AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2 Romeo and Juliet

Family

Family / Family relationships

Moment 1: Act 1 Scene 1/2

Parents and children

"Unless good counsel may the cause remove.", "My child is yet a stranger in the world,"

Language analysis – 'child' and 'stranger' exaggerates Juliet's innocence, 'my' is possessive.

Effect on play and audience –

"Madam, I am here, what is your will?"

Language analysis – 'will' shows that what her mother says will be followed no matter what (obedience)

Effect on play and audience – Formal relationship with Lady Capulet.

NEW INFO – Romeo and Juliet both have caring parents, but their relationship is quite formal and curt

Moment 2: Act 1 Scene 3

Surrogate parents

"What, lamb! What, ladybird!"

Language analysis – liquid sounds here make the speech flow naturally, much like how their relationship is naturally of a mother and daughter and quite informal.

Effect on play and audience – makes the time when Nurse betrays Juliet more abrupt and unexpected

"Good morrow, father."

Language analysis – 'father' means Romeo looks up to and comes to Friar Lawrence for advice

Effect on play and audience –

Moment 3: Act 3 Scene 5

"out, you baggage!", "Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend!"

Language analysis – imperatives and exclamation mark show anger, 'baggage' means burden

Effect on play and audience – audience feels sympathy for Juliet, drives Juliet to take drastic measures

NEW INFO – relationships are very fragile and can be easily broken

Moment 4: Act 4 Scene 5

"my child, my only life!"

Language analysis – 'child' feels wrong since Juliet died at a young age, exclamation marks shows heightened emotion

Effect on play and audience – sympathy? Lady Capulet only realises Juliet's worth after she dies, not a good mother

"Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath."

Language analysis – plosives shows suddenness of Lady Montague's death, therefore how much she cares for Romeo since she dies straight after his banishment

Effect on play and audience – makes audience compare both Ladies (Lady Montague is a better mother since she even dies)