1. Literary Devices Used by Shakespeare And other writers too…

2. Soliloquy Def. A speech wherein a character speaks his thoughts aloud while he is alone. This is used to reveal thoughts or convey mood. “ Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; for I mine own gained knowledge should profane if I would time expend with such a snipe but for my sport and profit. ” - Iago (Othello I, iii)

3. Allusion Def: A reference, usually brief, to a presumably familiar person, place or thing. “ She hath Dian ’ s wit, and in strong proof of chastity well armed… ” - Romeo (R & J I,i)

4. Aside Def: A speech or comment which is only audible to the audience or specific characters, excluding other characters on stage. “ O constancy, be strong upon my side, set a huge mountain ‘ tween my heart and tongue! ” - Portia Julius Caesar II, iv

5. Personification Def: The giving of human qualities to inhuman things to enhance meaning. “ Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open… ” - Romeo (R & J, V, iii)

6. The Pun Def: A play on words used for comic relief or dramatic irony. “ Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. ” - Mercutio R & J III,i

7. The Pun Def: A play on words used for comic relief or dramatic irony. “ Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. ” - Mercutio R & J III,i

8. Dramatic Irony Def: The structuring of the drama so that the audience knows things that certain characters on stage don ’ t. “ Beauty ’ s ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, and death ’ s pale flag is not advanced there. ” - Romeo, (R & J, V, iii)

9. Metaphor Def: a seemingly illogical comparison of two things which imparts a deeper meaning upon both. “ …Juliet is the sun. ” -Romeo (R & J, II, I)

10. Oxymoron Def: a compressed paradox by linking two contradictory terms in a phrase “ O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well seeming forms. ” - Romeo (R & J, I,i)

11. Tragic Hero/ Flaw Def: A heroic character ’ s weakness or error that leads to his/her downfall. “ I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this- killing myself, to die upon a kiss. ” Othello (Othello, V, ii)

12. The End