Choose one character introduced thus far in the play. Discuss your impressions of this character–-provide at least two specific details and list the Act, Scene and line numbers in a parenthetical citation. Example:
I’ve decided to do Mercutio. He comes across to me as X but is very Y. He’s kind of the Z in the crew but he . . . . He is also . . . .
In (III.1.47-50) Mercutio’s X is once again Y as Tybalt makes the mistake ofZ
April 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I decided to talk about Romeo. I think his preferences in love change at a fast rate, because towards the beginning of the book he was sulking over Rosaline, and how she didn’t love him back. (Act 1. Scene 1, pp. 21-25). Here is one of Romeo’s lines talking about how Rosaline does not love him back: “Why such is loves transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast…” he goes on to say “Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears…” (Shakespeare 23) Not very long after this, he meets a girl named Juliet and completely forgets about how much he loved Rosaline. (Act 1, Scene 5, p. 57) This is what Romeo says while he is talking to Juliet by her balcony when she asks how he got here and why he is here “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.” (Shakespeare 73)
April 8, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Sorry I forgot the line numbers:
I decided to talk about Romeo. I think his preferences in love change at a fast rate, because towards the beginning of the book he was sulking over Rosaline, and how she didn’t love him back. (Act 1. Scene 1, pp. 21-25, lines: 176-188, 192-202 and 226-232). Here is one of Romeo’s lines talking about how Rosaline does not love him back: “Why such is loves transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast…” he goes on to say “Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears…” (Shakespeare 23, lines: 192-193, and 197-199) Not very long after this, he meets a girl named Juliet and completely forgets about how much he loved Rosaline. (Act 1, Scene 5, p. 57-59, lines: 104-122) This is what Romeo says while he is talking to Juliet by her balcony when she asks how he got here and why he is here “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.” (Shakespeare 73, lines: 67-70)
April 8, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I decided to discuss the nurse. I think Juliet’s nurse cared for Juliet since she was young. In the book (Act1 scence 3 )” ‘Tis since the earthquake now eleven years;
And she was wean’d,–I never shall forget it, Of all the days of the year, upon that day. She cares about Juliet a lot and knows Juliet well. She can remember that (Act1 scence 3) ” I never should forget it: ‘Wilt thou not, Jule?’ quoth he; And, pretty fool, it stinted and said ‘Ay.” Also when Juliet is sad or depressed she cheers her up. In the book (Article 1 scence 3) “When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug!Shake quoth thedove-house: ’twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge. These examples show that although she is not a main character, she is very important to Juliet.
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April 8, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Sorry Mrs. G. I didn’t realize that we were going to need our books, but I’ll try to contribute anyway. Since Declan did Romeo, I’ll give my thoughts on Juliet. My first thoughts on Juliet were on how she is well mannered and such, but then it kind of strikes me that she would secretly go about loving some one she just met. It just kind of alters her character a bit. The thing that realy changed my oppinion on her character was when she sneaks questions to see who Romeo is and how sly her thinking turns out to be. Even when she’s dancing with Romeo she cleverly goes along with his speakings to see where it would lead to. Also I’m just confused on how anyone can fall in love when you’ve only met with a person once. That is just one side of her I don’t get.
April 8, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I’m going to talk about Benvolio. Benvolio strikes me as a man wishing for peace. In the beginning of the play, he makes a big effort to stop a fight from breaking out (Act 1, Scene 1, pg 13). He says, “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me” (Shakespeare 13). He also is the cousin and very good friend of Romeo. He constantly wants to help him and do what’s right for them. Such as when he wants Romeo to stop moaning and whining over a girl who doesn’t love him, and find him another man (Act 1 scene 1, pp 19-25). He wants what’s best for Romeo, that’s why he makes an oath to Romeo to find another girl for him, “I’ll pay that doctirine or else die in debt” (Shakespeare 25).
April 8, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I have decided to do Tybalt. Tybalt is very hot headed and rash. You see this at the very beginning of the story when Benvolio comes between the Capulet and the Montague serving men, yet when Tybalt sees this he accuses Benvolio of being a coward and so they too begin to fight (Act 1, Scene 1, p.13-15, lines 65-75). Another example is at the Capulets party when Tybalt discovers that there are Monagues in their midsts he imedaitly storms off to chuck them out’ however, his Capulet (Tybalts uncle) refrains him, and it is only because Tybalt respects his uncle that he does not cause a riot at the party( act 1, scene 3, p55-57, lines 61-103)
April 8, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I am going to discuss Lady Capulet. To me in the first few lines, she seemed like a very rich, lady like woman who didn’t like to do things manually (Act 1. scene 1. page 13. line 75.). She loves to talk about her daughter and brag about her. She is very pleased how Juliet has caught Paris’ eye, and expects her daughter to marry him. When Juliet sort of refuses Paris, Lady Capulet insists that she gets to know him and that many women are younger than her when they get married (Act 1. scene 3. pages 33-41. lines 5-110). Although later at the party, Lady Capulet was earlier encouraging her daughter to be involved in the party and dance with men, but once Juliet does that (though with Romeo) Lady Capulet calls her over to her side to stop (Act 1. scene 5. pages 57-59. lines 105-130). Lady Capulet is a very particular woman who likes everything to go her way.
