Romeo And Juliet - Benvolio Quotes Flashcards
To be consorted with the humorous night
Imagery of day and night: Benvolio takes a more realistic and nature-like approach to Romeo’s disappearance, although Mercutio tries to lure him out with ‘Rosalines bright eyes’, Benvolio would rather let Romeo be one with the night to reflect
Part, Fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do
Benvolio’s name looks like the word benevolent. It suggests that he would be the peacemaker throughout the play. He is juxtaposed against Tybalt who instigates the fight and questions him on why is stopping them fighting. He is a character foil against Tybalt
I do keep the peace
Benvolio is an accurate embodiment of peace more than Tybalt.
Can be viewed as courageous because he wants to stop the brawl.
However a historical view could be that he is a coward who does not take the opportunity to show his masculinity through fighting.
My noble uncle
Highlights the strict hierarchy of the period.
A formal relationship is established here, there is no affection.
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous and rough in proof
Love is personified as a character depicted through the pronoun ‘his’.
Love can be gentle but extremely awful at the same time.
No, coz, I rather weep
Benvolio is supportive in Romeo’s times of distress.
Shows disconnection between Romeo and his family, as the audience would likely expect Romeo to speak to his parents.
He would much rather weep because of Romeo’s situation then laugh at him - proves that he is a loyal person to him.
Come, come, thou art as hot ajack (3.1)
The simile established here portrays Benvolio in a negative light which is ironic as he is deemed the peace maker of the play. The fact that by the end of this scene, Benvolio is one of the few people alive as opposed to the hot headed Mercutio, vengeful Romeo and viscous Tybalt cannot be overlooked.
Public haunt of men…withdraw into some private place (3.1)
Benvolio urges with them to have their feud in a private place rather than a place where citizens of Verona can be witnesses of their fight.
This alludes to the idea that Benvolio attempts to hinder fights rather than encouraging them - Shakespeare criticises male bravado.
I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot
And if we meet we shall not ‘scape a brawl… mad blood stirring
(3.1)
This scene is a pivotal point in the play where the play turns from a comedy to a tragedy. The audience who already know about the character’s fate from the prologue are reminded of the tragic nature of the play. It foreshadows the events of the play. Pathetic fallacy is also used, people tend to fight when they are hot headed. There may be some irrational decisions made
