18 Questions
What does Romeo's phrase 'Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh!' suggest about his relationship with Juliet, and what character trait does it highlight?
It suggests that Romeo is deeply in love and longs to be with Juliet, and it highlights his romantic nature.
How does Romeo's quote 'Can I go forward when my heart is here? / Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out' illustrate his impulsive nature, and what poetic device is used to convey this?
The quote illustrates Romeo's impulsive nature by showing his sudden and extreme emotional reactions, and the poetic device used is metaphor.
What does the quote 'There lies more peril in thine eye /Than twenty of their swords' suggest about Romeo and Juliet's love, and what poetic device is used to convey this?
It suggests that Romeo and Juliet's love is a powerful and overwhelming force, and the poetic device used is hyperbole.
How does Mercutio's quote 'Alas, poor Romeo! He is already dead, stabbed with a white / wench’s black eye, shot through the ear with a love song...' suggest Romeo's imminent interaction with Tybalt, and what character trait does it highlight?
It suggests that Romeo's love for Juliet will cloud his judgment and lead to impulsive decisions, and it highlights Romeo's tendency to act on emotions.
What does Friar Lawrence's quote 'I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when you have found him that he was when you sought him' suggest about Romeo's character, and what trait does it highlight?
It suggests that Romeo is youthful and impulsive, and it highlights his immaturity.
How does Juliet's quote 'O serpent heart hid with a flowering face!' illustrate her perception of Romeo, and what poetic device is used to convey this?
It illustrates Juliet's perception of Romeo as deceitful and treacherous, and the poetic device used is metaphor.
What does Romeo's secrecy and closeness to his emotions, as described in the quote 'But to himself so secret and so close, / So far from sounding and discovery, / As is the bud bit with an envious worm' (1.1.142-144), suggest about his relationship with Juliet?
It suggests that Romeo's tendency to keep his emotions hidden and intimate may lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in his relationship with Juliet.
How does Romeo's romantic nature, as highlighted in the quote 'But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?' (1.2.6), influence his impulsive decisions in the play?
Romeo's romantic nature makes him prone to impulsive decisions, driven by his emotions and desires, rather than reason and careful consideration.
In the quote 'Thy Juliet is alive, / For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead– / There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee, / But thou slew’st Tybalt–there art thou happy.', what character trait of Romeo does this quote highlight, and what does it suggest about Romeo's readiness for a serious romantic relationship?
This quote highlights Romeo's romantic nature and emotional intensity. It suggests that Romeo is ready for a serious romantic relationship because he is willing to risk his life for Juliet and is happy to have found her, showing his passion and dedication to their love.
What does Romeo's statement 'That dreamers often lie' (1.4.53) suggest about his emotional intensity and its impact on his relationship with Juliet?
It suggests that Romeo's emotional intensity can lead to a blurring of reality and fantasy, which may affect his perception of his relationship with Juliet and lead to conflicts.
In the quote 'He was not born to shame./ Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit./ For ‘tis a throne where honor may be crowned', what does the dominant poetic device suggest about Rome?
The dominant poetic device, metaphor, suggests that Rome is a place of honor and dignity, where shame cannot thrive.
What does the quote 'Romeo's a dishclout to him' suggest about Romeo, and what character trait does it highlight?
The quote suggests that Romeo is perceived as insignificant and unimportant by others. It highlights Romeo's impulsiveness and tendency to be underestimated by others.
How does the characterization of Romeo as 'a virtuous and well-governed youth' (1.5.64-66) impact his loyalty to Juliet and his friends?
It suggests that Romeo's virtuous nature makes him a loyal and committed partner to Juliet, but his impulsiveness may lead to conflicts with his friends and family.
In the quote 'I pay thy poverty and not thy will', what does it suggest about Romeo, and what character trait does it highlight?
The quote suggests that Romeo is willing to make sacrifices for his loved ones, and that he values their well-being over his own. It highlights Romeo's loyalty and selflessness.
What does Romeo's use of paradox in the quote 'See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, / That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!' (5.3.292-293) suggest about his emotional state and its impact on his relationship with Juliet?
It suggests that Romeo's emotional state is complex and conflicted, with a mix of love and hate, which can lead to intense emotional turmoil and ultimately affect his relationship with Juliet.
How does Romeo's characterization as 'Humours, madmen, passion, lover!' (1.5.59) influence his relationship with Juliet and the overall tragic outcome of the play?
It suggests that Romeo's passionate and intense nature makes him prone to dramatic and emotional swings, which can lead to conflicts and ultimately contribute to the tragic outcome of the play.
In the quote 'O, what more favor can I do to thee, / Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain / To sunder his that was thine enemy?', what does it suggest about Romeo, and what character trait does it highlight?
The quote suggests that Romeo is willing to take extreme measures to protect Juliet and avenge her family. It highlights Romeo's emotional intensity and loyalty to Juliet.
In the quote 'Madame, I am here. What is your will?', what character trait of Juliet does this quote highlight, and what does it suggest about her relationship with Romeo?
The quote highlights Juliet's obedience and willingness to please others. It suggests that Juliet is initially submissive in her relationship with Romeo, but is also willing to take steps to assert her own desires and needs.
Study Notes
Romeo's Characterization
- Romeo is described as "Fiend angelical!/ Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb" (3.2.76-77), highlighting his contradictory nature, with both gentle and violent qualities.
- Romeo is not born to shame, and shame is ashamed to sit on his brow (3.2.92-94), suggesting he is honorable and noble.
Poetic Devices and Rome
- The dominant poetic device in "O serpent heart hid with a flowering face!" (3.2.74) is metaphor, suggesting that Rome is deceitful and hides its true nature behind a beautiful façade.
- The metaphor in "Fiend angelical!/ Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb" (3.2.76-77) also suggests that Rome is a complex and contradictory city.
Romeo's Readiness for a Serious Romantic Relationship
- Romeo's response to Juliet's supposed death, "Thy Juliet is alive... / There art thou happy" (3.3.135-140), highlights his romantic and optimistic nature, but also his immaturity and lack of seriousness.
- This quote suggests that Romeo may not be fully prepared for a serious romantic relationship, as he is overly focused on his emotions and neglects the reality of the situation.
Juliet's Characterization
- Juliet is shown to be obedient and respectful when she responds to her mother, "Madame, I am here. What is your will?" (1.3.7), highlighting her dutiful nature.
- Juliet's conversation with the Nurse, "I'll look to like if looking liking move. / Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh! / Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied" (2.1.7-9), shows her playful and romantic side.
Romeo and Juliet's Love
- The metaphor in "There lies more peril in thine eye / Than twenty of their swords" (2.2.71-72) suggests that Romeo and Juliet's love is powerful and dangerous, and that their eyes are a source of both love and danger.
- The poetic device in this quote also highlights the intense and passionate nature of their love.
Other Characterizations
- The Apothecary is shown to be poor and mercenary, "I pay thy poverty and not thy will" (5.1.78), highlighting his motivations and values.
- Friar Lawrence is shown to be wise and sarcastic, "I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when you have found him that he was when you sought him" (2.4.103-104), highlighting his understanding of Romeo's nature.
The Feud
- The paradox in "See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, / That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!" (5.3.292-293) highlights the destructive nature of the feud and the way it ultimately leads to the downfall of the lovers.
- The use of this structure also highlights the cyclical and self-destructive nature of the feud.
Analyze quotes from Romeo and Juliet to identify speakers, character traits, and poetic devices. Explore Shakespeare's use of language in this iconic play.
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