April 8, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I have chosen to analyze the character of Juliet. Juliet is what you may call a typical, love-stricken teenager. She displays many of the behaviors and characteristics of a teenage girl. Although she is a passionate lover, she is more reserved, hesitant, and worried than Romeo. For example, when Romeo is expressing his love in (II.2.71-73), Juliet is focused on the problem of Romeo being a Montague and herself being a Capulet. Romeo insists that he will do whatever it takes for them to be together, even if it means changing his name. She then goes on to tell Romeo to leave because if he is caught, the guards will murder him. Romeo shows no care about that and continues telling her of his love. In (II.2.74), Juliet confesses her embarrassment of Romeo overhearing her daydreaming about him, which shows her shy, more reserved side. Then, in (II.2.75), she shows a display of insecurity. She says that if she comes across as too easy to get then she can reassure him that she has more passion in love than a more hard to get, mysterious girl. She is showing the extremely typical problem for teenage girls. Do you play hard to get? Or, do you come right out and tell him you like him? If you play too hard to get, he might not chase after you. But, if you are too easy, he may think you too quickly won. With her insecurities, worries, romantic feelings and forbidden love, Juliet is just like a typical teenage girl and her problems can be directly interpreted into modern teenage behavior.
April 8, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I will analyze the Nurse. The Nurse is a good natured person who would do anything for the people near to her. It seems like she cares about Juliet more than Juliet’s own parents. The Nurse is a lively character who is able to speak for herself. I personally don’t think that she cares that Romeo and Juliet are in, and even if Romeo is a Montigue she still thinks he’s good for Juliet. She is excited for Juliet, and wants only the best for her.
April 8, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I have decided to do Mercutio. Mercutio is a foolish, cruel, and funny character. He shows these characteristics when it is morning and he is with Benvolio. He says, “More than prince of cats. O, he’s the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as you sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and proportion.” In this he is making fun of Tybalt behind Tybalt’s back in a cruel way. He makes Benvolio laugh at his description (Act 2, Scene 4, pp 91, lines 22-24). Another time is when the nurse enters in this scene and Mercutio says, “No hare, sir, unless a hare, sir, in a Lenten pie, that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent. An old hare hoar, and an old hare hoar, is very good meat in Lent. But a hare that is a hoar, is too much for a score, when its hoars ere be spent.” In this he is making fun of how old the nurse is right in front of her face in a cruel way. He also made Romeo and Benvolio laugh at his song (Act 2, Scene 4, pp 99, lines 8-15).
April 8, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I’ll talk about Mercutio. At the page 3, it says that he is the Prince’s kinsman and Romeo’s friend. I think he is really naughty because almost in every part that he comes out, he use to say some funny jokes to make play more interesting. He likes to make fun of people. He made fun of almost everyone include nurse(Act 2, Scene 4, pg 91~99). Although he is the friend of Romeo, he also made fun of him, and complained about him (Act 2, Scene 1, pg 67~69)because he forgot Rosaline so easily. He was also trying to help Romeo when he depressed by Rosaline. He tried to bring him to dance party with Benvolio. ( Act 1, Scene 4, pg 43~49) I’m pretty sure that the play without Mercutio will be boring.
April 8, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Mrs. G, I didn’t realize we would needed our book tonight and so I didn’t bring mine home but I will still say my thoughts on Juliet. She comes across to me as a beautiful, kind, and a very intelligent person. . She also seems like she knows what she wants and knows how she plans on getting it. She is very much in love. Unlike many other people her age she also was worried about the Montagues and the Capulets fighting and how if her and Romeo married what would happen to everyone. She worries about him getting killed and also she worries about someone killing her if they are caught together. Although she worries about all this she still is very much In love and would probably do anything for Romeo. Romeo is more out there about how he feels and as some people say “he wears his heart on his sleeve” and so in a way it seems like he would do anything for Juliet, even that meant betraying his own family and running away . Although it is very obvious that is the case for Romeo, Juliet doesn’t really say that flat out. She does make it clear that she would be with Romeo because she was so in love with him. She seems concerned about what is happening and doesn’t want to rush things the night before they plan to wed. She is concerned about someone catching him and he doesn’t really seem to concerned about that. All he seems to care about is getting to stay and watch Juliet. Over all I think Juliet is just an average girl that is very much in love just trying to figure out how to get what she wants without making it seem like something else.
