Romeo And Juliet - Characters Flashcards
(20 cards)
How is Romeo presented as impulsive?
“Savage wild” reveals his impulsiveness and nature. “Wild” presents the raw and untamed side of Romeo and his actions are fierce.
“Fire eyed fury be my conduct now” reveals the recklessness of Romeo’s emotional state, he is consumed by anger and grief which causes him to make an irrational decision. By invoking “fire eyed fury” Romeo is calling upon a violent and uncontrollable force to guide his actions and the imagery “fire” suggest something destructive and out of control which further highlights his impulsivity. Romeo’s character is constructed that once his emotions have taken over he is willing to let them control his actions without thinking.
Stage direction : offers to stab himself this portrays Romeo to act on intense emotions without thinking about the consequences, and this moment shows how quickly his emotions quickly turned into extreme actions.
How is Romeo presented as depressed?
“Under loves heavy burden do I sink” the metaphor implies Romeo feels overwhelmed and weighed down by love. He isn’t experiencing the joy of love but the pain and pressure, Romeo feels crushed by the emotional strain it brings. The metaphor also highlights Romeo’s dramatic nature and gives a sense of how he experiences love as intense and consuming, this could foreshadow how he is so consumed in with Juliet things moved too sudden leading to tragic waste.
“Do I live dead?” The oxymoron implies Romeo feels emotionally dead although he is physically alive, he is consumed by unfulfilled love, so life doesn’t feel meaningful. The oxymoron of “live” and “dead” emphasise Romeo’s inner conflict of emotions which are affecting his existence. The dramatic reaction from Romeo demonstrates his lack of empathy and self pity towards himself, as he doesn’t understand rosalines view of the relationship
How is Romeo presented as having admiration for Juliet?
“Juliet is the sun” portrays Juliet to enlightens Romeo and that she leads him in the right direction reflecting off the idea of the ‘sun’. ‘Sun’ could also imply that his world revolves around her. However, calling her the ‘sun’ can link to the story of icuras, which was when he got to close to the sun he came to his end, which further foreshadows Romeo’s death caused by being with Juliet.
“Pilgrim” religious metaphor presents Romeo as a devoted follower to Juliet, he is willing to devote himself to her, and he worships her. This foreshadows Romeo’s willingness to kill himself when he believes Juliet is dead. The use of religious imagery could connect to the great chain of being and Romeo idolises Juliet and sees her as superior to himself and all other humans.
Stage directions : above on a balcony reflects how Romeo sees Juliet as elevated and idealised. It could also imply how she is out of his reach and too perfect for him. This emphasises his passionate and romantic feelings towards her. Juliet being higher than Romeo could connect to the great chain of being and Romeo idolises Juliet and sees her as superior to himself and all other humans.
How is Juliet presented as obsessed with Romeo?
“That one word ‘banished’ hath slain a thousand tybalts” reveals her heart is with Romeo and not her family, as it hurt her a lot more to hear Romeo’s banishment than tybalts death.
“Sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a capulet” highlights her devotion and commitment towards Romeo and her loyalties are with him.
The play has a sonnet rhyme scheme which is traditionally about love, reinforcing the idea that their connection is fated and they are meant for each other.
How is Juliet presented as having inner conflict?
“Serpent heart” the juxtaposition portrays Juliet to be confused about who Romeo really as, she think he has two sides to him. She is implying that Romeo seems kind and loving on the outside, however hidden inside him is his cruel and deceitful nature.
“Damnéd saint” the juxtaposition portrays Juliet to be confused about who Romeo really as, she think he has two sides to him. “Saint” connotes purity and virtue, illustrating how she admires him and could connect to the great chain of being as saints were higher up than humans, she sees him as superior to herself and all other humans. Whereas “damnéd” connotes condemnation and anger towards Romeo. It could also further connote that Romeo is the reason their fated love is cursed. The juxtaposition reflects the paradox Juliet is going through.
Juliet feels deceived by Romeo.
How is Juliet presented as not the stereotypical female?
“I will not marry yet” the demand reflect how she is asserting her own will and standing up for herself which was not expected from women in the 1600s, they should be obedient and not speak up. Considering this it demonstrates how loyal she is to Romeo as she is going against the social expectations, it could also foreshadow how her loyalty leads to a tragic ending. Juliet could be constructed to be like this due to the fact that Shakespeare was a proto feminist.
