Romeo Character Study Flashcards
Give an acronym for Romeo’s Character
EBLCIF
Emotional Boisterous and boyish Led by the impulse of love Capable of immense beauty Impetuous Fatalistic
Highly emotional: point and quote
When we are first introduced to Romeo he strikes us as a melodramatic, lovesick young man. He describes the pain he feels to Benvolio in powerful but gushing imagery
“Shut up in a prison, kept without my food,/ Whipped and tormented”
Boisterous and Boyish: point and quote
Despite the soft hearted yearning we witness in the opening acts, Romeo also proves himself to be the typical male youth, possessing all the playful boorishness that is indicative of his demographic. In a playful exchange with Mercutio during Act 2 Scene 4, both young men engage in a discourse that is loaded with innuendo
“Thou wasn’t never with me for anything when thou wast/ not there for the goose”
Led by the impulse of love: point and quote
Romeo’s mood and sense of purpose is dominated by the presence of love in his life. When met first, he wallows helplessly; upon seeing Juliet he is mesmerised and dedicated to the pursuit of her. This impulsiveness is what eventually leads to his tragic demise.
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!/ It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night/ Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear”
Capable of immense beauty: point and quote
Despite the impulsive nature of his commitment to love, the emotional purity felt by Romeo leads him to expressions of great beauty. As Juliet appears on the balcony, one cannot deny the power of the imagery delivered by Romeo; its source can be only that of the noblest of hearts
“But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?/ It is the east, and Juliet is the sun”
Impetuous: point and quote
Romeo is characterised by his impetuous nature. Romeo acts without taking time to reflect on the consequences of his actions. He risks his life by climbing the Capulet’s wall, he arranges to marry Juliet with Friar Laurence, he reprimands the death of his friend, Mercutio, by slaying Tybalt. His nature driven by this passion, and it is this passion that bulls his power to reason
“Away to heaven, respective lenity,/ And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now”
Fatalistic: point and quote
Throughout the play, and upon each dramatic turn, Romeo speaks of a higher power that controls the trajectory of his fate. With this attitude, Romeo resigns himself to be powerless in the control of his destiny
“But He that hath the steerage of my course,/ Direct my sail!”
