Theme- Gender roles Flashcards
How is male pride first introduced in the play?
In the form of the feud. Neither family will back down to create peace.
How does Shakespeare show that male conflict and violence pervade the play?
The fact that Shakespeare opens the play in Act 1 Scene 1 with members of each family getting into a fight. In essence, the men would rather fight than be perceived as cowards.
What does Act 1 Scene 1 show about masculinity and male pride in the play?
It is often associated with destructive behavior. The structural tactic of showing this right at the start shows how male conflict and violence pervade the play.
It also presents to the audience the caliber of the feud and the lengths that men will go to defend their pride.
What quotes would you use to show the destructive behavior of men and the feud shown in Act 1 Scene 1?
Abraham asks “Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?” This simple question leads to a fight. This is escalated by the “fiery Tybalt” who exclaims he “hates” the word peace, “Hell” and the “Montagues”.
How do Romeo’s emotions affect his character overall? (in a few words)
Romeo has no identity free of emotional attachments. An effeminate (like a woman/ unmanly) character.
Why do Romeo’s emotions stand out so much in the play?
Shakespeare feminizes Romeo. Which immediately juxtaposes with the hypermasculinity in other male characters.
How does Shakespeare feminise Romeo?
He is described as having “tears” and “adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs”. (About Rosaline)
“underneath the grove of sycamore” what are these actions linked to?
Not like a traditional Elizabethan male but like a Petrarchan lover.
What is a Petrarchan lover and how is Romeo made to seem like one?
A man who is suffering from unrequited love. Often melodramatic about their rejection and in a state of depression whereby they could not eat or sleep. Romeo- “away from light steals home”- he stayed up all night and only went home as the sun was rising.
Give a quote showing how Romeo is affected by the societal attitudes, towards masculinity, of the time.
“Hold thy desperate hand. Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art. Thy tears are womanish.”- Friar Laurence(- this is important because it shows how wide spread these beliefs are.)
Give a quote showing how Romeo believes his love for Juliet is a weakness.
“O sweet Julier,/ Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,/ And in my temper softened valor’s steel!” -Act 3 Scene 1
Give a quote showing how Romeo believes his love for Juliet is a weakness.
“O sweet Julier,/ Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,/ And in my temper softened valor’s steel!” -Act 3 Scene 1
When does Romeo’s Petrarchan lover’s attitudes change to “masculine” attitudes?
Act 3 Scene 1. When Mercutio is killed by Tybalt. He allows “rage to guide actions” after his “friend” is killed. Both murder and revenge are seen as masculine which has caused Romeo to refind his masculinity.
How is the audience first linked to Juliet?
Her father talks of arranging for her marriage to a suitable man. This type of marriage was often used by important families in the Elizabethan period.
How is Lord Capulet’s true authoritarian demeanor revealed?
When Juliet refuses to marry Paris saying “I will not marry yet” he calls her “Unworthy” and if she doesn’t do as she is told he “will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green sickness, carrion! Out, you baggage!”
