Vocabulary Rotation #10

Aside (noun) An actor’ speech heard by the audience but supposedly NOT by other characters.

Mercurial (adj.) quickly changing or fluctuating Synonyms: flighty, temperamental Antonyms: consistent One of Romeo’s friends has a mercurial personality makes it difficult to determine his mood when he goes from happy to sad.

Impetuous (adj.) acting without thinking Synonyms: rash, spontaneous Antonym: controlled, reflective Readers wonder whether Romeo and Juliet would have ended differently if the main characters had not been so impetuous with their decisions and thought out a plan in a calm manner.

Somber (adj.) of a dismal, gloomy, or depressing mood Synonyms: bleak, solemn Antonyms: happy, ecstatic Although Romeo and Juliet is often considered a love story, it actually has a very somber message.

Repentant (adj.) the act of feeling regret or contrition Synonyms: remorseful, apologetic Antonym: Defiant Because the families in Romeo and Juliet were not repentant for their behavior, they would up paying the ultimate sacrifice with the lives of their children.

Feud (Noun) a long standing fight Synonyms: conflict, rivalry Antonym: comradeship The ancient feud between the families fueled the secrecy of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship because they did not want to get into trouble.

Vile adj. – foul, disgusting, or utterly bad Synonyms: offensive, horrible Antonym: pleasant Juliet’s cousin thought Romeo and his family members were vile, evil wrongdoers who needed to be punished.

Sonnet (noun) A fourteen-lined poem with structured meter and rhyme scheme.

Soliloquy (noun) A speech or long series of lines delivered singularly when no other characters are on stage.

Couplet (noun) Two consecutive rhymed lines of poetry.