Power Flashcards
(16 cards)
Overview
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses the theme of power as sa vehicle to explore how individuals are often trapped and destroyed by forces beyond their control, such as fate, patriarchy and intense emotional passion. Throughout the play, power is expressed many divergent forms, such as the power of fate and supernatural forces that govern destiny, to the violent social structures that prioritise honour and support male dominance. Shakespeare presents these forces as relentless and inescapable, and uses the deaths of the eponymous characters as a warning against those who try to challenge social norms.
beginning
- “I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.” — Sampson
- “Draw, if you be men.” — Gregory
- “What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell.” — Tybalt
- “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” — Prince Escalus
- “I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.” — Sampson
(1) At the beginning of the play, during the opening street brawl, (2) the Capulet servant Sampson (3) brags that he will ‘push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.’ (5) Shakespeare (6) employs violent and sexually aggressive imagery (7) fused with a crude metaphor (8) to convey the way male power is exercised through threats of domination. (12) The verb ‘thrust’ (13) ‘thrust his maids to the wall’ (14) connotes sexual aggression, (15) suggesting that power is gendered and rooted in violence against both male enemies and women. (18) This implies a patriarchal society where violence equals power, (19) enforcing toxic masculinity as the social norm.
- “Draw, if you be men.” — Gregory
(1) In the same scene, (2) Gregory (3) challenges his enemies by shouting, ‘Draw, if you be men.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses imperative verbs and direct address (7) fused with a challenge to masculinity (8) to convey how male honour is closely tied to the ability to fight.
(12) The adjective ‘men’ (13) ‘if you be men’ (14) connotes bravery and aggression, (15) creating the impression that power is only earned through violence and defending one’s honour.
(18) This implies that the pressure to be powerful distorts male identity, (19) making peace seem cowardly.
- “What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell.” — Tybalt
1) Shortly after, in the same confrontation, (2) Tybalt (3) exclaims, ‘What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses repetition and religious imagery (7) fused with harsh plosive sounds (8) to communicate Tybalt’s extreme hatred of peace and preference for violence.
(12) The noun ‘hell’ (13) ‘I hate hell’ (14) connotes damnation and chaos, (15) suggesting Tybalt equates power with destructive conflict.
(18) This implies that violence is embedded in the family honour code, (19) leaving no space for peace or forgiveness.\
- “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” — Prince Escalus
(1) At the end of the scene, (2) Prince Escalus (3) warns both families that ‘your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.’ (5) Shakespeare (6) employs formal and legalistic diction (7) fused with threatening tone (8) to convey the power of the state to control public order through fear. (12) The noun ‘forfeit’ (13) ‘pay the forfeit’ (14) suggests a consequence or punishment, (15) creating the impression that the Prince’s power mirrors the violence he condemns. (18) This implies an unstable political authority, (19) one that depends on punishment rather than justice.
middle
- “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep.” — Juliet
- “I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise.” — Romeo
- “A plague o’ both your houses!” — Mercutio
- “Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.” — Romeo
- “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep.” — Juliet
(1) In Act 2, during the balcony scene, (2) Juliet (3) declares to Romeo, ‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses simile and natural imagery (7) fused with a semantic field of infinity and depth (8) to convey the power of Juliet’s emotional and romantic expression.
(12) The adjective ‘boundless’ (13) ‘my bounty is as boundless’ (14) symbolises limitless generosity, (15) creating the impression that love is a form of personal empowerment for Juliet.
(18) This suggests that emotional power contrasts sharply with the violent power shown earlier, (19) revealing a softer but still potent force.
- “I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise.” — Romeo
(1) During Tybalt’s confrontation in Act 3, (2) Romeo (3) says, ‘I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses calm tone and paradox (7) fused with declarative protest (8) to convey Romeo’s refusal to return aggression.
(12) The verb ‘protest’ (13) ‘I do protest’ (14) implies sincerity and moral strength, (15) creating the impression that emotional control is a higher form of power.
(18) This challenges the toxic masculine norm, (19) suggesting that love could be a solution to inherited hate.
- “A plague o’ both your houses!” — Mercutio
(1) As he dies, (2) Mercutio (3) curses, ‘A plague o’ both your houses!’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses biblical allusion and repetition (7) fused with exclamatory tone (8) to convey his anger and sense of injustice.
(12) The noun ‘plague’ (13) ‘a plague’ (14) symbolises divine punishment and destruction, (15) creating the impression that Mercutio sees the families’ power struggles as contagious and fatal.
(18) This line reveals how innocent people are destroyed by the corrupt use of power, (19) warning of the consequences of inherited conflict.
- “Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.” — Romeo
(1) After Mercutio’s death, (2) Romeo (3) declares, ‘Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses personification and metaphor (7) fused with dramatic tone (8) to present Romeo’s surrender to anger and violence.
(12) The phrase ‘fire-eyed fury’ (13) ‘fire-eyed fury’ (14) connotes blinding rage and destruction, (15) creating the impression that emotions, when left unchecked, become a dangerous form of power.
(18) This implies that Romeo’s emotional shift mirrors the societal cycle of vengeance, (19) highlighting how love and hate exist side by side.
end
- “Myself have power to die.” — Juliet
- “Then I defy you, stars!” — Romeo
- “Here’s to my love.” — Romeo
- “Myself have power to die.” — Juliet
(1) In Act 4, contemplating her situation, (2) Juliet (3) states, ‘Myself have power to die.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) employs paradox and personal pronoun (7) fused with a declaration of agency (8) to show how Juliet reclaims control through her own death.
(12) The word ‘myself’ (13) ‘myself have power’ (14) suggests self-determination, (15) creating the impression that Juliet finds empowerment in choice, even if that choice is death.
(18) This implies that death becomes her final act of defiance, (19) allowing her to escape patriarchal control.
- “Then I defy you, stars!” — Romeo
(1) In Act 5, upon hearing of Juliet’s “death,” (2) Romeo (3) cries, ‘Then I defy you, stars!’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses celestial imagery and dramatic irony (7) fused with a rebellious tone (8) to portray Romeo’s refusal to accept fate.
(12) The verb ‘defy’ (13) ‘I defy you’ (14) suggests rebellion, (15) creating the impression that Romeo sees power in choosing his own destiny, even if it leads to death.
(18) This reflects the tragedy that attempts to control fate only reinforce its inevitability, (19) intensifying dramatic irony.
- “Here’s to my love.” — Romeo
(1) Just before drinking poison, (2) Romeo (3) says, ‘Here’s to my love.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses simple syntax and declarative tone (7) fused with emotional weight (8) to convey the final moment of Romeo’s tragic choice.
(12) The noun ‘love’ (13) ‘to my love’ (14) symbolises devotion, (15) creating the impression that Romeo sees death as an expression of power through passion.
(18) This shows that love’s power can be both uplifting and fatal, (19) blurring the line between romance and self-destruction.
- “All are punish’d.” — Prince Escalus
(1) At the end of the play, (2) the Prince (3) declares, ‘All are punish’d.’
(5) Shakespeare (6) uses short syntax and finality (7) fused with judgemental tone (8) to convey the consequences of unchecked power and hatred.
(12) The word ‘punish’d’ (13) ‘all are punish’d’ (14) implies universal guilt, (15) creating the impression that no one escapes the repercussions of societal and personal failings.
(18) This final line implies that power, when misused, leads to collective suffering, (19) cementing the play’s tragic moral.
