Romeo and Juliet Literary Terms

“Oh no, what a TRAGEDY!” A tragedy is a work of literature, especially a play, that results in a catastrophe for the main character.

Shakespearean Tragedy Definition of a Shakespearean tragedy: Tragic drama that is fundamentally serious, involving the downfall of a heroic figure. Tragic hero: an articulate, social authority, someone who is important, within his society. The hero has at least one weakness, fault, or tragic flaw, which during the course of the play grows until it overcomes his virtues and leads to his downfall.

Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy Death of the tragic hero Often in Shakespearean tragedies, we see abnormal conditions of the mind such as hallucinations and somnambulism. Ghosts and witches that have knowledge that is important to the plot. Soliloquies: an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play. Asides: a character's speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other characters on stage.

“What he said!” Dialogue is written or spoken language between characters.

Blank Verse Much of Romeo and Juliet is written blank verse. Blank verse is: Unrhymed verse Iambic (stressed, unstressed) Pentameter (5 metric feet that ends up to be 10 syllables per line)

Plot Exposition: introduction Rising Action: events that lead to the climax Climax: turning point Falling Action: events after the climax that lead to the resolution Resolution: end of the conflict

Soliloquy A soliloquy is a long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage. (Seems like the character is talking to himself/herself.)

Aside An aside is dialogue spoken, usually quietly, that is not intended to be heard by all characters. Example: Romeo in Act I, “Is she a Capulet?”

Allusion An allusion is a reference in literature to another piece of literature, history, or mythology.

Puns A pun is a play on words based on different meanings of words that sound alike. Examples: “You’re the only Ten- I- See. (Tennessee)” Shakespeare is a very “punny” guy!

Oxymoron An oxymoron is a phrase consisting of words that seem the opposite in meaning, such as "sweet sorrow”. Other examples: Jumbo shrimp Sweet-n-sour Dry ice

Stage Direction An instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting. Example: Capulet: “Come along with me. (To Peter, handing him a paper) Go, little fellow, walk all around Verona. Find the people on this list and tell them they’re welcome at my house tonight.”

Instagram! Directions Choose Romeo and Juliet. The character’s Instagram page should include: A username “@_______________” 2 to 3 sentences about the character 3 pictures portraying the character - Think about #MCM, #WCW, #Selfie, #TBT Write a 1 or 2 sentence caption with each picture