Themes Flashcards
What are the 3 main themes in Romeo and Juliet?
Love, conflict and family
What are 3 different ways that Shakespeare allows us to explore love?
R + J first meeting - charged with love and desire for each other.
Mercutio + R friendship - Romeo avenges his best friends death.
Romeo + Juliet deaths - negative connotations on how love consumes and controls us.
Context surrounding love and marriage?
Parent’s chose their children’s partner based on wealth and status.
R + J choosing who they want to marry would be disrespectful, particularly as they both decided to marry their families sworn enemies.
How does Shakespeare present conflict?
Through the Montagues and the Capulets. It is an ‘ancient grudge’ that has become ingrained in the lives of all the citizens of Verona.
How does the character of Juliet represent conflict?
Her inner conflict when she finds out Romeo is a montague, and again when she finds out Romeo killed tybalt.
How are the families shown to be in the play?
- similar to each other.
- fighting against each other
- apolagetic and repenting
How are the families shown to be similar to each other?
’ both alike in dignity’
How are the families shown to be warring with each other?
Opening scene, both individuals are fighting to protect their families and their own honour.
How are the families shown to be apologetic?
When they discover both Romeo and Juliet have commited suicide they apologize for their behavior. ‘ O brother Montague, give me thy hand’
