Women in Shakespeare's Time and Themes in Romeo and Juliet

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on the themes, characters, and key elements of Romeo and Juliet.

What was the primary reason wealthy families like Juliet's married off daughters?

For alliances rather than love.

At what age did girls typically marry during Shakespeare's time?

Around 13 years old.

What was the role of women in marriages during the Elizabethan era?

Women were considered the property of men with very few rights.

What was a marriage considered between the groom and the bride's father?

A business deal.

Define 'Metaphor'.

Describing something by comparing it to something else that is not literally true.

Define 'Simile'.

A comparison of two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

What is 'Imagery' in literature?

The use of figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create a vivid picture.

What is 'Personification'?

Giving human attributes or feelings to an idea or thing.

Define 'Oxymoron'.

A figure of speech where apparently contradictory terms appear together.

Who is Queen Mab in relation to the play?

A mythical creature associated with dreams and known as 'the midwife of fairies'.

What does astrology suggest about people's lives?

That they are influenced by the positions of the stars.

How did Shakespeare's view on fate differ from common beliefs of the time?

He believed in predestination, but also that people made choices affecting their fate.

What fate do the characters in R+J ultimately face?

They cannot escape their fate, which is written in the stars.

What does the quote 'A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life' signify?

It suggests that their love is doomed by fate.

What happens in Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet?

Two young lovers from warring families meet at a ball.

In Act 2, what important decision do Romeo and Juliet make?

They decide to marry secretly.

What leads to Mercutio's death in Act 3?

Tybalt, provoked by Mercutio, kills him during a fight.

What plan does Juliet devise in Act 4?

She takes a potion to appear dead so she can escape her marriage to Paris.

What tragic event occurs in Act 5?

Romeo and Juliet both die, leading to the reconciliation of their families.

What is a major theme of love in Romeo and Juliet?

It contrasts passionate love with the order of courtly love and often leads to violence.

How is fate represented in Romeo and Juliet?

The characters cannot escape their predetermined destinies.

What role does violence play in the play?

It serves as a driving force, framing the beginning and end of the story.

What does the motif of death signify in the play?

A common theme that reflects societal attitudes towards death.

What is constant in the language used in Romeo and Juliet?

Play on words, including puns, rhymes, and double-entendres.

Who is Mercutio?

Romeo's friend who is neither a Montague nor a Capulet.

What significant trait does Romeo display throughout the play?

His rashness or tendency to act impulsively.

What does 'bawdy humour' refer to?

Rude or sexualised jokes using double entendres.

Define 'Soliloquy'.

A speech where a character speaks to himself or herself.

What is 'iambic pentameter'?

A rhythm structure in poetry combining unstressed and stressed syllables.

What is 'Dramatic Irony'?

When the audience knows more than the characters, creating suspense or humour.

What does a 'Prologue' do in literature?

Provides information about events that happened before the main story begins.

What defines a Sonnet?

A poem with 14 lines, typically about love or death, following a specific rhyme scheme.

Where did the Sonnet originate?

In Italy during the 13th century.

How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

154 sonnets.

What religious imagery is referenced during the meeting of Romeo and Juliet?

Imagery related to saints and pilgrimages in a sonnet format.

What does Romeo compare Juliet to in his first speech?

To a holy shrine and a gentle pilgram.

What character does Friar Lawrence serve in the play?

He is a friend to both Romeo and Juliet's families and marries them.

Who is Prince Escalus?

The leader of Verona trying to maintain peace between the feuding families.

What is the significance of light and dark imagery in the play?

It symbolizes the passion and challenges of Romeo and Juliet's love.

What does thumb-biting symbolize in the play?

A gesture of mockery and disrespect, illustrating ongoing conflict.

What does the phrase 'These violent delights have violent ends' suggest?

The idea that intense passions can lead to destructive consequences.