Stage directions : stabs herself the violent, aggressive, masculine way of dying could imply desperation and panic. Her desperation presents Juliet to be unable to live without Romeo. This presents her as more powerful then Romeo, could link to how Shakespeare was a proto feminist and that’s why he constructed Juliet to go against the social norms.
How is the friar presented as a parent figure Romeo?
“Wast thou with rosaline?” This highlights the friar and Romeos open, trusted and honest nature of their relationship as Romeo can tell him about his relationships, this is expected as in the 1600s wealthy parents were seen as masters and the children had a wet nurse. The question reflects the friars concern for Romeo’s emotional state as he is familiar with his past romantic experience, and he is now experiencing a rapid shift in Romeo’s feelings.
How is the nurse presented as a caring for Juliet?
“ I am the drudge and toil in your delight” highlights her devotion to Juliet, she loves her and wants her to be happy. “Drudge” is someone who does hard, tiring work which highlights how she is willing to go through physical and emotional effort to help and make Juliet happy. In the 1600s wealthy parents were seen more as masters and the children had wet nurses, who played more of a parent role to them.
“ I anger her sometimes, and tell her that Paris is the proper man” constructs the nurse to be protective and caring for Juliet as she would rather Juliet be happy then for Juliet to like her and she wants the best for her.
How is the nurse presented to idolise Juliet?
“Prettiest babe that e’er I nursed” implies the nurse has admired Juliet since her birth, she thinks Juliet is very memorable. The nurse lost her own child, Susan, and this gives a sense that Juliet has filled that emotional void. Highlighting how strong their relationship and Juliet is special to the nurse. It also shows how the nurse looks back on Juliet’s childhood showing an emotional attachment and she holds onto the memories with love. Saying Juliet was the prettiest baby that she ever nursed shows she is praising Juliet but she is also expressing and sense of pride in having raised her.
“Laid wormwood to my dug” the specific detail shows it is a strong memory for the nurse and she is holding onto the memories and won’t forget the. This gives a feel that the nurse is proud of Juliet of who she has become.
How is Tybalt presented as male aggressive?
“ Fetch me my rapier boy” demonstrates his impulsiveness and quick to anger as his first reaction is to grab a weapon. This links to the stereotypical Italian male which are hot headed. Tybalt has no interest in making peace, he puts revenge and conflict over social harmony. The demand builds tension foreshadowing the deadly clashes later on.
“ villain” the noun is incredibly disrespectful revealing tybalt to be full of hatred and anger. Calling Romeo this shows how tybalt wants to anger him which will lead to conflict between them, implying he wants unnecessary conflict.
How is tybalts anger driven by honouring his family?
“ Prince of cats” cats are seen to be aggressive animals which are often getting into fights, but they are also seen as loyal.
“ Stalk and honour of my kin” reflects how important family is to him, he feels responsible for protecting the capulets name and he is loyal to the ancient grudge. He sees violence as acceptable snd honourable. Tybalt is reflecting how the family feud is rooted in pride and honour. Elizabethan men were expected to protect the family honour.
How is Benvolio presented as a peacekeeper?
“part, fools” the immediate response form benvolio to stop the flight portrays him to be a peacekeeper and rational nature which sharply contrasts to tybalt. It reveals his courage to speak up and separate the people involved in the conflict. “Fools” implies benvolio thinks they are actually stupidly and childish.
“let’s retire” demonstrates how benvolio is cautious as he is trying to keep mercutio out if conflict, this could be because benvolio respects the princes threat, reflecting his maturity. Benvolio desires to prevent unnecessary violence.
How is mercutio presented as a male aggressive?
“plague on both your houses” he was very loyal to Romeo but was vey quick to switch up on home revealing his impulsiveness and recklessness. Mercutio is angry and frustrated with the feud between the houses as it led him to his death, highlighting the destructive consequences of their conflict as its not only harming the families but also innocent bystanders like himself, who are caught in the crossfire of the conflict. His curse also foreshadowed the tragic events to come between Romeo and Juliet. However, it reflects how mercutio switches up on Romeo to blame him for his death and wishes bad things upon him as well.
“ oh calm, dishonourable, vile submission” indicating he has been discussed by Romeo, in the 1600s it was expected for the males to stand up and fight when needed otherwise they would have been looked down upon.
“Mercutio”
How is the Prince presented as a peacemaker?
“What ho! you men, you beasts” implies the prince thinks they are behaving like animals which links to the great chain of being, their conflict has lowered their position on the chain. Highlighting the destructiveness of their behaviour on the city.
