Romeo Flashcards
Write the quotes for Romeo’s unrequited love (5)
O Brawling love! O loving hate!
The oxymoron of “brawling love” highlights the inevitable conflict and tension in the play, but also the violence that become increasingly more frequent as the play progresses. The contrast of “loving hate” suggests powerful, passionate feelings, but also suggests how quickly one emotion can turn into another, which also reflects appropriately on Romeo’s violent, impulsive attitude.
I have lost myself …. this is not romeo
Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs
Under love’s heavy burden do I sink
Write the quotes for Romeo’s fate (4)
Some consequences yet hanging in the starts some vile forfeit of untimely death
O I am fortune’s fool
Romeo repeatedly gives over his destiny to fate - here he realises that it is simply playing with him, and he is nothing but a fool to believe it would treat him kindly. Much like when he referenced “fire eyed fury”, the repetition of the “f” sound is violent and aggressive, foreshadowing the acts ahead, yet the sound also allows the words to flow easily, as if he has totally handed himself over to fate and it is turning him into the violent character. The stress of the sentence falls on “fool” - the audience see Romeo not as a lover, or a vengeful friend, but as a meaningless plaything for Fate. His youth and immaturity is also highlighted through his inconsistent patterns and behaviour throughout the play. The audience may well begin to question their own destinies - the definitive “I am” suggests that fate is the only thing that controls and individuals destiny.
Then I defy you stars
“He hath the steerage of my course/Direct my sail”
Perhaps this is Romeo taking control of his life, actively choosing to attend the party, or perhaps he has fallen victim to the inevitability of fate. The use of the pronoun “he” personifies fate. Romeo’s destiny is in the hands of a living, thinking being who makes his decisions for him. Shakespeare’s audience were more likely to believe in fate than modern audiences. The imagery of life being a boat journey is highly appropriate - like the sea it can be rough, dangerous and entirely unpredictable, and it is possible that Shakespeare uses this to subtle hint at the underlying conflict at the end of the play. “Steerage” and “direct” suggest Romeo is being maneuvered down a “course” - his path has already been determined by fate.
Write the quotes for Romeo’s facing conflict (4)
I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than canst devise
“Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now”
For the first time, Romeo sees hate as more powerful and appealing than love. Like most characters in the play, only violence can redeem his honour. The repetition of the “f” sound is violent and aggressive, foreshadowing the scene ahead. Much of Shakespeare’s audience would see this behaviour as the correct, ‘masculine’ way of behaving. The personification of “fury” being “fire-eyed” depicts an image of someone not being able to see clearly. Romeo is blinded by fire, something deadly and destructive, and his wish to avenge Mercutio’s death is all consuming. Yet again, Romeo has placed his fate in the hands of something else. The phrase “be my conduct” once again suggests he is not making how own decisions, and implies that he is inconsistent with his behaviour and control.
Villian I am none
Gentle Mercutio put thy rapier down
O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate.
Write the quotes for Romeo’s romantic love (6)
Did my heart love till now? Foreswear it sight I never saw true beauty till this night
It is the east and Juliet is the sun
Bright Angel
If I profane with my unworthiest hand, this holy shrine …
O she doth teach the torches to burn bright/ It seem as if she hangs upon the cheek of night/ As a jewel in an Ethiop’s ear
The fact that Romeo explains that Juliet has to “teach” the torches to “burn bright” suggests that she is the being with the most light, as if she is the sun. As the play progresses, a cloak of interwoven light and dark images is cast around the pair. The lovers are repeatedly associated with the dark, an association that points to the secret nature of their love because this is the time they are able to meet in safety. At the same time, the light that surrounds the lovers in each other’s eyes grows brighter to the very end, when Juliet’s beauty even illuminates the dark of the tomb. The association of both Romeo and Juliet with the stars also continually reminds the audience that their fate is “star-cross’d.”
With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls
Words to describe Romeo
Impulsive Immature Impractical Foolish Unrealistic
Poetic
Passionate
Infatuated
Sorrowful
Confused
Lonely
Moody
Intelligent
Quick-witted
