Literary Devices in Romeo and Juliet

Alliteration The repetition of beginning consonant sounds ACT I: “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move;” (Scene 3 line 98) An example is when the Chorus in the Prologue of Act 2 says “Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie”

Pun the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications, or the use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words. ACT 2, Scene 4 “ 'Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon.”

Conceit A fanciful poetic image, especially an elaborate or exaggerated comparison. Act 2, Scene 2 “Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return.”

Metonymy substitution of some attributive or suggestive word for what is meant (e.g., "crown" for royalty) Act 3 Scene 2, lines 12 - 13 "And learn me how to lose a winning match, Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods" (virginity)

Apostrophe the device of having a character speak to a person or an abstract idea even though the person or idea isn't or can't be present. Act 2, Scene 2: “She speaks. O, speak, again, Bright angel!”

Metaphor A comparison between 2 unlike objects without using the words “Like” or “As” ACT I: “Read o’er the volume of young Paris’ face” (Scene 3, line 82)

Simile A comparison between 2 unlike objects using the words “Like” or “As” Act 2, Scene 2 “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee,”

Aside an Aside is when a character is speaking to the audience An example is when Romeo says "shall I hear more or shall I speak at this?"

Foreshadowing Foreshadowing hints at what will happen later An example is when Romeo says: “Do thou but close our hands with holy words, Then love-devouring death do what he dare;” Act 2, Scene 6

Irony Irony usually signals a difference between the appearance of things and reality. It's ironic that when Mercutio teases Romeo about being in love with Rosaline, Romeo is really in love with Juliet. Act 2, Scene 1

Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. JULIET “O God, I have an ill-divining soul! Methinks I see thee, now thou art below, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb: Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.” She is saying the Romeo looks like a dead body in a tomb. And that's where she'll see him next---dead in a tomb. That's why it's dramatic irony. They don't know they're going to end up dead, but the audience does.

Hyperbole Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally For example in act 2, scene 2, line 140, Juliet says that her "bounty is as boundless the sea." In other words, she says what she has to offer Romeo is wider than the ocean.

Allusion A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, or event--real or fictional. There are allusions to Cupid, Venus, Jove, Cleopatra, and Dido, all in the first two scenes of Act 2

Oxymoron An oxymoron is a figure of speech where absurd or opposing terms appear side by side. An example is when Juliet refers to Romeo as a "beautiful tyrant”.