LITERARY TERMSRomeo & Juliet

Symbolism

Using words and images to represent something else with a deeper meaning.

Examples: Nurse’s “Fan” represents “high class”“Thumb biting” = “insult” Samson bites his

thumb at the Montagues because he wants to start a fight, but doesn’t want to be blamed for starting it.

Motifs

Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

Example: Dark/Light is a recurring visual motif that is

contrasted to symbolize night and day.

Imagery

Using words to create an image in the reader’s mind.

Examples: Contrast between Light/Dark = usually

represented by night and day.

Metaphor

A comparison not using “like” or “as”

Example:“Goodly Geare” = A fat woman“Shirt and a Smocke” = Peter (man); Nurse

(woman)

Simile A comparison using “like,” “as” or “than” Example:

Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeperToo rude, too boisterous; and it pricks like thornLike a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;He bears him like a portly gentleman;Like softest music to attending ears!Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,Without his roe, like a dried herring.And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair

Oxymoron

Putting together two constraining images or words to communicate a deeper message or image.Examples:Beautiful tyrant (oxymoron) Line 80

Fiend angelical (oxymoron)  Line 80 Dove-feather'd raven (oxymoron) Line 81 Wolvish-ravening lamb (oxymoron) Line 81 Damned saint (oxymoron)  Line 84 Honourable villain (oxymoron) Line 84

Allusion

Making reference to historical figures or events, past literature, religious figures/concepts or policies.

Examples:Act I scene IV, a reference to Cupid, the

Roman god of love who shoots mortals with his bow and arrow to make them fall in love.

Pun

Playing with words and their meanings to create an effect – often for comic relief.Example:

○ "Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles…" (I.iv.13-15).