Romeo & 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-keeper Too rude, too boisterous; and it pricks like thorn Like 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).