CHARACTERS Flashcards
Romeo: “Did my heart love till now?”
Technique: Rhetorical question
Analysis: Romeo’s impulsive passion shows how quickly he falls in love and disregards past feelings.
Romeo: “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls”
Technique: Metaphor
Analysis: He romanticises danger, suggesting love gives him confidence and courage.
Romeo: “Then I defy you, stars!”
Technique: Defiance / Personification
Analysis: He blames fate, but ironically fulfils it — shows his lack of control.
Romeo: “Thus with a kiss I die”
Technique: Stage direction
Analysis: His final act is peaceful, contrasting the chaos that led to it.
Juliet: “My only love sprung from my only hate!”
Technique: Oxymoron
Analysis: Juliet is torn between love and loyalty — the oxymoron shows her inner conflict.
Juliet: “Deny thy father and refuse thy name”
Technique: Imperative
Analysis: She urges Romeo to reject his identity — bold rebellion against social norms.
Juliet: “O happy dagger!”
Technique: Metaphor
Analysis: She welcomes death if it means being with Romeo — love and death fused.
Juliet: “I’ll no longer be a Capulet”
Technique: Declarative
Analysis: Juliet is willing to abandon her family to choose love.
Mercutio: “A plague o’ both your houses!”
Technique: Curse / Exclamation
Analysis: Mercutio blames both families for his death, revealing the cost of their feud.
Mercutio: “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”
Technique: Pun / Foreshadowing
Analysis: His dark humour shows how close death is, even for comic characters.
Mercutio: “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!”
Technique: Triplet / Insult
Analysis: He mocks Romeo’s peace, reflecting masculine expectations and honour culture.
Mercutio: “You rat-catcher, will you walk?”
Technique: Mockery
Analysis: He provokes Tybalt — his aggression leads directly to tragedy.
Tybalt: “Peace? I hate the word”
Technique: Juxtaposition
Analysis: Tybalt embodies violence and despises peace — he’s driven by honour.
Tybalt: “This shall not excuse the injuries”
Technique: Accusation
Analysis: He seeks revenge for insults — shows how grudges escalate.
Tybalt: “What, drawn, and talk of peace!”
Technique: Sarcasm / Juxtaposition
Analysis: Mocks Benvolio’s peacefulness — highlights the absurdity of the feud.
Lord Capulet: “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch!”
Technique: Insult
Analysis: He loses control and verbally abuses Juliet — parental power and patriarchy.
Lord Capulet: “She is the hopeful lady of my earth”
Technique: Metaphor
Analysis: He sees Juliet as property — shows how marriage is transactional.
Lord Capulet: “My child is yet a stranger in the world”
Technique: Metaphor
Analysis: He wants Juliet to marry young — contrasts with her emotional maturity.
Friar Lawrence: “These violent delights have violent ends”
Technique: Foreshadowing
Analysis: He warns against rushing — irony, as no one listens.
Friar Lawrence: “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”
Technique: Proverb
Analysis: He criticises Romeo’s behaviour — clash between youth and wisdom.
Friar Lawrence: “Unhappy fortune!”
Technique: Irony
Analysis: The plan fails — shows how even good intentions can lead to tragedy.
Friar Lawrence: “Thy tears are womanish”
Technique: Gendered insult
Analysis: Friar uses gendered language to shame Romeo for emotional expression.
