Character Analysis
This character serves as Romeo's cousin and best friend, trying to cheer him up about Rosaline.
Benvolio
This Italian city serves as the setting where "fair is foul" due to an ancient grudge between two families.
Verona
"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun" is an example of this literary device.
Metaphor
When Juliet speaks her thoughts aloud on the balcony, not knowing Romeo is listening, she is delivering this type of speech
Soliloquy
Romeo and Juliet's first conversation together follows this 14-line poetic form that was popular during Shakespeare's time.
Sonnet
Juliet's mother wants her to marry this wealthy young man who has asked for her hand.
Paris
Romeo and his friends attend this event hosted by the Capulets, where Romeo first sees Juliet.
Capulet Ball/Feast/Party
"My only love sprung from my only hate" demonstrates this literary device that combines contradictory terms.
Oxymoron
The Nurse's interruptions during the balcony scene create this dramatic effect.
Suspense or Comic Relief
What is the typical rhyme scheme for a Shakespearean sonnet?
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
This character serves as a foil to Benvolio by being hot-tempered and eager to fight, especially with Romeo.
Tybalt
This location is where Romeo hides to overhear Juliet speaking of her love in Act 2, Scene 2.
Capulet Garden/Beneath Juliet's Balcony
Romeo's statement "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!" uses this literary device by exaggerating his previous feelings.
Hyperbole
The opening fight scene serves this dramatic purpose in the play's structure.
Establishing Conflict
Romeo's line "My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand" gives human qualities to this body part through this poetic device.
Personification
Romeo's behavior changes dramatically between Acts 1 and 2 due to this major shift in his romantic feelings.
Falling in love with Juliet after being heartbroken over Roseline.
The Prince threatens this punishment for anyone who disturbs the peace again after the street brawl in Act 1.
Death
"O brawling love, O loving hate" shows Romeo's confused emotions through this device using opposite words together.
Oxymoron
Tybalt's recognition of Romeo at the party and his anger at Capulet's refusal to remove him builds this in the plot diagram.
Rising Action
Juliet's line "For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch" demonstrates this poetic technique by repeating the "h" sound.
Alliteration
The Nurse's long-winded storytelling and humor serves this purpose in contrast to Juliet's more refined speech.
Comic relief and class differences
Romeo and Juliet make plans to meet at this location the next day to be secretly married.
Friar Lawrence's Cell
Benvolio's advice to Romeo about looking at other women - "Compare her face with some that I shall show" - creates this literary effect because we know Romeo will indeed find someone new.
Dramatic Irony
The Prologue that tells us about "two households, both alike in dignity" serves this function in the play's plot diagram.
Exposition
Romeo's phrase from his sonnet in Act 1, Scene 5 "two blushing pilgrims" uses this poetic technique by giving his lips human characteristics like shyness.
Personification