Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

1. Juliet

   • Juliet is passionate and headstrong like Romeo
     • “ O Romeo,Romeo! wherefore out though Romeo”
       • She wishes he can give up his Montague name and if not she will give up here own family name
       • Friar Laurence
         • 'this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households’ rancour to pure love'.
           • shows Friar Laurence’s reason for agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet – he wants to join them together to link their families and turn their anger and aggression towards one another into love for each other.
     • “ If that thy bent of love be honourable”
       • They had only met a few hours before, but fell in love at first sight and want to get married
   • She is a young and innocent girl
     • “if that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage”
       • Although she had bad feelings at first, Juliet is the one who suggests marriage to Romeo (a few hours after they meet). She asks him if his intentions are serious, she says that he should be thinking about marriage if he loves her.
   • Benvolio

2. Mercutio

   • Mercutio is Romeos best friend
   • He like to have a laugh and is optimistic, loyal and a good friend
     • If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.'
       • This quote highlights the difference in personalities between Romeo and Mercutio. Romeo is a romantic and loves the idea of love; Mercutio does not take love seriously

3. Tybalt

   • Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and is extremely feisty
   • Tybalt enjoys the conflict between the Montagues and his family
     • Thou art a villain.'
       • The noun 'villain' was an incredibly insulting term in Elizabethan England. This insult builds tension and suspense as audiences wonder how Romeo will react to this aggression
       • When Tybalt approaches Romeo, he continually tries to annoy and encourage him to fight

4. Romeo

   • Romeo is a young man
     • Nurse
       • For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand'.
         • The Nurse plays an important role in Act 3. She talks Romeo out of killing himself when he is very upset. She reminds him to think about Juliet and to live for her.
       • She is caring and acted like a mother to Juliet
   • He is a passionate and headstrong teenager
     • 'But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
       • He uses the metaphor 'Juliet is the sun' to suggest that she brings light, happiness and love to his life
     • 'O, I am fortune’s fool!'
       • Romeo feels that the powers of fate and destiny are playing with him. He met his true love and is happy for a little while, but then fate causes him to kill Tybalt.
     • O brawling love! O loving hate
       • He feels that his love for Rosaline is 'brawling' because it feels like a personal battle for him – he cannot stop himself loving her
         • Nothing can be ill, if she be well
           • Even while exiled, Romeo is completely obsessed with his love for Juliet. He feels that everything in life will eventually be alright as long as Juliet is ok.
     • Did my heart love till now… For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night'.
       • As soon as he sees Juliet at the party, he stops feeling any love for Rosaline. He realises that what he felt for her was not real love, he feels that no one else can compare to Juliet.