Literary Devices
“O brawling love! O loving hate!”
What literary device is this?
Oxymoron
“My only love sprung from my only hate!”
Juliet
Where does the play take place?
Verona, Italy
What does the audience know that Romeo does not know when he first meets Juliet?
She is a Capulet.
“Two households, both alike in dignity.”
Two families of equal status.
Romeo compares Juliet to a holy shrine and himself to a pilgrim.
What literary device is this?
Metaphor
“Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.”
Benvolio
Why does Romeo originally go to the Capulet party?
To see Rosaline, the girl he thinks he loves.
Why does dramatic irony create tension in the play?
The audience knows something the characters don’t, creating suspense.
“My only love sprung from my only hate.”
The person I love comes from the family I hate.
Romeo uses many exaggerated descriptions of love.
What literary device is this?
Hyperbole
“If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”
Prince Escalus
Where do Romeo and Juliet first meet?
The Capulet party
Romeo sneaks into the Capulet party.
Why does this create tension for the audience?
The audience knows the Montagues and Capulets are enemies, so Romeo could be discovered and attacked.
“I will look to like, if looking liking move.”
I’ll see if I might like him.
Romeo and Juliet create a sonnet together when they meet.
Why might Shakespeare do this?
Their connection is balanced and harmonious
Their love feels perfect or destined
They immediately match each other intellectually
“Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone.”
Lord Capulet
Why does Benvolio encourage Romeo to attend the Capulet party?
He hopes Romeo will see other women and forget Rosaline.
Why might the audience already feel worried about Romeo and Juliet’s relationship?
The prologue tells us they will die.
“O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!”
I wish I were a glove on her hand so I could touch her face.
Why might Shakespeare use religious imagery when Romeo meets Juliet?
To show Romeo idolizes Juliet and sees their love as pure or sacred.
“If love be rough with you, be rough with love.”
Mercutio
Why does Juliet agree to look at Paris at the party?
She respects her parents and says she will see if she might like him.
Romeo says at the party:
“Did my heart love till now?”
Why might this line be ironic to the audience?
Because Romeo was deeply obsessed with Rosaline just moments earlier.
“From ancient grudge break to new mutiny.”
A long-standing, generational hatred has erupted into new, violent, and chaotic fighting.