Romeo & Juliet revision

• what does the quote "two households both alike in dignity" from the prologue suggest

  through this line Shakespeare highlights both of the families social standings as a parity

  this line also foreshadows conflict through the use of "dignity" as this can refer to social standing, honour or pride. Shakespeare enlightens the audience both of these families care deeply for their "dignity" so much so they are willing to engage in violence and rivalry.

  the families pride for their social standings inevitably leads to destructive consequences such as the death of Romeo & Juliet
• what does the quote "I hate the word as I hate hell, all montages and thee; have at thee coward!" suggest

  Shakespeare uses the rule of 3 to emphasise Tybalt's passionate and intense hatred of the montages

  this also highlights to the audience the extent of antagonism between the two families.

  Tybalt's incandescent nature wishing to attack the montages at any given opportunity juxtaposes with benvolio "I do but keep the peace" emphasising Tybalt's strong-willed reaction
• what do the quotes "women are weaker vessels"/"I will push Montague men and thrust his maids to the wall" suggest

  this illustrates violence, conflict and female subservience

  "weaker vessels" is a biblical allusion referring to women in the bible

  the adjective "weaker" highlights how women were seen as the weaker, inferior sex.

  "vessel" as women were seen to produce children - it was their duty/god-given purpose

  the quote is a sexual innuendo with the forceful verb "thrust" emphasising the violence within the culture of men, even regarding intimate acts such as sex
• what does the quote "doth with their death bury their parents strife' suggest


  "bury" & "death" together emphasises the importance of the lovers deaths, how it was the only thing able to end the rivalry between the capulets and montagues.

  their deaths are the tragic catalyst to resolve the families hatred of the feud, this reflects the destructive force of hate leading to the deaths of the lovers and allowing the possibility of peace

  this line encapsulates the overall tragedy Shakespeare created where love suppose to unite, becomes entangled with hate leading to death
• what does the quote "from ancient grudge break to new mutiny" suggest

  the adjective "ancient" implies how this feud is old, sacred & almost untouched; as though it's impenetrable and unbreakable

  this is juxtaposed by the "new mutiny" meaning there will be new violence to foreshadow future tragic events onto the "star-crossed lovers"

  the ancient grudge also refers to the patriarchal society, both lord capulet and lord montague control their children's fates(especially when it comes to marriage)
• Romeo A1S1: "o brawling love, o loving hate" analysis

  • oxymorons that reflect romeos inner conflict, confusion & emotional intensity
  • "brawling" -> violence, conflict, chaos
  • "love" -> peace, harmony, affection
  • paradox of passionate love -> exhilarating & destructive/duality of love & hate
  • foreshadowing setting tone of tragic love story to come
  • reflects hatred between the families existing alongside pure love of Romeo & Juliet
• what was Romeo like before meeting Juliet?

  • melancholy -> oxymorons/confused contradictions
  • his love for Rosaline seems theatrical & self-indulgent -> inlove with the idea of Rosaline
  • passive -> overwhelmed in sorrow
  • unrequited -> idealised love -> rooted in petrarchan tradition (romantic suffering of unattainable woman)
• what was Romeo like after meeting Juliet?

  • playful/witty & spiritual -> full of religious imagery -> compares Juliet to 'a holy shrine' showing reverence & deep admiration
  • less about his feelings, more about connection & interaction
  • speaks directly to Juliet showing genuine presence & passion not just poetic lamentation
• friar A2S6 "these violent delights have violent ends" analysis:

  • oxymoron "delights = joy & pleasure whereas "violent" = intensity, danger & destruction
  • their love is a delight born in secrecy, rebellion & extremes; too intense/fast & against societal expectations
  • blunt prophecy -> foreshadows chain of events (Mercutio & Tybalts death, double suicide) stem from secret union
• Romeo A2S2 "with loves light wings did I o'erperch these walls" analysis:

  • personification -> emotion of love made a living thing = repeated motif of birds & angels
  • mythical allusion -> comparing love to a winged force (cupid) = divine & unstoppable
  • Romeo is decisive & courageous unlike A1S1
  • love gave him the power to climb over the high orchard walls -> wasn't deterred by physical or social barriers
• explore how Shakespeare presents aggressive male behaviour in Romeo & Juliet

  • feud & violence as a male code of honour
  • characterisation of Tybalt
  • mercutio -> aggression through wit & pride
  • Romeo torn between love & violence
  • lord capulet -> patriarchal authority as aggression
  • overall exposes male aggression to be driven by pride, honour, societal expectation. it is impulsive & self-destructive
• what are 3 words to describe tybalt?

  • volatile (someone who could explode at any moment)
  • tempestuous (someone who is unpredictable & has many conflicting emotions
  • righteous (someone who believes what they are doing is morally justifiable)
• what are 3 words to describe Romeo?

  • melancholic
  • quixotic (extremely idealistic; unrealistic & impractical)
  • ardent (enthusiastic & passionate)
• what are 3 words to describe Juliet ?

  • idealistic (believes in something wholeheartedly)
  • ingenuous (innocent, naive & unworldly)
  • resolute (someone who has made up their mind - cannot be changed)
• what are 3 words to describe Benvolio?

  • appeasing (someone who tries to pacify others)
  • sincere
  • stalwart (loyal & reliable)
• what are 3 words to describe Mercutio?

  • anarchic (unruly & chaotic)
  • impulsive
  • precocious (someone who 'shows off' their intelligence arrogantly
• Juliet A2S2: ''the god of my idolatry" analysis

  • reference to god implies she perpetuates love as a religious experience whereas the noun "idolatry" illuminates dangers of such a love
  • religious ideals ->wants to marry Romeo
  • commits sacrilegious act by committing suicide (a sin in bible- elizabethan audience were very religious = been very shocked by this)
• Romeo A5S1 "I defy you stars" analysis

  • bold rejection of fate
  • noun "stars" symbolises destiny or cosmic force which were believed to control human life in elizabethan times
  • Romeo is challenging fate
  • turning point Romeo choses action over submission to fate