Helpful Terms for Understanding Romeo and Juliet

Prologue Prologue the opening part, usually spoken by the chorus. The prologue contains a brief account of the story’s plot. the opening part, usually spoken by the chorus. The prologue contains a brief account of the story’s plot. Soliloquy Soliloquy is a long speech expressing the thoughts and feelings of a character alone on stage. is a long speech expressing the thoughts and feelings of a character alone on stage. Example- Romeo’s speech after Paris has died. Example- Romeo’s speech after Paris has died. Aside Aside a brief remark spoken to the audience a brief remark spoken to the audience (often the villain whispering his dastardly plans). (often the villain whispering his dastardly plans). Monologue Monologue a speech by one character in a play a speech by one character in a play (but not alone on stage). (but not alone on stage). Example- the Prince’s speech commanding the families to stop feuding. Example- the Prince’s speech commanding the families to stop feuding.

Rhetorical Question Rhetorical Question a question asked for dramatic effect that the speaker does not expect anyone to answer or that does not have a definitive answer a question asked for dramatic effect that the speaker does not expect anyone to answer or that does not have a definitive answer Examples- Examples- What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of life? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? Why do fools fall in love? Why do fools fall in love? Blank Verse Blank Verse poetry that does not rhyme but has a musical tune to it. This is because it is written in iambic pentameter. poetry that does not rhyme but has a musical tune to it. This is because it is written in iambic pentameter. Prose Prose common language which does not necessarily have a rhythmical sound to it. Usually it is spoken in Shakespeare’s play by servants or the lower classes. We also refer to any type of writing that is not poetry as prose. This can also happen during a moment of extreme distress in a character’s life, such as when Mercutio is dying. common language which does not necessarily have a rhythmical sound to it. Usually it is spoken in Shakespeare’s play by servants or the lower classes. We also refer to any type of writing that is not poetry as prose. This can also happen during a moment of extreme distress in a character’s life, such as when Mercutio is dying.

Imagery Imagery the use of words that appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell). All of the terms below add to the imagery. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses imagery referring to animals and birds, imagery referring to parts of the body, imagery referring to food, and imagery referring to plants, trees, and flowers. the use of words that appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell). All of the terms below add to the imagery. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses imagery referring to animals and birds, imagery referring to parts of the body, imagery referring to food, and imagery referring to plants, trees, and flowers. Oxymoron Oxymoron the use of two words together in a phrase that are a contradiction of one another(like plastic silverware, jumbo shrimp). Not all oxymorons are intended to be humorous. the use of two words together in a phrase that are a contradiction of one another(like plastic silverware, jumbo shrimp). Not all oxymorons are intended to be humorous. Check out Romeo’s frustration with Rosaline in Act I: Check out Romeo’s frustration with Rosaline in Act I: “O heavy lightness, serious vanity, “O heavy lightness, serious vanity, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms, Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!” Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!”

Puns Puns when a word has two or more meanings or a word very similar to it in sound, the ambiguity can be used for witty effect, both comic and serious. Shakespeare loved word play, and puns were very popular. when a word has two or more meanings or a word very similar to it in sound, the ambiguity can be used for witty effect, both comic and serious. Shakespeare loved word play, and puns were very popular. Regarding Language Regarding Language In Shakespeare’s day, thee, thy, and thou were used for two reasons—either showing affection to family members and loved ones, or to show contempt to someone not considered an equal. In other words, people did not use thee, thy, and thou with business associates or people of the same status they didn’t know well. When Tybalt uses it with any Montagues, it’s an insult. In Shakespeare’s day, thee, thy, and thou were used for two reasons—either showing affection to family members and loved ones, or to show contempt to someone not considered an equal. In other words, people did not use thee, thy, and thou with business associates or people of the same status they didn’t know well. When Tybalt uses it with any Montagues, it’s an insult.

All of Shakespeare’s tragedies follow a similar structure Act I Act I Exposition describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play. The time and place will be identified as well as the main characters and their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another. Exposition describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play. The time and place will be identified as well as the main characters and their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another. Act II Act II Rising action is the series of events that lead up to the climax of the play. Rising action is the series of events that lead up to the climax of the play. Act III Act III Turning point and climax of the play Turning point and climax of the play Act IV Act IV Falling action--everything from the climax to the hero’s death Falling action--everything from the climax to the hero’s death Act V Act V Catastrophe—hero’s death Catastrophe—hero’s death