Romeo and Juliet Literary Terms

Tragic Hero The protagonist, or central character Usually fails or dies because of a character flaw or cruel twist of fate Has high social status Shows strength while facing his/her destiny

Foil A character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another character Highlights both characters’ traits because they are opposites of one another

Metaphor A figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else…a direct comparison. Example: “Oh speak again bright angel!” Romeo about Juliet Example: “He’s a man of wax.” Nurse about Paris

Simile Figure of speech in which “like” or “as” is used to compare two unlike things. Example: “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boist’rous, and it pricks like thorns.” Romeo describing love

Oxymoron Two unlike words put together to make a strong impact Example: Cold fire, sick health, feather of lead, still waking sleep Descriptions show Romeo’s conflicting emotions about love

Pun Play on words based on different meanings of words that sound alike Example: “You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move.” Romeo

Soliloquy A speech in which a character, alone on stage (or they think they are), expresses his/her thoughts to the audience. This reveals their thoughts and advances the plot Example: Juliet speaking about Romeo in the balcony scene of Act II

Monologue A lengthy speech, but unlike a soliloquy, a monologue is addressed to another character(s), not the audience. Example: Mercutio’s “Queen Mab” speech before the Capulet party

Aside A short speech or line delivered by an actor to the audience. This reveals the character’s thoughts and the other actors on stage “don’t hear this” (obviously they do, but they pretend that they don’t )

Motif A repeating theme, idea, or symbol throughout a work. Motifs to look for in Romeo and Juliet are: Light and Dark Imagery Flower Imagery Bird and “Winged” Imagery Dream References Stars and Heavens Imagery

Comic Relief Funny scene after a serious scene The purpose here is for contrast and enjoyment…to lighten the mood after a serious scene. Example: Act II scene iv

Dramatic Irony This occurs when a character’s work or actions have one meaning for the character and a different meaning for the audience. This occurs when the audience knows more than the character about a situation Example: We know Romeo and Juliet are from enemy families before they do