Romeo And Juliet - Themes Flashcards
(6 cards)
How is fate presented?
Friar - “violent delights have violent ends” foreshadows how their impulsive choices are going to lead to some sort of consequences, which is their tragic ending. The Victorians believed moral values such as honesty helped them to live a happy life so Romeo and Juliet going against their family grudge to be with each other is dishonest leading them to their tragic ending.
Prologue - “star-cross’d lovers” the dramatic irony makes the audience immediately aware of Romeo and Juliet tragic and having an unhappy ending due to external factors effecting their love, nothing that they do can prevent this and their fate is sealed.
How is love presented?
Juliet - “O swear not by the moon” demonstrates Juliet to have deep feelings for Romeo. It implies that she is connected to him and becoming emotionally attached. The “moon” is inconsistent and always changing which reflects how she doesn’t want him to change, fearing that their love will end. Juliet desires for a consistent love and relationship with Romeo.
Romeo - “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.
How is reactions to death presented?
Lord capulet “joints are stiff” the practical response of Juliet’s death highlights the gender stereotypes, Romeo and Juliet was set during the patriarchal society.
Lord capulet - “death lies upon her like untimely frost” the simile presents death to be destructive and harmful destroying beauty and joy. It is ironic how Lord capulet compares death to “frost” considering how frost eventually melts and wears off, which is what will happen to the potion Juliet had drunk and so will her false death. Lord capulet feels as if Juliet was taken too soon.
Nurse - “woeful day…hateful day” repetition empathises how this is the worst day for the nurse revealing how much Juliet means to the nurse and how close their relationship is. It is as if Juliet is her own child. It is ironic how this is the worst day for the nurse as her partner and daughter had both passed away. Further highlighting her devastation and love for Juliet.
Lady capulet - “I will die with thee” portrays Lady capulet to be dependent on Juliet. This shift shows us an emotional mother – daughter bond implying unconditional love. Had contrasting to when Juliet’s parents were going to disown her, this now feels as if lady capulet has lost part of herself.
How is violence presented?
Lord montague - “poor sacrifices” biblical imagery with a catholic audience linked to Jesus sacrifice himself the greater good of humanity, mirroring Romeo and Juliet being sacrificed for the good of society, empathising the tragedy of their deaths. Further linking to when the nurse called Julie lamb with the biblical link of Jesus is the lamb of God.
Prince - “have lost a brace of kinsmen”
How is gender presented?
Juliet - stage directions: stabs herself the violent, aggressive, masculine way of dying could imply desperation and panic. 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.
Lady capulet - “cover” metaphor describing Juliet presents Juliet as an object, that she should be in the marriage with Paris just for her looks. Links to in the Elizabethan era home on were often viewed as a possession to their father who then make a transaction with another family to pass on their daughter.
Lord capulet - “baggage, disobedient wretch” insults reveal Lord capulets disgrace and disgust with Juliet, however his anger is understandable as in the 1600s daughters were expected to obey their father. “baggage” presented Juliet as a burden on the family and she is weighing them down, which contrasts to the idea that she had value to him in act one.
How is parent child relationships presented?
Lord capulet - “her ripe” portrays his relationship with Juliet to be caring and protective. However, “ripe” could be interpreted to present Juliet as an object to lord capulet. Links contextually how young girls were seen to be property of their father to be passed on.
Lady capulet - “I would the fool were married to her grave” reflects how lady capulet doesn’t care anymore and is dismissive about Juliet’s feelings, lady capulet doesn’t protect Juliet in anyway. Lady capulet believes Juliet may as well be dead as she is not marrying, reflecting the pressure put on women strung the Victorian era to get married. “Grave” foreshadows that her secret marriage leads her to her death and “Fool” demonstrates the lack of respect or empathy.
