Romeo and juliet quotes Flashcards
(48 cards)
- “And yet no farther than wanton’s bird, Who lets it hop a little from his hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves”
juliet Balcony Scene - This quote shows how quickly Juliet’s feelings for Romeo have grown. She wants to let him go (for his safety) but also wants to keep him close, Romeo is compared to a bird on a string, and Juliet is the child holding it — this shows her desire for control, even in her love.
“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”
Romeo Balcony Scene - Shows Romeos idealization of Juliest as he compare her to the sun which is essential, powerful, and beautiful. Metaphor; Juliest is compared to the sun symbolising warmth and life. Reinforces theme “life vs darkness”, also one of the first moment they shared their love
“O, swear not by the monn, th’ inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.”
Juliet balcony scene - Juliet shows maturity and caution, warning Romeo to not swear by something so inconsistant. Reinforces Juliets desire for sincere love. Symbolism; the moon represents inconsistency.
“This bud of love, by summmers ripening breath, May prove a beautous flower when next we meet”
Juliet Balcony scene - Juliet shows hope but also patience. She wants their love to grow naturally over time. Metaphor; love as a budding flower, growing with time. reinforces the theme of love.
“For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”
Friar Lawrence -> Romeo - Setup of secret marriage.vShows the friar belief in love as a peacemaking force, reinforces theme of love. Dramatic Irony; audience suspects this wont go smoothly
“These violent delights have violent ends/ And in their triump die, like fire and powder”
Friar Lawrence -> Romeo - He warns Romeo showing his wisdom, Foreshadows how Romeo and Juliests relationship doesnt end well, reinformes the theme of impulsive love and aggression.
“What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.”
Tybalt before intro fight - EstablishesTybalt as an agrresive character, reinforces the theme of violence and hatred, between famalies. Metaphor; compares his hatred to hell and the Montagues.
“But in that crystal scales let there be weighed, Your lady’s love against some other maid.”
Benvolio - Benvolio encourages Romeo to move on from Rosaline, shows benvolio is caring, reinforces theme of love. Metaphor: The “crystal scales” act as a metaphor for an unbiased, precise measure of love, implying that love, although emotional, can be compared in a rational way.
“My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words, Of that tongues uttering, yet I know the sound.”
Juliet - This implies that she has not yet heard a large amount of words from him, indicating that he has not yet finished speaking. This suggests that even with a limited amount of words spoken, she can already identify him as the speaker.
“Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.”
Romeo - This shows Romeo’s romantic and emotional nature. Happens during one of the most important scenes: when Romeo and Juliet admit their love. Emphasizes the theme of love. Simile;
“No sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir.”
Sampson - Sampson is shown as provocative but cowardly, It also reflects how honor and reputation are so important in Verona, emphasises theme of violence as it leads to the first fight in the play. foreshadows how small misunderstandings and impulsive actions will eventually lead to tragedy.
“My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”
Romeo - Shows Romeo’s charm, confidence, and romantic nature. This is the very beginning of Romeo and Juliet’s love story. Reinforces theme of love at first sight. Metaphor; Romeo compares his lips to “blushing pilgrims” and Juliet’s hand to a “holy shrine.”
“I conjure thee by Rosalines bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip”
Mercutio - shows Mercutio’s sarcastic and witty personality, also shows that Mercutio is unaware of Romeo’s sudden shift of love from Rosaline to Juliet. Irony; Mercutio is trying to summon Romeo by talking about Rosaline, but the audience knows Romeo has already fallen for Juliet and is no longer interested in Rosaline.
“Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine, With repetition of my ‘Romeo’.”
Juliet - shows Juliet’s deep passion and longing for Romeo. emphasiss the theme of Romantic love. Allusion; Juliet refers to Echo, a figure from Greek mythology who could only repeat the last words spoken to her.
“For now these days is the mad blood stirring.”
Benvolio - shows Benvolio’s thoughtful and cautious nature. It’s a turning point in the play: after this, the tone shifts from romantic to tragic. Forces the theme of violence. foreshadows the violent events that follow, especially the duel between Mercutio and Tybalt, and Romeo killing Tybalt.
“I do protest, I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise”
Romeo - shows Romeo’s maturity and desire for peace, That fight leads directly to Romeo’s banishment—a huge turning point in the story. Enforces them love vs hate. Dramatic Irony; the audience knows why Romeo wants peace all of a sudden and doesnt want to fight tybalt.
“Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”
Shows Mercutio’s wit and humor, even in the face of death. His death causes Romeo to lose control and kill Tybalt, which leads to Romeo’s banishment. Enforces the theme of violence and loss. Foreshadowing; This line hints at the flood of death and tragedy that’s about to follow.
“Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper softened valour’s steel.”
Romeo - This shows Romeo’s inner conflictt, as he’s torn between love and honor. This is the moment Romeo decides to fight Tybalt — the choice that leads to Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment. Enforces theme love vs violence.
Metaphor; “Valour’s steel” compares courage to steel — strong and sharp — which has now been “softened.”
“O I have bought the mansion of a love, But not possessed it…”
Juliet feels torn because, although she has Romeo’s love, the circumstances surrounding their love (the feud, Tybalt’s death, Romeo’s banishment) have prevented them from fully enjoying it. Enforces theme of love and conflict.
Metaphor; Juliet compares her love for Romeo to buying a mansion, but she hasn’t yet fully possessed or enjoyed it, suggesting that their love, though real, is incomplete.
“Hath Romeo slain himself? Say thou but ‘Ay’, and that bare vowel ‘I” shall poison more than the death-darting eye of cockatrice.”
juliet (after hearing that Romeo has killed Tybalt) - Juliet’s deep emotional intensity and extreme devotion to Romeo. It also highlights Romeo’s banishment as a pivotal moment. Enforces the theme fo leave and death. Hyperbole (Exaggeration);
Juliet exaggerates the power of the word “I” to show how deeply she feels for Romeo.
“To Mantua, where thou shalt live, till we can find a time To blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, Beg pardon of the prince, and call thee back With twenty-hundred-thousand times more joy”
Friar Lawrence - highlights Friar Laurence’s role as a mentor and problem-solver. Romeo’s temporary separation from Juliet and introduces the concept of the long-term plan for their happiness, which, tragically, will not. Enforces the theme of hope.
Foreshadowing:
The idea of a plan that will lead to “more joy” is ironic since the play ends tragically. It’s a hopeful plan that ultimately cannot succeed.
“Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.”
Juliet - Her words reflect a growing sense of dread, revealing how tied her love is to fear and loss. This line is major foreshadowing—Romeo will die in a tomb, and Juliet will see him dead there. Enforces the them of love and death.
“Fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Pater’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.”
Lord Capulet - reveals Lord Capulet’s controlling and authoritarian nature. This moment raises the stakes—Juliet is now totally isolated and pushes her closer to Friar Laurence’s risky plan, which leads to the final tragedy. Creates a theme of obsessive love.
Alliteration:
“Fettle your fine joints” uses repeating ‘f’ sounds for emphasis and rhythm, drawing attention to the line.
