Question

Romeo and Juliet

Read this extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the
question that follows.
At this point in the play Tybalt is challenging Romeo, with Mercutio as a witness.
MERCUTIO
No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a
church-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask for
me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I
am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o'
both your houses! 'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a
cat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, a
rogue, a villain, that fights by the book of
arithmetic! Why the devil came you between us? I
was hurt under your arm.
ROMEO
I thought all for the best.
MERCUTIO
Help me into some house, Benvolio,
Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses!
They have made worms' meat of me: I have it,
And soundly too: your houses!
Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
ROMEO
This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!
Re-enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
ROMEO
This day's black fate on more days doth depend;
This but begins the woe, others must end.
Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents attitude to truth and
honour.
Write about:
• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to honour and truth in the extract.
• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to honour and truth in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Answer 1

Shakespeare presents conflicting attitudes to honor and truth in Romeo and Juliet, reflecting these ideals' contribution to tragedy within the play's context of family feud and misguided values.

Step-by-step explanation:

Attitudes to Honor and Truth in Romeo and Juliet

In the provided extract from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents attitudes to honor and truth through the character's dialogue and actions amid a catastrophic event. Mercutio's dying words, "A plague o' both your houses!" reflect his disdain for the feud between the Capulets and Montagues, suggesting that their so-called honor has led to his untimely death. Romeo's lament on the consequences of his actions—"This gentleman, the prince's near ally, My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt In my behalf; my reputation stain'd With Tybalt's slander"—indicates how deeply he values his honor, and his recognition of the disastrous impact that the quest for honor and truth has had on him and his peers.

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare challenges traditional notions of honor and truth, often portraying them as ideals that lead to tragedy and misunderstanding. For instance, the titular characters' secret marriage is an attempt to honor their love in a divided society, yet the concealment of this truth only results in greater misfortune. Furthermore, characters like Tybalt adhere to an outdated code of honor, provoking needless violence that ultimately contributes to the overall tragedy of the play.

The themes of honor and truth in Romeo and Juliet are complex and nuanced, frequently questioning the value and implications of these ideals within the toxic environment of family rivalry. The tragic outcomes of characters who either adhere to or challenge these ideals reflect the destructive capabilities of misconstrued honor and suppressed truth, ultimately leading to a devastating end for the main characters and a bitter lesson for their families.