Read the following extract from the start of Act 3 Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet and thenanswer the question that follows.At this point in the play Romeo contemplates life without Juliet.ROMEO’Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is hereWhere Juliet lives, and every cat and dogAnd little mouse, every unworthy thing,Live here in heaven and may look on her,But Romeo may not. More validity,More honorable state, more courtship livesIn carrion flies than Romeo. They may seizeOn the white wonder of dear Juliet’s handAnd steal immortal blessing from her lips,Who even in pure and vestal modestyStill blush, as thinking their own kisses sin;But Romeo may not; he is banishèd.Flies may do this, but I from this must fly.They are free men, but I am banishèd.And sayest thou yet that exile is not death?Hadst thou no poison mixed, no sharp-groundknife,No sudden mean of death, though ne’er so mean,But “banishèd” to kill me? “Banishèd”?O friar, the damnèd use that word in hell.Howling attends it. How hast thou the heart,Being a divine, a ghostly confessor,A sin absolver, and my friend professed,To mangle me with that word “banishèd”?Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents Romeo in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents Romeo in the play as a whole.
Question
Read the following extract from the start of Act 3 Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet and thenanswer the question that follows.At this point in the play Romeo contemplates life without Juliet.ROMEO’Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is hereWhere Juliet lives, and every cat and dogAnd little mouse, every unworthy thing,Live here in heaven and may look on her,But Romeo may not. More validity,More honorable state, more courtship livesIn carrion flies than Romeo. They may seizeOn the white wonder of dear Juliet’s handAnd steal immortal blessing from her lips,Who even in pure and vestal modestyStill blush, as thinking their own kisses sin;But Romeo may not; he is banishèd.Flies may do this, but I from this must fly.They are free men, but I am banishèd.And sayest thou yet that exile is not death?Hadst thou no poison mixed, no sharp-groundknife,No sudden mean of death, though ne’er so mean,But “banishèd” to kill me? “Banishèd”?O friar, the damnèd use that word in hell.Howling attends it. How hast thou the heart,Being a divine, a ghostly confessor,A sin absolver, and my friend professed,To mangle me with that word “banishèd”?Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents Romeo in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents Romeo in the play as a whole.
Solution
In this extract, Shakespeare presents Romeo as a deeply passionate and emotional character, tormented by his banishment from Verona and, consequently, from his beloved Juliet. His language is highly dramatic and filled with hyperbole, reflecting his intense feelings of despair and anguish. He equates his banishment to torture and death, showing his inability to imagine a life without Juliet. He also compares himself unfavorably to the lowest of creatures - cats, dogs, mice, and flies - who are free to stay in Verona and see Juliet, while he, a human being, is not. This shows his sense of injustice and his feeling of being trapped by his circumstances.
Throughout the play, Romeo is consistently portrayed as a character ruled by his emotions. From the start, he is shown as a hopeless romantic, infatuated with Rosaline and then quickly falling deeply in love with Juliet. His actions are often impulsive and reckless, driven by his feelings rather than reason. His decision to secretly marry Juliet, kill Tybalt in a fit of rage, and ultimately take his own life when he believes Juliet is dead, all demonstrate his passionate nature and lack of foresight. His intense emotions also make him prone to mood swings, from the heights of ecstasy when with Juliet, to the depths of despair when faced with obstacles.
However, Romeo is also shown to be a loyal friend and a man of honor. He respects the Friar and considers him a friend and confidant. He is also willing to risk his life for his friends, as seen in his fight with Tybalt. Despite his flaws, Romeo's sincerity and depth of feeling make him a sympathetic character, and his tragic end underscores the destructive power of unchecked emotions and the tragic consequences of feuding and hatred.
Similar Questions
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Read the following extract from the start of Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet and thenanswer the question that follows.At this point in the play the Romeo declares his love to Juliet.ROMEOO, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?JULIETWhat satisfaction canst thou have tonight?ROMEOTh’ exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.JULIETI gave thee mine before thou didst request it,And yet I would it were to give again.ROMEOWouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?JULIETBut to be frank and give it thee again.And yet I wish but for the thing I have.My bounty is as boundless as the sea,My love as deep. The more I give to thee,The more I have, for both are infinite.Nurse calls from within.I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu.—Anon, good nurse.—Sweet Montague, be true.Stay but a little; I will come again. She exits.ROMEOO blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard,Being in night, all this is but a dream,Too flattering sweet to be substantial.Starting with this extract, explain how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Romeoand Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Romeo and Juliet in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Romeo and Juliet in the play as awhole.
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