April 8, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I have chosen to analyze the Friar Lawrence. He is a kind-hearted old priest who is always trying to do what is best for the community. In the book he helps Romeo with his undying affection for Juliet, while thinking how if they were to marry that their families might stop quarreling with each other. He says “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancor into pure love.” (ACT2 SC3 LN97). In this section he states that he will assist in Romeo and Juliet’s marriage while helping the community by breaking down walls of hate between the house of Capulet and Montague. Yet in a previous section he is warning Romeo saying that he might be moving a little fast for himself and that just the other day he was moping over Rosaline. Now he wishes to marry a girl he just met. Although he is attempting to help Romeo the Friar is trying to protect him. He says ” Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, nut in their eyes.”"Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit of an old tear that is not washed off yet. If e’er thou wast thyslef, and these woes thine, thou and these woes were all for Rosaline.” (ACT2 SC3 LN70). He tells Romeo that he still has a tear stain on his cheek after crying for Rosaline. But he decides that if Romeo really loves her and she loves him that he cannot but help these two young also while thinking of stopping an age old feud. He kills two birds with one stone.
April 8, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Even though he has already been done I’ve decided to do Romeo. Thus far I think Romeo is confused on what love is. In the beginning he is so depressed and can’t think of anything else but this girl (act. 1, sc. 1, line 176). He is so depressed he doesn’t know how to handle it. He then reads his beloved’s name “Rosaline” and like goes into a trance (act. 1, sc. 2, line 75). When they tell him of a party his friends all want him to go and he’s so heart broken to do anything (act. 1, sc. 2, lines 95-100). Then suddenly he sees a young filly across the room and forgets all about Rosaline. He then just acts as if nothing were wrong and starts flirting with some stranger (act. 1, sc. 5, line 105). So basically he’s just a confused 19 year old boy who knows not what love is.
April 8, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I have chosen to analyze Mercutio. He is a very loud man who has a drinking problem. He can always make a joke that will make anyone laugh. He also is trying to help Romeo find a new girlfriend. Mercutio says to Romeo,”Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.”(Scene 4 Act 1 Line 13). Romeo refuses but Mercutio keeps trying to push Romeo to dance. Mercutio is also a complete but hilarious fool around Benvolio. Mercutio can also ramble on about nothing for a very long time. I’m not going to out the whole thing but here are the first three lines of one of Mercutio’s rants,”O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate-stone.”(Scene 4 Act 1 lines 57-99). Over all Mercutio is a ranting funny guy.
April 8, 2008 at 9:03 pm
i have decided to do Mercutio. Mercutio is a character who at first glance would seem hilarious but after getting to know him in the book he is very unfriendly to people around him. i think that his intentions are good but some times what he says is not the best thing to say at that moment, even though he might be trying to help it is actually making the matter worse. like when act one scene one lines 150 to 155 where he says both by myself and many other friends. but he, his own affections’ counselor, is to himself-i will not say how true, but to himself so secret and so close, so far from sounding and discovery, as is the bud bit with an envious worm ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air. or dedicate his beauty to the same.. could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, we would as willingly give cure as know.
April 8, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I have chosen to analyze the nurse of Juliet. the nurse is a very kind and comidic woman that nursed juliet when she was young. the nurse shows that she was camedic and loving in( ACT 1. sc.3 LN 18-53). the nurse is also very prideful because when she was talking with romeo about juliet she said ” her mother is the lady of the house, a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. I nursed her doughter that you talked withal. i tell you, he that can lay hold of her shall have the chinks.”(ACT 1.SC.5 LN.126-130).
April 8, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Mrs.G I didn’t know that we needed our books tonight so that is why I won’t have the the page numbers posted right now. I will explain what I think about Juliet because I understand her the best so far. I think that she is very young and that she wants to be in love and life happily ever after. I also think that she may have some trust issues especially towards Romeo. I think this because when she was talking with Romeo a few times she mentioned things like for him to just leave if he isn’t being real about his love for her. She appeared to also be very sure about her loving Romeo and that she wants to marry him. To me it seems like she will be a very strong willed young woman and know exactly what she wants as the story continues.
