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Literary analysis of romeo and juliet
Literary analysis of romeo and juliet
Romeo's character analysis in Romeo and Juliet
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Throughout Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet” we learn of the string bond Romeo has with his two friends, Benvolio and Mercutio. However, Benvolio proves himself time and time again to be there better of friends to Romeo. Benvolio is honest, loyal, and cares deeply for Romeo, all of which are excellent characteristics which make a great friend.
Early on Benvolio establishes himself as an honest character who will always give a trustworthy account of which really happened. When asked about the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, rather than spinning the story to make Romeo look completely innocent, he told Prince Escalus what really happened. The Prince said “Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?” (Shakespeare III.i.149). This is significant as it shows that even though Benvolio is a Montague he will go to him to
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tell the story when there is a possibility of bias. If Benvolio was not incredibly trustworthy the Prince would have ask him for his account of what happened. In addition he also gave an accurate story of what went down during the fight to Lord Montague. Most importantly, when consoling his friend over his broken heart he explained to Romeo that his crush, Rosaline was not as special as Romeo believed she was. “Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves; With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither, and with unattainted eye Compare her face with some that I shall show. And I will make thee think thy swan a crow” (Shakespeare I.ii.85-89). By saying this Benvolio is telling Romeo that the girl is loves is not as pretty as Romeo thinks. Romeo refuses to believe so, but Benvolio having the ability to tell Romeo something even when he might not like it is a great characteristic to have in friend. Benvolio also showed that he is Romeo’s back at all time. When Benvolio was asked of what happened that led to the deaths of both Tybalt and Mercutio he was truthful in his story, but he stretched the truth to make Romeo seem less at fault than he actually was. “... whom Romeo’s hand did slay. Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink How nice the quarrell was…” (Shakespeare III.150-152). This quote shows Benvolio’s attempted to make it seem Romeo was less to blame than he actually was. Benvolio could have very easily not helped Romeo’s case because either way no punishment would lead back to him. Benvolio did this due to his loyalty and commitment to his friend, and for no other reason. On the other hand, Mercutio seems to be the character that when it comes down to it saves himself before thinking of everyone else. Lastly Benvolio truly cares for Romeo and his well being.
We learned at the beginning of the play that Romeo was extremely upset of his recent denial by Rosaline. Romeo’s father, Lord Montague was concerned about his son and sent Benvolio out to find Romeo. Benvolio was happy to due so and went on to search for his sulking cousin. At first Romeo refused to tell Benvolio about what troubled him. After some convincing by Benvolio, he learned about Romeo’s troubles with Roseline and tried to help. Romeo tried to tell Benvolio that he would never understand how he felt, but this was untrue. Benvolio’s response to Romeo was “No, coz, I rather weep” (Shakespeare I.i.178). Benvolio felt the pain Romeo was feeling After Benvolio finished consoling Romeo he offered a plan to help Romeo get over Rosaline saying “At this same ancient feast of Capulet’s...” (Shakespeare I.ii.84). Benvolio is hoping that by bringing him to Lord Capulet’s party he can show Romeo all the other girls in Verona and convince Romeo that losing out on Rosaline might not be so bad after all. Benvolio always tries to steer Romeo down the right path and offers up ideas that put Romeo’s needs
first. Time and time again Benvolio proves himself to be loyal, trustworthy, and compassionate to Romeo. Whenever he was in the position to be helpful to Romeo he takes the opportunity in open arms. Benvolio proved himself to have all the characteristics needed in a best friend, especially for someone like Romeo. It is quite obvious he is the better friend to Romeo than Mercutio is.
Context has greatly influenced how Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in the 1500’s to how Williams Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet was produced in 1996 by Baz Luhrmann with a more modern intention.
There is no doubt that Romeo rushes into love throughout the play. One example of this is when he falls in love with Rosaline. Although Rosaline is not a major role in the play, it shows the sorrow and uncertainty Romeo goes through after not being loved back. Marilyn Williamson said “During the time in which he was infatuated with Rosaline, he was. withdrawn into darkness” (6).
In Romeo and Juliet it stays true that the noble character Benvolio knows the diversity between what to do and what not to do. Benvolio is the character to help others out of situations that can be heated,and offering guidance when needed.Although in Act 3,of the play during the fight between the Capulet and Montague it drove how Benvolio was a deceiver to his friends. Benvolio's character reflects on many people today,showing that there is good and bad in the world;and as people we need to learn how to help each other when situations go
Benvolio, in contrast to Tybalt, is a more peaceful person who can manage his angers and hate. He, I believe, is meant to be seen as some sort of mediator: “I pray the, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl, For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” (Shakespeare, page 116).
The famous Romeo and Juliet, thinking that it could be a tragic love story that existed in the past, yet the Tomba di Giulietta is not true. William Shakespeare’s play is famous, but famous to the point where people speculate Juliet’s tomb is an actual tomb of Juliet because Verona is an actual city. If the tomb of Juliet is an actual burial of Juliet, then why would it be accessible to the public. The tomb of Juliet doesn’t seem right because someone could be actually profiting off of the tourist attraction, yet the evidence of Juliet’s tomb is too vague.
