Family and Authority Flashcards
Family quote 1
‘O where is Romeo? Saw ‘you him today? Act 1
Lady Montague uncertainty of the whereabouts of her son, {quote}, highlights a clear divide and disconnect between the older generation and younger generation.
Family quote 2
‘well think of marriage now’ Act 1
Lady Capulet employs flattery and speaks highly of Paris as a means to persuade Juliet. This use of the word ‘seeks’, objectifies Juliet suggesting that marriage is for the man and not the woman.
Family quote 3
“Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church Or I will drag thee on hurdle thither”
reveals how Capulet has made marriage arrangements without Juliet’s consent, assuming she would obey. The threat of dragging her on a “hurdle”—a method historically linked to executions—intensifies the brutality of his anger, showing how her disobedience is treated not just as rebellion, but as a personal betrayal worthy of punishment. This reflects the extreme control expected of daughters and the dangerous consequences of defying patriarchal authority.
Family quote 4
Act 4 “O me, O me, my child , my only life!’
Indicative of how it takes death for Lady Capulet to show maternal attributes of care an concern where previously she did nothing to help her.
Family quote 5
“O thou untaught! what manners is in this / To press before thy father to grave”
he expresses heartbreak and disbelief that his son has died before him. The word “untaught” suggests Romeo’s actions—particularly taking his own life—go against the values and expectations of filial obedience. Shakespeare uses this moment to explore the tragic breakdown of family structures, where love, conflict, and miscommunication lead to irreversible loss
