William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet Literary Devices

Figurative Language • Speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning • Employs figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification and hyperbole • All language intended to not be taken literally

Personification • Definition: To assign human qualities to something that isn’t human. • Example: “I’ll say yon gray is not the morning’s eye.” (III.v.19) • .”

Metaphor • Definition: Comparison between two unlike things • Example:Whiter than new snow upon a raven’s back.” (III.ii.19)

Simile • Definition: Comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” • Example: “And to’ t they go likelightning” (III.i.166)

Analogy • Definition: an extended comparison showing the similarities between two things. • Example: Juliet’s comparison of Romeo and a rose in her soliloquy.

Allusion • Definition: An indirect reference to another person, place, or event in literature, history, art, or music. • Example: “Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia’sbrow.” (III.V.20) • Explanation: Cynthia was a name for the moon.

Monologue • A long uninterrupted speech given by one character to other characters. • Examples: ROMEO: But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun… OR JULIET: Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?...

Soliloquy • A speech in which a character is alone on stage and expresses thoughts out loud • Examples: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright… (Romeo, Act I, Scene 1) What light through yonder window breaks?... (Romeo Act 2 Scene 2) The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse... (Juliet Act 2 Scene 5) Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds… (Juliet Act 3, Scene 2) How oft when men are at the point of death (Romeo Act 5 Scene 3)

Aside • Words spoken by a character in a play usually in an undertone and not intended to be heard by all.

Epithet • Definition: A descriptive adjective or phrase used to characterize someone or something. • Example: “Romeo! Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover! (II.i.7)

Meter -Iambic Pentameter • Definition of meter: The pattern of syllables in a poem. • Notes: Iambic Pentameter is one form of meter. • Aniamb’s emphasis is unstressed, stressed • Pentameter (Penta = 5) refers to the fact that there are five feet, or sets of syllables (stressed/unstressed) in the line. That makes ten syllables in total.

Example of Iambic Pentameter • Example: “Twohouse- (1) holds both (2) a-like (3) in dig- (4) ni-ty” (5)

Couplet • Two (like a couple) consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. • Example: Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!

Repetition/Alliteration • Definition: Repetition- The repeating of a word, phrase, stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. • Example: “Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” .

Alliteration • Type of Repetition - Alliteration is the repetition of a particular sound in the beginning syllables in a series of words or phrases. • Example: Juliet: “I’ll look to like if looking liking move…” (I.iii.11-12)

RHYME Definition: A word answering in sound to another word. • Example: “Would through the airy region stream so bright/That birds would sing and think it were not night.” (II.ii.21-22)

Dialogue • Definition: A conversation between two or more people • Example: Lady Capulet: “Speak briefly, can you like of Paris’s love?” Juliet: “I’ll look to like if looking liking move…”(I, iii, 11-12)

Foreshadowing • Definition: The use of clues or hints to suggest what action is to come. • Example: Romeo: “By some vile forfeit of the untimely death…” (I.v.111)

Dramatic irony • A contrast between what the audience perceives and what a character does not know • Example: In this scene, the audience knows that Juliet is still alive but Romeo doesn’t know that.

Imagery • Definition: Language that appeals to any sense (sight, hearing, taste, touch, or smell) or any combination of these. • Example: “Many a morning hath he there be seen, with tears augmenting the fresh morning’sdew.” (I.i.122-23)

Oxymoron • Definition: A figure of speech that combines apparently contradictory (opposite) terms • Examples: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” “Oh loving hate”

Foil A character who sets off another character by contrast. Examples: Mercutio, the witty skeptic, is a foil for Romeo, the young lover. Mercutiomocks Romeo’s vision of love and the poetic devices he uses to express his emotions

Characterization • Definition: The personality a character displays and the way the author reveals it. • Example: “Star crossed lovers” and “Enough of this, I pray thee hold thy peace.” –Lady Capulet, (I.iii.4)

Pun • The humorous use of a word or phrase to suggest two or more meanings at the same time.

Tragedy

Tragic Hero • Romeo is an extremely impulsive individual and makes decisions without considering the consequences. His mistakes bring about several complications that eventually lead to his untimely death and that of Juliet. • Romeo's flaw is impetuousness. He acts without thinking about the consequences to his actions. He must have what he wantsimmediately, instead of stepping back and looking at the choices he has before him. • Juliet also emerges as having this flaw of impetuousness. She is quick to act in an "all or nothing" manner.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet