Present Romeo

Question 1

O brawling love! O loving hate!

Answer 1

Act 1 s 1

Question 2

Analysis

Answer 2

Here, Romeo speaks in a series of oxymorons, which reflect his emotional confusion and immaturity. The phrase “brawling love” fuses ideas of violence and affection, suggesting that Romeo’s understanding of love is already tainted by conflict and chaos. Similarly, “loving hate” reflects the contradictions in his world

Question 3

What does the o suggest

Answer 3

The repetition of “O” shows dramatic emotional outbursts, hinting at Romeo’s tendency to be

Question 4

With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls

Answer 4

In this line, Romeo describes love as giving him “light wings”, showing how idealised and uplifting his love for Juliet feels. Yet this fantasy-like imagery also shows how Romeo is detached from reality. He ignores the danger of trespassing

Question 5

stony limits” suggest

Answer 5

symbolises real-world obstacles — like the feud and societal expectations — but Romeo romanticises and overlooks

Question 6

Act 1 s 5

Answer 6

Shared sonnet

Question 7

This holy shrine,

Answer 7

This opening line of the sonnet is rich with religious imagery. Romeo compares Juliet to a “holy shrine,” suggesting that he worships her. The verb “profane” implies guilt or sin, as if touching her is something sacred and forbidden

Question 8

unworthiest hand suggest

Answer 8

The phrase “unworthiest hand” reveals Romeo’s low self-worth in comparison to Juliet, again emphasising his romantic idealism. It also reflects a kind of performative courtly love

Question 9

Technically

Answer 9

perfect Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines, iambic pentameter, ABAB rhyme) reflects the harmony and instant connection

Question 10

Reader response

Answer 10

A contemporary audience might see Romeo as naive and impulsive, falling too quickly for Juliet. But an Elizabethan audience may be more accepting of love at first sight,

Question 11

Writer intension

Answer 11

Shakespeare uses the shared sonnet to present Romeo as poetic, respectful, and emotionally intense. He also suggests that love, while beautiful, can be blinding and consuming — Romeo’s shift from Rosaline to Juliet within hours hints that he may be ruled more by impulse than true emotional maturity

Question 12

Act 1 s 1 shakepeare present

Answer 12

Shakespeare presents Romeo as both admirable and flawed: he is romantic, sincere, and brave, but also naive, reckless, and overly led by emotion. This duality makes him a tragic hero