“ if you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” this threat illustrates that the prince speaks with authority and power. His tone is stern and serious implying he is fed up from the conflict and is going to being a stop to it. It also shows the prince values peace and he is willing to use extreme measures to restore peace.
How is Paris presented as virtuous?
“nightly” repetition conveys he’s caring, virtuous and devoted to Juliet. The repetition adds a poetic, almost romantic tone to his voice implying his actions are out of love for Juliet and he has deep feelings for her. It also portrays Paris to be persistent and not to give up on things. The “night” symbolises darkness and uncertainty which further foreshadows the dark and destructive events that will unfold later on in the play.
“he’s a flower”- said by the nurse the metaphor emphasises his attractiveness and the Nurse is implying Paris as a suitable and desirable match for Juliet. Flowers are see as delicate, admired, and associated with ideal forms reinforcing how the nurse thinks Paris is the man for Juliet as he has good qualities.
How is Paris presented as devoted to Juliet?
“open the tomb, lay with me Juliet” presents Paris to still be devoted and have love for Juliet and his desire to be reunited with her, even in death. His final words suggest a wish to be close to her, demonstrating an attachment and a longing for a shared afterlife. This implies Paris had genuine emotions for Juliet as he still thought of her once she was dead.
“nightly” repetition conveys he’s caring, virtuous and devoted to Juliet. The repetition adds a poetic, almost romantic tone to his voice implying his actions are out of love for Juliet and he has deep feelings for her. It also portrays Paris to be persistent and not to give up on things. The “night” symbolises darkness and uncertainty which further foreshadows the dark and destructive events that will unfold later on in the play.
How is lady capulet presented with stereotypical Elizabethan views?
“I was your mother much upon these days” is emphasizing that she was already a mother at Juliet’s age, reflecting how she supports the idea of early marriage, which was common in that society. Instead of showing personal affection or understanding, she compares Juliet to herself, almost treating her more like a social expectation than a daughter. This highlights the emotional distance between them. She is also subtly pressuring Juliet to marry Paris by using her own life as an example. It shows that she values social status over Juliet’s personal feelings.
“ here comes your father, tell him so yourself” Lady capulet changes into the stereotypical female and doesnt against what her husband says, she is stepping back and passing responsibility to the male. The tone feels threatening against Juliet and Juliet will not be backed up by her mother.
How is Lady Capulet presented as not having a close relationship with Juliet?
“talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word” suggests she values obedience and status over Juliets happiness. Lady capulet has completely abandoned Juliet fuelled by shame, Juliet can no longer rely on her mother. This line shows Lady Capulet turning her back on Juliet when she needs support most. Instead of comforting her, she withdraws completely, also highlighting the emotional distance between mother and daughter.
“ nurse, give leave a while… Nurse, come back again” portrays Lady Cauplet and Juliet don’t have a comftorble mother-daughter relationship, this links to in the 1600s the parents were seen more as masters and the children had wet nurses which were seen more like a mother figure.
How is Lord Capulet presented as protective?
“ my child is yet a stranger in the world” metaphor highlights Juliet’s innocence, youth and naïvety. He is implying she still lacks maturity, she is not only not emotionally ready but also not physically ready. This constructs lord capulet to be a caring and considerate father as he is considering if Juliet is ready or not, making it clear he wants his daughter to be happy.
“my will to her consent” portrays lord capulet to be a considerate and caring father. Lord capulet respects her wishes giving a sense of protectiveness and a gentile side to him.
“ Woo, her gentle Paris, get her heart” demonstrates care and consideration from Lord Capulet to Juliet as he wants her to feel loved in her future marriage, he plans to give her some choice in her marriage which also implies respect, love and care.
How is Lord presented as a stereotypical male?
“baggage” presents Juliet as a burden to Lord Capulet, which contrast to the idea that she had value to him in act one. The noun reflects he sees her as a burden and his is objectifying her. It reflects a lack of empathy from lord capulet as he is quick to dismiss her feelings. This insult also reflects the power dynamics of the time. Capulet expects obedience from Juliet. When she defies him, he lashes out with controlling and degrading language, showing how much he values dominance over understanding.
“green-sickness carrion” implies Lord Capulet views Juliet as a disease, thinks her disobedience will harm the family. He is expressing his complete discuss and disappointment.
“ my fingers itch” reveals he’s a stereotypical Italian man. He believes Juliet should obey him without question. When she doesn’t, he reacts with threats and the possibility of physical punishment. His need to assert dominance reveals his fear of losing control over his household and his daughter.