They will go to extremes to be together, such extremes as death. Romeo is obsessed with a pledged nun named Rosaline, whom he cries about many times at the beginning of the play. He tells his cousin (Benvolio), “She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair to merit bliss by making me despair/ Do I live dead that live to tell it now” (I i 217-220).
In Act 1 Scene 1 lines 228-229 Benvolio tells Romeo “By giving liberty unto thine eyes.Examine other beauties.” This is Benvolio tells Romeo that he isn’t in a commitment any more so he can look at other women. I personally think he should have left Romeo alone and let him work through his emotions for a little longer, because it takes more than a day to get over someone. Then, at the Capulet party, Romeo experiences love at first sight when he sees Juliet, the enemy.Benvolio had encouraged Romeo to go to the party at the Capulets houses, through challenging his saying that Romeo could find someone better than Rosaline at the party. Since it was a Capulet house, Romeo was not supposed to be there. If Romeo had not gone to the party, he would have never met
In act 1, scene 1 we see Romeo is very negative when he tells Benvolio “Thou canst not teach me to forget”(230). This is Romeo saying he will never forget about Rosaline. This is him being negative because he is putting himself in the position where he can't forget about her. If he
...he is out for a pre-dawn stroll. “A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad.”(I.i.114) Then later on in Act I there is evidence that Benvolio doesn’t always act sensibly as he convinces Romeo to sneak in un-invited to the enemies masquerade ball, which could end in grave consequences. In Act II Benvolio and Mercutio join together to make fun of the Nurse at her expense, “hide her face, for her fans the fairer face.” (II.iv.98-99)
will come into it as they will both be falling in love with the enemy
Benvolio in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet (Rom.) is an ideal example of how circumstances do not change values. Throughout the play, one sees how Benvolio keeps his value of peace in every situation. Two street fights occur in the tragedy; yet, he tries to maintain peace by encouraging both sides not to fight (Rom. 1.1.65-70, 3.1.51-54). He doesn’t change his value of peace based on the circumstance. Benvolio is a Montague which to most people would mean he would fight for the Montague's family, but he stands strong and let’s his value control him, not other people. People get into the trap of doing something because the people around them are doing it, but Benvolio shows how you can support those who you care about while staying firm in what you believe.This is why Benvolio is the perfect example of why circumstances shouldn’t affect values. With God, one has the power and strength to stay strong in one’s beliefs in every situation (ESV, Phil. 4.13, Luke 1.37, Matt. 19.26). Though there are temptations and struggles, one shouldn’t let circumstances affect values (ESV, Jas. 1.2-4, Rom.
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous love tales, but what if the play is not actually a tale of love, but of total obsession and infatuation. Romeo has an immature concept of love and is rather obsessive. Romeo is not the only person in the play who is obsessed though. Many people throughout the play notice his immaturities about love. Very rarely was true love actually shown in the play. attention. Romeo childishly cries to his friend, Benvolio because Rosaline will not love him back and says " She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow/ Do I live dead that live to tell it now" (I i 219-220). Romeo is stating that he's ready to die for loving Rosaline. This is exactly the same attitude Romeo had towards Juliet a little later in the play. During Scene I, Act ii, Romeo's friend, Benvolio tries to get him to go to the Capulet's party to help him get over Rosaline and meet other women Romeo gets very angry and emotional when he suggests this. “Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, / Alike bewitched by the charm of looks” (II 5-6). The chorus expresses Romeo’s juvenile way...
In fact, without it, many of the major plot lines would be incredibly different if Benvolio pertained some of Tybalt’s rage or if Tybalt shared some of Benvolio’s peace. Before Benvolio and Mercutio come upon Tybalt one afternoon, Benvolio tries to get out of it and mentions, “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. / The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; / And if we meet we shall not ‘scape a brawl, / For now, these hot days, is mad blood stirring.” (3.1, 1-4). Benvolio had prior knowledge that as Montagues, him and Mercutio would manage to get into a fight if they tried to stay where they were, surrounded by Capulets. He wanted to possibly escape the repercussions of what said fight might entail. However, Tybalt had very different plans. He purposely went looking for the two Montagues and started a brawl which, of course, resulted in Mercutio’s death. This death is a crucial part in the tragedy, for it is when Romeo causes another death, Tybalt’s, which gets him banished from Verona. Therefore, without this said character foil, none of this would have ever happened, and the plot line would drastically
Benvolio because I am a committed pacifist where as he did in fact fight during the brawl after his attempt to break it up. Next, Benvolio is dedicated to helping others. I like to think that I have this trait as well. I have often done voluntary service and the like, yet I think I might not be as dedicated as Benvolio. When Benvolio is trying to help Romeo get over Rosaline he seems fully
Juliet to accept Paris' courtship. After the brawl, Benvolio talks with his cousin Romeo, Lord Montague's son, about Romeo's recent depression. Benvolio discovers that it stems from unrequited love for a girl named Rosaline, one of Lord Capulet's nieces. Persuaded by Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo attends the ball at the Capulet house in hopes of meeting Rosaline. However, Romeo instead meets and falls in love with Juliet. After the ball, in what is now called the "balcony scene", Romeo sneaks into the Capulet courtyard and overhears Juliet on her balcony vowing her love to him in spite of her family's hatred of the Montagues. Romeo makes himself known to her and they agree to be married.