ROMEO AND JULIET (GCSE-REVISION NOTES)
ROMEO MONTAGUE
Romeo Montague is the male protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy,
"Romeo and Juliet." He is a young, passionate, and impulsive individual who
becomes deeply entangled in a forbidden love affair with Juliet Capulet, a
member of the rival Capulet family. Romeo's character undergoes significant
development throughout the play, showcasing themes of love, passion,
impulsivity, fate, and the consequences of feuding.
Character Traits:
Romantic: Romeo is known for his passionate and romantic nature.
He falls in love quickly and deeply, becoming infatuated with Juliet at
first sight.
Impulsive: Romeo tends to act impulsively, often making decisions
based on his emotions without fully considering the consequences.
Emotional: He experiences intense emotional highs and lows, ranging
from love and joy to grief and despair.
Loyal: Romeo is fiercely loyal to his friends and family, especially to
his cousin Mercutio.
Youthful: As a young man, Romeo embodies the impulsiveness and
idealism associated with youth.
Themes Associated with Romeo:
Love: The central theme of the play revolves around love, particularly
the passionate love between Romeo and Juliet, which defies their
families' feud.
Fate and Destiny: The idea of fate plays a significant role in the
story, with Romeo and Juliet's lives seemingly predetermined and
entangled in tragic events.
Impulsivity and Consequences: Romeo's impulsive actions often
lead to tragic consequences, demonstrating the dangers of acting
without thoughtful consideration.
Youth and Immaturity: The play explores the impetuousness and
naivety of youth, as Romeo and Juliet's love is seen as impulsive and
immature by their families.
Conflict and Hatred: Romeo's identity as a Montague represents the
longstanding feud between the Montagues and Capulets, which creates
an atmosphere of tension and hatred throughout the play.
, Famous Quotes by Romeo:
"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east,
and Juliet is the sun."
Act 2, Scene 2
"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"
Act 2, Scene 2
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet."
Act 2, Scene 2
"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Act 5, Scene 3
"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true
beauty till this night."
Act 1, Scene 5
"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs."
Act 1, Scene 1
"Then I defy you, stars!"
JULIET CAPULET
Juliet Capulet is the female protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy,
"Romeo and Juliet." She is a young and intelligent woman who defies her
family's wishes and falls deeply in love with Romeo Montague. Juliet's
character is portrayed with themes of love, independence, maturity, and the
struggle between family loyalty and personal desires.
Character Traits:
Intelligent: Juliet is depicted as a smart and thoughtful young woman,
capable of expressing her emotions and desires eloquently.
Passionate: Like Romeo, Juliet is passionate and deeply committed to
her emotions, especially her love for him.
