Character plans R and J Flashcards
Romeo
Summary:
- He is the son of a wealthy Veronese family.
- He is serious.
- At the start, he is infatuated with Rosaline.
- He falls in love with Juliet at the ball.
- He marries Juliet and kills Tybalt.
- He also kills Paris and dies in Juliet’s tomb.
Importance of Romeo.
He is the male lead in the play. He acts as the party’s hero and is central through his relationship with Juliet. Many of his choices govern the action in the play.
Writing about Romeo.
“Verona brags of him”: He has a good reputation and is held in high esteem.
“Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo”: Through Juliet, he learns the value of real love that is returned.
“O i am fortune’s fool”: Romeo realises that Tybalt’s death will make it impossible for him to be open about his marriage to Juliet.
Juliet.
Summary:
- Juliet is the daughter of the Capulet, the rival family to the Montagues. She is young, sensitive and resourceful.
- Meets and falls in love with Romeo at the ball.
- Proclaims her love with Romeo from her balcony.
- Takes the potion the Friar has supplied.
The importance of Juliet.
Juliet is the romantic heroine in the play. She is the female lead and presents a challenging character. Though she seems demure and innocent, she is fiercely independent and knows her own mind. Her love with Romeo is an instant attachment.
Writing about Juliet.
“She doth teach the torches to burn bright”: The lovers’ fateful first meeting shows how they are instantly attracted to each other and Romeo’s feelings for Rosaline pale into insignificance compared to how he describes Juliet.
“Death lies on her like an untimely frost”: Juliet seems to have been treated harshly and coldly by her parents.
“In crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks”: The tragic irony is that at this point, Juliet is still alive.
Mercutio.
Summary:
- Mercutio is one of the Prince’s kinsmen and Romeo’s friend.
- He is a lively passionate man whose death in a duel with Tybalt fatally changes the course of Romeo’s love.
- He accompanies Romeo to the masked ball.
- He attempts to cheer up Romeo who is suffering because of his love.
- He duels with Tybalt.
- Is stabbed as a result of Romeo’s intervention.
- Utters a curse on both the Capulets and Montagues in his dying breaths.
Writing about Mercutio.
“You have dancing shoes with nimble soles”: Mercutio acts as a foil to Romeo and his lovesick sensitivity. However, Mercutio too is capable of imaginative musings.
“Peace, peace, Mercutio”: Mercutio speaks of dreams and the fairy word. He is quick to change from lively banter to flights of fanciful imaginings.
“Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk”: Mercutio’s mood can change quickly. He is an adept swordsman.
“Brave Mercutio is dead”: Mercutio seems to have been almost a leader amongst these young men.
The Nurse.
Summary:
- The Nurse has brought Juliet up from a baby and is Juliet’s closest friend and confidante until the point at which Juliet is to be forced into marriage with Paris.
- She is involved in the first discussions about Juliet’s marriage to Paris.
- Is sent to Romeo to organise the marriage ceremony.
- Arranges for Romeo to come to Juliet after he has banished.
- Discovers the apparently dead body of Juliet.
Writing about the Nurse.
“Seek happy nights to happy days”: Much of the
Nurse’s language contains sexual banter and innuendo.
“A good nurse”: The Nurse is more fickle where Romeo is concerned.
“O most wicked fiend”: The Nurse is suggesting Juliet commits a sinful act.
Friar Laurence.
Summary:
- He is a man who has taken holy orders and is able to marry the lovers. He is also Romeo’s friend and advisor.
- He is respected by Romeo.
- He agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet.
- He shelters Romeo after his fight with Romeo and his banishment.
- He is unable to stop Juliet killing herself.
Writing about the Friar.
The Friar is often seen as a good man seeking to do his best for the young lovers in the play. However, it is useful to stop and question some of his actions and motives. Though we see the Friar as wise, for example in the advice he gives to Romeo about not acting in haste, and also learned, he is also somewhat naïve.
Benvolio.
Benvolio is part of the Montague family. He is mild-mannered and has good intentions.
- He tries to stop the street fight.
- He tries to help Lady Montague find out what is upsetting Romeo.
- He listens to Romeo and tries to get him to feel more positive about his disappointment in love.
- He tries to avoid the second, more serious fight but Tybalt and Mercutio will not listen to him.
Writing about Benvolio.
It is important to consider that writing about Benvolio means writing about his role as peace-keeper. Though we are told of violence and brawls in the streets of Verona, Benvolio appears mature and always ready to speak sense and reason. He has a close relationship with Romeo.
Tybalt.
Tybalt is Juliet’s fiery cousin, swift to feel angered and insulted by the Montague clan. Tybalt is clearly set on fighting as a means of resolving issues. He aggravates the fighting in the opening scene and causes the trouble in Act III that fatally changes the course of events. During the play, he:
- insists on fighting.
- overhears Romeo at the ball.
- challenges Romeo and kills Mercutio.
