Romeo Flashcards
How does Romeo change from the start to the middle and to the end ?
START: Romeo represents the typical ‘courtly lover’ = sad , melancholy , self obsessed
MIDDLE: falls in love with Juliet = more mature , wild , passionate
END: blinded by love , kills himself for love - becomes impatient
What does Romeo always show in the play from start to finish ?
That love and hate are inextricably linked. For example , in Act 1 Scene 5 ‘love at first sight’ Romeo and Juliet declare their love but a couple of lines before Tybalt uses very violent language about Romeo.
“Scorn our solemnity” thinks Romeo is here to dishonour him and the Capulets.
“Tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew” (START OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUE: hyberbole/exaggeration/metaphor.
ANALYSIS: adding to water on grass = crying so much.
1st time the audience hear about Romeo and he’s portrayed as a very wistful (daydreaming) and solitary character.
THEME: courtly love
“O’ brawling love, O’ loving hate” (START OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUE: List of oxymoronic language.
ANALYSIS: 2 contradicting ideas = Romeo finds love confusing. Romeo with Rosaline = self pity but with Juliet he is wild and passionate.
THEME: courtly love
“My lips, two blushing pilgrims” (MIDDLE OF THE PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: metaphor/religious imagery.
ANALYSIS: Romeo and Juliet share the lines of the Sonnet (14 lines)= equality = challenges patriarchal society as Juliet is active and not passive (like Rosaline). Juliet extends Romeo’s metaphor which suggest they have a connection and acceptance for each other. Pilgrimage = place of worship , willing to travel far for each other. Ends with a kiss = sign of true love.
THEME: true love
“Juliet is the sun” (MIDDLE OF THE PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: metaphor
ANALYSIS: sun is the centre of existence and is the giver of light and warmth and light = purity.
Sun marks your day , you worship it and it’s extremely important. Light is a contrast to Romeo with Rosaline in Act 1 - darkness.
Their love is powerful - idolise.
THEME: true love
“O, I am fortune’s fool” (MIDDLE OF THE PLAY”
TECHNIQUES: alliteration/personification/oxymoron.
ANALYSIS: links with “fire-eyes fury” repetition of “f” = violence , foreshadows future. “Fool” = no longer see Romeo as lover or friend but a play thing to fate.
Audience question their own destinies. “I am” = fate is the only thing that controls an individuals identity. Shows youth and immaturity.
THEME: fate
“Love thee better than thou canst devise” (MIDDLE OF PLAY)
ANALYSIS: love and conflict inextricably linked. Tybalt and Mercutio don’t know what he’s on about. Tybalt and Romeo are practically related now = doesn’t want to fight Tybalt but fate controls this and makes them fight.
THEME: family love
“Then I defy you, stars” (END OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: foreshadow
ANALYSIS: links to prologue “star cross’d lovers” thinks he’s defying fate but he’s playing into fate’s hand “fortune’s fool”
Romeo killed Tybalt = impetuous (act without thinking)
Thinks fate is against him but it’s also his own decision to return to Verona = his death.
THEME: fate
“Why art thou yet so fair? Shall i believe that unsubstantial death is amorous…lean abhorrèd monster keeps thee here in the dark to be his paramour?” (END OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: personification/dramatic irony.
ANALYSIS: personified death - death has fallen in love with her so death is keeping her.
Dramatic irony - wondering how she can be so beautiful and look so alive. Audience know she’s not dead = builds tension , wake up at any moment.
THEME: true love , love
“Wounded…wounded” (MIDDLE OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: metaphor
ANALYSIS: alluding to Cupid - falling in love metaphorically.
Language of conflict while talking about life = love and hate inextricably linked.
THEME: conflict , love
“Her maid…more fair than she. Be not her maid, since she is envious , her vestal livery is nothing but sick and green.” (END OF PLAY)
TECHNIQUES: mythology
ANALYSIS: talking about the goddess of the moon and virginity. Diana’s jealous as Juliet is more pretty - she’s meant to be her maid.
Telling her not to be a virgin , wants to be intimate with her.
THEME: sexual love
