CHARACTERIZATION in ROMEO&JULIET
Opening Lines - fight scene (1.1.1-97)
● How is Benvolio's character presented in the opening fight? How do you know? Be
specific and use evidence from the text.
Benvolio's character is presented as a peacemaker who tries to defuse the conflict between the
Capulet and Montague servants. This is evident through his dialogue and actions.
Benvolio first appears on stage attempting to stop the fight between the servants of the Capulet
and Montague households. He says,
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords; you know not what you do" (Act 1, Scene 1).
Benvolio's words indicate his desire for peace and his willingness to intervene to prevent
violence.
He physically steps between the warring factions in an effort to separate them, saying,
"I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword,
Or manage it to part these men with me" (Act 1, Scene 1).
This demonstrates Benvolio's commitment to maintaining peace and his willingness to put
himself at risk to achieve it.
Benvolio's demeanor is calm and rational, in contrast to the aggression displayed by the other
characters. He always urges the fighters to stop and tries to reason with them.
● What does Tybalt do when he sees the servants fighting? What relationship does this
create between Benvolio and Tybalt?
When Tybalt sees the servants fighting, he immediately escalates the conflict. Tybalt enters the
scene and demands to know who started the fight, declaring,
"What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death".
Tybalt accuses Benvolio of being involved in the brawl and threatens him with violence. This
creates a relationship of animosity and antagonism between Benvolio and Tybalt. Benvolio, as a
peace-loving character who tries to defuse the situation, is contrasted with Tybalt. Tybalt's
hostility towards Benvolio reflects the conflict between the Capulet and Montague families.
This antagonistic relationship between Benvolio and Tybalt leads to tragic consequences.
● Use 1-2 adjectives each to describe Tybalt and Benvolio.
Tybalt: Aggressive, hot-headed
Benvolio: Peaceful, level-headed
● In what ways does Shakespeare use structure, rhythm, and rhyme to present the characters in
this opening scene?
1. Structure: The scene opens with a brawl between the servants of the Capulet and
Montague households, setting the stage for the ongoing feud between the two families,
telling the audience about the central conflict of the play. Shakespeare uses structured
dialogue exchanges between characters to reveal their personalities and motivations.
2. Rhythm: Shakespeare utilizes iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of five pairs of
unstressed and stressed syllables per line, throughout the scene, which creates a sense of
order and regularity in the chaos. The rhythm also reflects the characters' emotions and
intentions. E.g. Benvolio's lines are often fluid and measured, conveying his calm
demeanor, while Tybalt's speech is more abrupt and forceful, reflecting his aggressive
nature.
3. Rhyme: Shakespeare incorporates rhyme sparingly in the opening scene, primarily in the
form of couplets, to demonstrate the key moments and important themes. E.g. when
Benvolio attempts to intervene in the fight, he says,
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords; you know not what you do"
The rhymed couplet "fools" and "you do" underscores the urgency of his plea and
emphasizes the irrationality of the violence.
● What are some authorial choices used in this scene and what effect do they have on the
reader/viewer? How might the language itself help in performance?
1. Vivid Imagery: Shakespeare uses vivid imagery to depict the the brawl between the
servants. E.g. Phrases like "clubs, bills, and partisans" and "beat down their weapons"
picture the violent confrontation, This imagery helps to establish the tone of conflict and
the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.
2. Characterization through Dialogue: Shakespeare employs distinct dialogue style. E.g.
Benvolio's calm and reasoned attempts to stop the fight contrast sharply with Tybalt's
aggressive and confrontational demeanor. This also foreshadows their roles and conflicts
throughout the play.
3. Symbolism: The use of swords and other weapons as symbols of violence and aggression
underscores the central theme of conflict in the play. The clash of swords serves as a
metaphor for the broader feud.
4. Irony: Irony throughout the scene to highlight the absurdity of the feud between the
Capulets and Montagues. E.g. When the Prince admonishes the two families for their
ongoing conflict, he says,
"Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets"
The irony lies in the fact that the Prince's attempts to restore order are continually
undermined by the very families he seeks to pacify.
● The fight escalates. The prince steps in. How is foreshadowing used in this scene and for
what effect?
