Mythic Roots (Pyramus and Thisbe)
In Ovid's myth, the lovers are separated by this physical structure.
What is a wall?
Romeo says, "Juliet is the sun." This is an example of what device?
What is a metaphor?
Romeo says the moon is "envious" of Juliet. Who does the moon represent in this scene?
Who is Diana/the goddess of virginity?
Romeo notices Juliet’s lips are still red, but he thinks it is because this "personified" force is in love with her
Who is Death?
This 14-line poem at the start of the play tells us the ending before the play begins.
What is the Prologue?
This animal’s presence in the myth causes the misunderstanding that leads to death.
What is a lioness?
Juliet says parting is "sweet sorrow." This pairing of opposites is called what?
What is an oxymoron?
Juliet uses this "sea" comparison to describe her love for Romeo.
What is a simile?
Juliet calls the dagger this "oxymoron" right before she uses it.
What is "happy dagger"?
This character serves as the "catalyst" for the tragedy because his anger forces Romeo into a fight.
Who is Tybalt?
Instead of a physical wall, Shakespeare uses this "barrier" between the two families.
What is the feud/social conflict?
When the audience knows Juliet is just sleeping but Romeo thinks she is dead, it is called this.
What is dramatic irony?
uliet calls their love a "bud" that will "flower." This suggests she thinks their relationship is...
What is moving too fast/needs time to grow?
Romeo addresses his lips as "doors of breath." What is the "seal" he puts on those doors?
What is a kiss?
In the 14th century, Juliet would be committing this sin if she married Paris while still married to Romeo
What is bigamy?
This term describes a recurring story pattern, like "forbidden lovers," found in both texts.
What is an archetype?
Romeo calls the tomb a "detestable maw" (mouth) that has "gorged" (eaten) Juliet. This is what device?
What is personification?
Romeo claims he got over the orchard walls using "love’s light wings," which is an example of this extreme exaggeration.
What is hyperbole?
This character is the "foil" to Romeo in the tomb, showing a more traditional, quiet way of mourning.
Who is Paris?
When we analyze the "connotation" of a word, we are looking for the word's...
What is emotional or cultural meaning?
Shakespeare’s decision to make the "sign" of death a failed message rather than a bloody veil makes the tragedy feel more like a result of...
What is fate or bad luck?
This device is used when a character speaks their inner thoughts alone on stage, like Juliet on the balcony.
What is a soliloquy?
In this scene, "light" imagery represents Juliet, while "dark" imagery often represents this character’s previous mood.
Who is Romeo/his depression over Rosaline?
The tomb is described as a "womb of death." This comparison suggests that their death will lead to...
What is the "birth" of peace in Verona?
Shakespeare uses the "Prologue" to establish this major theme, suggesting the lovers were never meant to survive.
What is Fate/Star-crossed lovers?