Honour Flashcards
Overview
Shakespeare uses ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as a vehicle to spotlight the loyalty the characters demonstrate towards family as an attempt to preserve their honour. Male characters frequently involve themselves in violent conflicts as a way to prove their superiority over one another in the name of their family. However, this pursuit of honours result in the needless death of characters such as Tybalt and Mercutio which may be Shakespeare warning his audience of the detrimental consequences of the pursuit of honour.
What noise is this? Give me my long sword,ho!’
• Lord Capulet appears to be very reactive and is quick to turn to weaponry and violence
• He knows little about unfolding events in Verona however responds in an aggressive manner in an attempt to protect his family’s reputation and honour- an approach which is largely upheld by those who belong to the
older generation.
‘I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!’
• ‘Hate’ – noun used to bring attention to Tybalt’s intense dislike for the enemy as well as any prospect of peace. Tybalt embodies the toxic masculinity which permeates the entirety of the play. His use of derogatory terms such ‘coward’ is used to try and instigate violence.
• First character to mention hatred in the play, which brings attention to Tybalt’s role as a catalyst for violence.
• Use of consecutive exclamatory sentences further emphasises Tybalt’s strong feelings of hatred. He appears
unable to control his emotions or regulate his behaviour towards others.
• Comparison of Montagues to ‘hell’ would be particularly impactful given the Renaissance society’s strong focus
on religion. Significant declaration in terms of capturing Tybalt’s hatred for the opposing family.
‘This, by his voice should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier boy’.
• Instantly resorting to violence, Tybalt adheres to the Renaissance perception of men as violent and aggressive, especially when confronted by a threat to their honour.
• Tybalt is very quick to react despite not having any conclusive evidence. He only guesses that this voice belongs to a Montague.
• The immediate request for weaponry indicates how violence is always at the forefront of his mind with little thought of the consequences of such actions. His aggressive nature is powered and catalysed by anger for the opposing family.
• Through the sequencing of this scene, the direct contrast between Tybalt and Romeo’s approaches is made apparent as Romeo places a focus upon love with Tybalt directly opposing this with his ideas of violence.
Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.’
• The reference to the nouns ‘stock’ and ‘honour’ gives way to Tybalt’s strong sense of pride and duty. Using honour as a motive to fight allows Tybalt to garner support from a Renaissance audience who would largely support his actions.
• Reference to ‘kin’ seeks to further justify Tybalt’s actions as he uses family as an excuse to initiate conflict.
‘O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!’
• Use of the powerful adjectives highlights how Mercutio criticises Romeo’s passivity in his failure to uphold their family’s honour.
• Toxic masculinity has led to an undue pressure upon characters which results in violence as a means to preserve one’s honour.
‘Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.’
• The use of the noun ‘boy’ brings attention to Tybalt’s contempt for Romeo. He wishes to present him as inferior and incompetent by way of comparison.
• Tybalt does not hesitate to use violence when it comes to fighting against the Montages as he feels it is a way to preserve both his and the Capulet family’s honour.
• Tybalt feels that he has been wronged by Romeo and therefore looks to avenge such actions which highlights a keenness to protect his honour and reputation.
• He commands Romeo to ‘therefore turn and draw’ as Tybalt sees violence as the only resolve this feud. He is unable to navigate these circumstances without aggression which further emphasises his volatile nature.
‘Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!’
• When faced with increasing tensions, Romeo has no choice but to revert to violence and the encouragement of such acts. The use of ‘draw’ and ‘beat’ help to underscore a return to previous aggressions. He cannot allow for his reputation to be tarnished and considers such actions as an ‘outrage’ or insult to his family.
‘I am hurt. A plague o’ both your houses!’
• Mercutio begins to recognise the severity of his wound. The use of the noun ‘plague’ demonstrates Mercutio’s animosity towards both families as he curses the Montagues and Capulets.
• Mercutio understands that the feud was ultimately futile only as he nears the end of his own life. Mercutio has failed to appreciate the sanctity of life in advance of his own death given his relentless pursuit of honour.
Friar Lawrence – ‘Art thou a man?’
• Having heard of his banishment, Romeo threatens to end his own life. Friar Lawrence’s response of ‘Art thou a man?’ seeks to attack Romeo’s masculinity.
• He views such a violent outburst as detrimental to his reputation. This is reinforced by Friar Lawrence’s admission that Romeo’s ‘tears are womanish’ wherein the Friar attempts to prompt Romeo into the preservation of his honour through comparison to a stereotypically hysterical and weak woman.
Paris - Thy face is mine and thou hath slandered it.’
• Juliet’s rejection of Paris causes him to question his reputation considering it to be ‘slandered’ and therefore damaged.
• Honour is once again presented as problematic as Paris attempts to preserve his reputation by reminding Juliet of his authority over her – an approach which a contemporary audience is likely to condemn.
Lord Montague – ‘For I will raise her statue in pure gold’.
• Lord Montague’s intention to ‘raise her statue in pure gold’ appears to be an attempt to preserve the honour of Juliet, even in death.
• Alternatively, the use of ‘pure gold’ could indicate a preoccupation with seeming honourable through the blatant demonstration of wealth as a means to subsequently heighten his own reputation. This seeks to further highlight the problematic nature of honour in that the families understand that this conflict has come to an end yet still seem to place a focus on the preservation of reputation despite the tragic consequences of this feud.
