Honour Flashcards
How does Shakespeare present honour?
R&J used as a vehicle to bring attention to problematic nature of honour.
How is this done?
Driven by character’s attempts to preserve reputation at all costs despite detriments. At times done through slander and violence, contributes to problematic nature.
Why has Shakespeare done this?
In order to warn audience of negative impact that pursuit of honour has.
At the beginning of the play…
“I strike quickly, being moved” (early in play - alludes to importance in families’ lives)
“The quarrel is between our masters, and us their men”
“We be in choler, we’ll draw” (‘draw’ - impulsive tendency to resort to violence)
As the play progresses…
“this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done to me” (even R attending is physical injury due to disrespect)
“O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” (passivity in failure to uphold family honour criticised - toxic masc led to undue pressure to use violence for defense of honour)
“My reputation stained with Tybalt’s slander” (honour fragile in nature, shattered by mere words)
As the play comes to a close…
“Art thou a man?” (outburst that goes against societal expectations of men detrimental to reputation, reinforced by ‘thy tears are womanish’ - prompting Romeo into preserving honour by comparison to stereotypically hysterical women)
“Thy face is mine and thou hath slandered it” (reputation preserved by holding authority, condemned by contemporary)
“For I will raise her a statue in pure gold” - using demonstration of wealth to heighten reputation despite trying to grieve - problematic as they do not learn)
