Romeo & Juliet Term Definitions

Tragedy a serious drama typically describing conflict between the main character and destiny (fate) and having a sorrowful or disastrous ending that brings pity or terror. (Day 1)

Couplet two consecutive lines of verse forming a unit marked by rhythmic correspondence rhyme. (Day 1)

Oxymoron a combination of contradictory words. (Day 1)

Pun the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound. “You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead / So stakes me to the ground I cannot move” (Act 1, sc1, ln 14-16). (Day 1)

Metaphor a figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” (Day 2)

Simile a figure of speech in which “like” or “as” is used to make a comparison between two basically unlike things. (Day 2)

Foreshadowing to represent or indicate beforehand (Day 2)

Personification a type of figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given humanlike qualities. (Day 2)

Monologue a long set of dialogue by one character to other characters; not alone on stage. (Day 3)

Soliloquy a long set of dialogue by one character alone on stage. (Day 3)

Aside short comment a character makes to the audience (Day 3)

Dramatic Irony when the audience knows something the actors/actresses on stage do not. (Day 4)

Dramatic Foil characters and character opposites. Two characters to balance each other out, such characters, who highlight or bring out the personality traits of another character. (Day 4)

Theme The message of a literary work