April 8, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I will analyze the Nurse. The Nurse is a good natured person who would do anything for the people near to her. It seems like she cares about Juliet more than Juliet’s own parents. The Nurse is a lively character who is able to speak for herself. I personally don’t think that she cares that Romeo and Juliet are in, and even if Romeo is a Montigue she still thinks he’s good for Juliet. She is excited for Juliet, and wants only the best for her. The nurse sees Romeo with a bunch of other men and starts talking to Romeo after the men leave. They get into a conversation a bout Juliet, and the nurse says, “Good heart, and i’faith I will tell her as much. Lord, Lord she will be a joyful women (Shakespeare 101).” This shows that she does think that Romeo is a good man.
April 8, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I have decided to do my analysis on Romeo. Romeo seems like a very emotional man. He is very quick to change his mind, for example (Act 1 Sc. 1 Lines. 173) he says “Out of her favor when I am in love.” Romeo is saying how he is so in love with this woman but she has sworn chaste so he is “out” of love. This is what he speaks of until finally he is convinced to go to the Capulet’s party and look for other women. He isn’t convinced he will ever love another. He is a true lover. When he gets to the party, he sees Juliet and immediately falls in love. He introduces himself to Juliet, and we know that his love has turned from loving and whining over Rosaline into a new love for Juliet. He says to her (Act 1 Sc. 5 Line. 114) “O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do” (touch) and he kisses her. I think Romeo has many woman qualities to him. I think he is very sensitive and touchy. His heart can be broken easily and I think whoever his love at the time may be, they would need to be careful with his emotions! He easily falls in and out of love. Every time he talks about love, he is basing his love on looks. First, he says he loves Rosaline and that she is so beautiful, and then he falls in love with Juliet by just looking at her across the room. He is a good example of love at first site!
April 8, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Benvolio seems to be a very kind and somewhat gentle man. Benvolio doesn’t want people fighting and he doesn’t want to fight himself, and he is quite blatant about it when he says, “Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do.” (1. 1. 65-66). Benvolio is also caring and tries to help Romeo out of his slump by asking him what’s wrong. Benvolio asks him,”What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?” (1. 1. 168). Benvolio continues to question Romeo and try and help him solve his problems. However, Benvolio does still have a fighting side that he tells Montague about when he describes the fight that happened in Act 1.
April 8, 2008 at 10:03 pm
tybalt is very agressive and doesnt like to take odders. At the party tybalt discovers that romeo is amung them at the party. Right as he discovers that romeo is there hes quick to draw his sward. With this it makes me believe that he has and anger prorblem and realy dislikes the the Montagues. (act.1 sc.5 65-85). After tybalt has drawn his sword and is passing Capulet. Capulet stops him, and tells him to just leave every one be and not to disturb the peace.(act.1 sc.5 90- 100). This also makes me think that his leval of hate for hat the Montagues is so high that he doesnt want to listen to his master and just go for it. i also think his better jugment comes in to leave evrey thing alone because the prince had said it was punishable by pain of death.
April 8, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Capulet is an easy going man who doesnt want much to do with the fued with the Montagues. He would much rather throw a party rather than quarrel with his foe. He even accepts party crashers. On page 55 when Tybalt informs him that Romeo Montague is at the party, and that he wants him thown out. Capulet tells Tybalt to cool it and leave him be. He is more than happy to welcome a well manored Montague into his home. On page 27, he says that men as old as him should not be holding up such fueds.
April 8, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I have decided to analyze Romeo. Romeo comes across to me as what I would say to be the popular kid. It seems to me that everyone likes him but there are those people here and there who do not like him. Like the popular boys in school sometimes get all of the girls that they want, like Romeo gets Juliet, and sometimes the girls do not want anything to do with them, like Romeo and Rosaline. He also plays the cool act around his buddies. On pages 96-99 Romeo talks with Benvolio and he sort of messes around with Benvolio when the nurse comes and talks to him. Once the nurse gets there and Romeo and him are talking, Romeo acts like he is really cool. But once Benvolio leaves, he starts acting like the polite, romantic Romeo that he acts like when he is around Juliet.
April 10, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Romeo comes off to be a typical teenager who thinks no person understands him, and his life is a misery. For example Romeo says “A word ill urged to one that is so ill. In saddness, cousin, I do love a women” (I.1.211-212).His love for this women is a misery. He complains as easily as he celebrates. He goes from happy to sad in an instant when he meets Juliet. ” Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged” (I.5.120). In this case he has forgotten how sad he is, and is happy enough to flirt and even kiss a women.
July 24, 2008 at 1:28 am
I’m not in any of your classes, but im still reading Romeo And Juliet.
Obviously for a 7th grader, first reading Shakespeare would be extremely difficult.
These notes have been somewhat helpful for my readings.
Thanks!