Romeo and Juliet Literary Terms

Romeo and Juliet Literary Terms Act I

Aside An aside is a short speech delivered by an actor in a play, expressing the character's thoughts. Traditionally, the aside is directed to the audience and is presumed to be inaudible to the other actors. • “[aside] Is she a Capulet?/Oh dear account! My life is my foe’s debt!” – Romeo (I,v

Conflict • A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. Characters in conflict form the basis of stories, novels, and plays.There are two kinds of conflict: external and internal. In an external conflict, the main character struggles against an outside force. An internal conflict involves a character in conflict with himself or herself.

Conflict continued • Examples – Lady or the Tiger • Romeo and Juliet

Couplet • A couplet is a pair of rhyming lines, usually of the same length and meter. (lines are roughly the same length) • Prodigious birth of love it is to me That I must love a loathed enemy” – Juliet (I,v)

Foreshadowing • Foreshadowing is the use of clues that hint or suggest events that have yet to occur. Use of this technique helps to create suspense, keeping readers wondering and speculating about what will happen next. • “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” (Prologue) (tells)

Foil • A foil is a character who is contrasted with another character, highlighting the differences in each character’s personality • Romeo and Benvolio (I, i)

Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else. Unlike a simile, which compares two things using like or as, a metaphor states a comparison directly. Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air – Benvolio (I,I, 152)

Pun • A pun is a play on words based on different meanings of words that sound alike. • Samson: Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals.” • Gregory: “No for then we should be colliers.” • Samson: “I mean, and we be in choler, we’ll draw.” • Gregory: “Aye, while you leave, draw your neck out of collar.” (I, i)

Simile • A simile is a figure of speech in which like or as is used to make a comparison between two basically unlike ideas. • It seems she hands upon the cheek of night/ As a rich jewel’ in an Ethiop’s ear” – Romeo (I, v)

Figurative Language • Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else,you are using figurative language. • Simile, metaphor, personification

Oxymoron • a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. • Jumbo - shrimp

Your task • As a group, find an example of this term within the first Act of the play (preferably what we have already read) • Create a poster with a picture illustrating (to the best of your ability) the term in use, the definition of the term, the example from the text and an explanation for what Shakespeare is trying to do by using the device • You will have the rest of today and some of tomorrow to work on this. Be as creative as possible.

Groups • Group 1 – Metaphor Maribel, Jake D, Jake A Group 2 – Simile Nathalia, Gio, Nicole Group 3 – Pun Allie, Casey, Randy Group 4 – Foreshadowing Becca, Jon, Paul

Romeo and Juliet Literary Terms