The prince warns the two families,
"If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace"
This is the foreshadowing of the dire consequences that will result from continued violence
between the Capulets and Montagues. This creates a sense of ominous tension in the opening
scene. It sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold throughout the rest of the play.
Furthermore, despite his efforts to maintain peace, the Prince's words foreshadow the tragic
outcome that is ultimately unavoidable.
● What metaphor does the Prince use to describe the two families’ anger?
He refers to their ongoing feud as "three civil brawls, bred of an airy word"
Here, the Prince compares the feud to a series of civil disturbances or uprisings, emphasizing the
disruptive and destructive nature of the conflict. The use of the metaphor suggests that the origins
of the feud are trivial or insignificant ("bred of an airy word"), yet it has escalated into a serious
and ongoing conflict that threatens the peace of the city. The metaphor shows the senselessness
of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues, highlighting how minor grievances and
misunderstandings have snowballed into deadly violence.
● If you look at the Prince’s diction in this speech, what seem to be his feelings towards the
two families? Support your answers with examples from the text.
He expresses his strong disapproval of their ongoing feud and the violence it has spawned. The
Prince's feelings towards the two families can be inferred from his choice of words and the tone
of his speech.
E.g. The Prince refers to the feud as "ancient grudge" for generations. The use of the word
"ancient" conveys a sense of long-standing animosity. Furthermore, the Prince admonishes the
two families for their disruptive behavior, stating,
"Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground"
The term "mistempered" suggests that the weapons used in the fight are not only physically
dangerous but also symbolic of the families' reckless and irrational behavior.
Lines with Lady Montague, Montague, and Benvolio (1.1.110-153)
● How does Shakespeare present Romeo to the audience, before we even meet him? How do
you know? Be specific and give evidence to support your argument.
Benvolio's Description: In Act 1, Scene 1, Benvolio describes Romeo to Lord Montague, saying,
"I have seen him melancholy,
And sad".
Benvolio's description suggests that Romeo has been in a state of melancholy and sadness. This
shows Romeo's inner turmoil and unhappiness.
Montague's Concern: Lord Montague expresses concern for Romeo's well-being, noting that he
has observed Romeo wandering in the early hours of the morning and shutting himself away from
the world. Montague says,
"Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs".
Montague's description suggests that Romeo has been spending time alone, feeling overwhelmed
by his emotions.
Romeo's Absence: Romeo’s absence from the scene tells that he is withdrawn and introspective,
preferring solitude over the company of others.
● What does this scene reveal about Romeo's parents and how they view their son? How do you
know? Use specific evidence.
Lord Montague's Concern: He observes Romeo's behavior and remarks to Benvolio,
"Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs".
Lord Montague has noticed Romeo's tendency to wander alone and appears to be troubled by his
son's melancholy demeanor.
Lady Montague's Inquiry: Lady Montague is worried about Romeo and asks her husband about
his whereabouts. She says,
"Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe"
She is concerned for Romeo's safety and does not want him to become involved in any potential
conflicts. Lady Montague views his son as vulnerable and in need of guidance and support.
Absence of Romeo: Parents’ concern for his well-being and their discussion of his behavior in
his absence indicate that they are actively engaged in his life and care deeply about his welfare.
● Why does Shakespeare present Romeo this way? How does it help to establish a main idea or
plot element?
To establish key themes and plot elements that drive the narrative forward.
1. Foreshadowing: Romeo's inner turmoil and emotional distress serve as a prelude to the
tumultuous events that will unfold.
2. Character Development: Romeo's journey from despondency to passionate love and
ultimately to tragic demise forms the backbone of the plot. Shakespeare lays the
groundwork for his transformation and the unfolding of the play's central themes of love,
fate, and mortality.
3. Contrast with Juliet: While Romeo is initially consumed by sadness and despair, Juliet
is portrayed as youthful, vibrant, and full of life. This juxtaposition of characters
emphasizes the transformative power of love.
4. Exploration of Youth and Identity: Romeo’s emotional journey reflects the struggles
and uncertainties that accompany the transition from adolescence to maturity.
Lines with Romeo and Benvolio (1.1.154-230)
● In pairs: read the dialogue between Romeo and Benvolio (starting from “Good morrow,
cousin” to the end of the scene.
● Why does Romeo use oxymorons in his speech to communicate his feelings?
Oxymorons convey the complexity and intensity of his emotions.
1. Expressing Contradictory Emotions: E.g. Romeo describes love as "heavy lightness"
and "bright smoke". These contradictory terms can be both uplifting and burdensome,
both brilliant and elusive.
2. Reflecting Inner Turmoil: Romeo describes himself as being "sick and pale with grief".
The juxtaposition shows Romeo's suffering for his unrequited love for Rosaline.
3. Highlighting Themes of Contradiction and Paradox: Romeo's use of oxymorons
reinforce the themes love and hate, light and darkness, life and death.
● How does this section of the scene help to develop main ideas in the play? How do you
know? Be specific and use examples from the text to support your argument.
1. Love: Romeo describes love as "feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health"
These contradictory terms convey the complex and multifaceted nature of romantic love,
highlighting the intensity of his feelings for Rosaline and foreshadowing his later
relationship with Juliet.
2. Fate: Romeo describes himself as being "bound more than is promis'd" and "bookish" yet
"witless". Romeo feels trapped by his circumstances and powerless to change his fate.
Despite his intelligence ("bookish"), he feels helpless and unable to break free from the
constraints of his family's feud and his unrequited love for Rosaline.
3. Human Condition: Romeo describes himself as being "shut up in prison" yet "free".
These terms convey the internal conflict and inner turmoil experienced by Romeo as he
grapples with his emotions and his sense of identity.
TASK 2: Characterization - how are characters presented?
In order to analyze how a character is presented, we have to look at a couple of things:
● Name origin or meaning: Juliet
● Where the character appears first:
○ Remember the 5 methods of characterization: (PARTS)
■ Physical appearance - how they're described
■ Actions - what the character does on their own
■ Reactions - how the character reacts with the world around them
■ Thoughts - the character's own and others' thoughts about them
■ Speech - what the character says as well as what's said about them.
As a small group, pick ONE character from the list above. Then, with your group:
● Create a WANTED poster for your character
○ Physical appearance
○ Patterns of behavior
○ What they've said
○ What they've done
○ An illustration of the character
*****NOTE: Each of the four qualities above, please give relevant evidence from the text to
back up what you're saying*****
● Then, you'll need to submit a document that details at least three aspects of PARTS that
are supported by evidence and provide:
e.g. Character: JULIET
Physical appearance: A stunningly beautiful and graceful young woman, whose appearance
captivates those who encounter her. She is a symbol of youthful beauty and innocence. She has
grace and elegance.
Patterns of behaviour: Juliet is impulsive, particularly in her relationship with Romeo. She
quickly falls in love with Romeo. She is passionate. She is a risk taker and courageous. She
asserts her autonomy and takes agency over her own destiny. For example, she actively
participates in Romeo's plan to marry in secret and devises a plan to fake her own death in order
to escape her arranged marriage to Paris. She remains loyal to Romeo. She is torn between her
loyalty to her parents and her love for Romeo, leading to her emotional distress.
○ Authorial choices with an example:
In Act 1 Scene 1, Juliet expresses her love for Romeo despite the obstacles posed by their
families' feud.
The authorial choices in context and how the usage of the authorial choice indicates meaning:
1. Asserting Independence: She doesn’t passively accept her family's wishes and doesn’t
marry Paris.
2. Highlighting the Power of Love: Her love for Romeo transcends the boundaries imposed
by their families' feud and drives her to take bold action.
3. Foreshadowing Tragedy: Her rebellion against her family's authority leads to the lovers'
untimely deaths.
○ How that meaning relates to the development of your particular character
1. Juliet takes control of her own destiny and follows her heart.
2. She demonstrates her strength and determination.
3. Her decision to marry Romeo in secret and her subsequent plan to fake her own death both
stem from her deep and passionate love for him.
[Link] defiance of her family and her secret marriage to Romeo set off a chain of events that lead
to the deaths of both lovers.