional isolation for the younger characters.
‘I pray you tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet, and when I do I swear it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate’.
- ‘I pray you tell my lord and father’ —> the verb ‘pray’ demonstrates a power imbalance since it creates imagery of her having to implore her mother for more time. This idea of having to ‘pray’ to him elevates her parents’ status since Juliet has to implore and beg for longer. This creates a power imbalance in the family
- showing a difference in generations. Also, in the verb ‘Tell’ which she says to her mother, this shows the generational divide since Juliet has to use her mother as a medium to communicate with other members of the older generation.
- ‘Madam’ —> formal address which shows a sense of respect for her parents. However, the term ‘madam’ can also be used to address any women within the Renaissance. This demonstrates a generational divide since this shows how she is emotionally detached and has no close relationship with her parents as she uses very formal terms as opposed to terms of endearment.
‘Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? Doth, she does not count her blest, unworthy as she is’
- ‘Doth she Not give us thanks?’ —> use of a question mark indicates his confusion as Capulet is in disbelief of Juliet’s reaction. This can demonstrate a distanced relationship between generations and a misunderstanding of each other since Capulet was not able to anticipate Juliet’s actions correctly. This shows his lack of a close relationship with her implying that the family is divided and not united between generations.
- ‘Unworthy as she is’ —> adjective ‘unworthy’ insinuates that Juliet is undeserving and should not be given the opportunity to marry someone such as Paris. This indicates a generational divide since Capulet is uncaring of the younger generations’ emotions since he is derogatory towards hi daughter without a regard for her response or feelings. Also, this adjective shows a negative perception of his daughter implying a dislike of her. This portrays a fragmented relationship between generations within renaissance families since Capulet does not feel proud of his daughter.
‘Hang Thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch! … or never Look me in the face. Speak not, reply Not, do not answer me! My fingers itch’
- ‘Young baggage’ —> noun ‘baggage’ creates imagery of a burden and dehumanises Juliet reducing her identity to something that is a burden or inconvenience to Capulet. This portrays the extent of the generational divide in Capulet’s dislike of his own daughter. Also, in the adjective ‘young’ used alongside the term ‘baggage’ which was said in contempt, this can imply that Capulet is criticising her youth. This portrays the generational divide in the older generations’ contempt towards the younger generations’ actions.
- ‘Disobedient wretch!’ —> adjective ‘disobedient’ is used to portray Juliet as disruptive and rebellious. This portrays the older generations dislike of their children defying them. This portrays a divide in their belief that they should hold authority over their children. Then, in the derogatory term ‘wretch’ is used to further show his fury and dislike towards the younger generations’ actions. This contempt that the older generation shows can also be reinforced by the use of exclamatory language anchoring Capulet’s dislike.
- ‘Never Look me in the face, speak not, reply not, do not answer me’ —> the use of the adverbs ‘never’ and ‘Not’ alongside the act of ‘speak[ing]’, ‘reply[ing]’ and answer[ing]’ can Show Capulet’s desire not to communicate with Juliet. This shows a fragmented family dynamic in the reluctance to listen to eachother. This portrays Capulet as a member of the older generation who wishes to hold power and be distanced from the younger generation. This can show the growing generational divide in their lack of unity.
- ‘My fingers itch’ —> the reference to the body part ‘fingers’ and the sensation of having an ‘itch’ can perhaps insinuate his want to use his fingers. In this context, this refers to want to use his hand to hit and harm his daughter. This shows his disgust towards the younger generation and want to hold authority which contributes to the growing family tension and family divide.
Ending opening
As the play comes to a close, Shakespeare presents a tragic resolution to the generational divide, showing that reconciliation is only achieved through death — a critique of delayed understanding and pride-driven conflict.
“I will be brief, for my short date of breath…unto the rigour of severest law”
· The fact that the Friar informs Romeo and Juliet’s parents at the very end of the play shows the lack of communication and trust between the younger generations and the older generation.
· The differences in the ideals between each generation, (the older favouring honour and the younger favouring freedom and love), has pushed them to be mutually distrustful for each other.
· The fact that the friar describes Juliet as having ‘wild looks’ demonstrates how the older generation has driven the younger generation to the brink.
“O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure”
· Only after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet h their children), do the Capulets and Montagues finally stop being fixated on their family feud and begin to reconcile.
· Shakespeare could show how the older generation can be fixated on what they favour without taking into consideration the thoughts of the younger generation.
· Shakespeare could also tell the audience to appreciate the other generation, before it’s too late, as shown through the phrase ‘this is my daughters jointure’, demonstrating how after not acknowledging his daughter, he is left with nothing.
“For I will raise her statue in pure gold”
· Montague here ends by using an offer to Capulet for Juliet, however it is a materialistic approach.
· His offer, highlights how the older generation despite still having these emotions, still try to attempt to elevate themselves over each other to empower their status. This emphasises their lack of understanding and willingness to change.
· Renaissance audience would see that as an act of gratitude and kindness, however the contemporary audience would see it as an arrogant display of his wealth
