Prologue Quotes Flashcards
Encompassing nature of feud
‘civil blood makes civil hands unclean’
- all-encompassing nature of feud
- ‘civil blood’ demonstrates conflict between citizens, whilst ‘civil hands’ connotes guilt, corruption even with respectable people
- people act violently in the name of honour, still destructive
Romeo and juliet death
‘A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life:’
- destined to be together by fate
- euphemism of ‘take their life’ signifies how fate triumphs free will
- ‘life’ is singular suggesting they have merged to one, perhaps providing catharsis for audience
Death acts as catalyst for change
‘bury their parents’ strife’
- took the younger generation to die to fix older generation problems
- took such a drastic event to fix a futile conflict
- imagery of death brings sadness despite progression
Structure and meanings
Sonnet form - deep love despite the ill-fate talked about
Sonnet/love form is in conflict with its contents demonstrating all-encompassing nature of conflict
Overt use of violent imagery juxtaposed with adoption of sonnet form, shows that language of love and hate go hand in hand
Perhaps true love cannot exist without hate - love is difficult
Shakespeare informs audience of events to stress that the message of the play is more important than the actual entertainment received.
Alternatively, the poor would not stay if they didn’t like the play so had to convince them to stay
Dramatic irony created demonstrates sheer power of fate
