Benvolio Flashcards
Vehicle statement
Shakespeare uses the character of Benvolio as a vehicle to contrast examples of toxic masculinity within the play and therefore showcase preferred behaviours in men. Benvolio takes a level-headed approach to matters, acting as a peace-maker in Verona whilst all the while remaining as loyal as possible to Romeo throughout.
Shakespeare uses the character of Benvolio as a vehicle to place focus on the male capacity to demonstrate peace and goodwill to others, as demonstrated by the direct link shared between his name and the act of benevolence.
Benvolio takes a level-headed approach to matters, acting as a peace-maker in Verona whilst all the while
remaining as loyal as possible to Romeo throughout.
Act 1
‘I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me’.
• ‘Keep the peace’ —> verb —> ‘keep’ —> draw attention to his character and his purpose to the play as a character that maintains peace.
• ‘Peace’ —> in the sequencing of the play —> first to mention the idea of peace. This reinforces his persona
as an advocate of peace. This portrays him as a foil to Tybalt who is the first character to reference ‘hate’.
• ‘Put up thy sword’ —> repeats his request using imperative ‘put up’ similar to in his previous quote. The use of repetition reinforces his urgency in maintaining peace and avoiding conflict. In this, he portrays himself as a character juxtaposing other men of the Renaissance Era since he does not exhibit any male bravado but is rational and calming.
• ‘Manage it to part these men with me’ —> verb —> ‘manage’ —> wants to control and prevent the violence
from further worsening. This portrays him as a kind and calm character. Also, in the adjective ‘with’ —>
implies his desire for unity and willingness to collaborate with Tybalt. This portrays how he does not want to engage in the hatred of the feud but instead wants unity and peace. This perhaps highlights his insightful nature —> sees futility of the feud.
• A Renaissance audience may be taken aback by Benvolio’s resistance to violence given their firm expectation that men should be the aggressors in any given situation. In direct contrast, a contemporary audience may have view Benvolio as particularly courageous in that he does not succumb to the expectation to fight and instead prioritises making moral decisions.
Act 1
‘See, where he comes: so please you, step aside; I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied.’
• Romeo’s parents are unable to identify the cause for his melancholy however Benvolio feels confident that
he will be able to ascertain this information which provides insight into the closeness of their relationship both as cousins and friends.
• Benvolio’s belief in his abilities to understand his friend is supported through the use of ‘I’ll know’.
• Saying that, Benvolio does not believe that he is infallible and adds that he is aware that he may not get to the truth of the matter if Romeo does not allow for this conversation to occur.
Act 1
‘Alas that love so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous and rough in proof.’
• Benvolio continues to offer his sympathies to Romeo. He acknowledges that Romeo’s perception of love may not adhere to his actual experience.
• Use of the adjectives ‘tyrannous’ and ‘rough’ allows Benvolio to acknowledge Romeo’s depth of sadness as his experience of love is being presented as particularly difficult. In this, he sympathises with Romeo’s plight showing their close bond and his understanding that Romeo needs comfort.
• Unlike other male characters, Benvolio takes the time to reflect upon the impact of love whereas most others would simply ignore it or consider such reactions as cowardly which seeks to further emphasise his loyal nature.
Act 1
‘Compare her face with some that I shall show, and I will make thee think thy swan a crow.’
• Benvolio continues to take charge of Romeo’s circumstances to try and better his mood.
• He gives explicit instruction for Romeo to turn his attentions to other women so that he may see the flaws in Rosaline’s supposed beauty. Swans were considered the epitome of beauty and grace in direct contrast to crows who were seen as unsightly and a bad omen.
• Benvolio wishes to support Romeo in the best way he can which seeks to demonstrate his care for him.
• His conviction that Romeo’s thoughts on Rosaline will change indicates their close relationship since it implies that Benvolio has been present when this change in love has occurred before. This shows their closeness as characters.
Act 2
‘Romeo! My cousin Romeo! Romeo!’
• Benvolio continues to search for Romeo, revealing his genuine worry and care for him.
• The repetition of ‘Romeo’ shows how desperately worried about his cousin and how caring for his family is his primary concern.
• His sense of urgency is also reinforced through the use of consecutive exclamatory sentences indicating his growing worry.
• This can also portray him as insightful since he is extremely worried perhaps due to his understanding of the dangers of being near the Capulet masquerade.
Act 2
‘Go, then; for ‘tis in vain to seek him here that means not to be found.’
• Benvolio finally realises that Romeo does not want to be found.
• This highlights Benvolio’s ability to understand Romeo and the reasons for his actions and decisions.
• Benvolio’s deep understanding for Romeo further reinforces their strong bond as cousins.
Act 3
‘I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire: the day is hot…’
• Benvolio has a level of insight as he recognises that tensions are high shown through the use of the adjective ‘hot’. This differs from the typical renaissance man who would seek for a reason to fight. Shakespeare may have done this to criticise toxic masculinity in the renaissance.
• Benvolio also uses flattery in order to persuade Mercutio from acting hasty and instigating more conflict.
Act 3
‘We talk here in the public haunt of men: either withdraw unto some private place… Or else depart; here all eyes gaze
on us.’
• He’s being benevolent and trying to placate the situation by trying to calm things down by talking elsewhere
• Thinking of the consequences rather the now and is showing his maturity by trying to not fight
• Thinking of others as he knows the conflict affects everyone and realises this with ‘all eyes gaze on us’
Act 3
‘This is the truth or let Benvolio die’
• ‘This is the truth’ —> short sentence indicates his sense of strong conviction in his beliefs of the truth. Also, in the reference to the noun —> ‘truth’ —> demonstrates how his character is an embodiment of the truth and honesty. This portrays him as a sincere character and one that endeavours for the truth.
• ‘Let Benvolio die’ —> verb —> ‘die’ —> further reinforces his characters personality as truthful since his reference to death shows his conviction in the truth since he is willing to forfeit his life if he is incorrect.
• ‘Benvolio die’ —> takes on a 3rd person persona. Perhaps done to make the audience completely aware of the actions that occurred within the scene.
