Romeo And Juliet Figurative Language Essay
Act I Analysis of Literary Terms
1. Metaphor- word or phrase used to compare two things that are not usually thought of as alike.
“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs…” –Romeo (Act I, Scene 1, 176)
Romeo’s statement is a metaphor because he compares the concept of love to smoke. The smoke is “made” from the mourns of the depressed. Romeo, in the beginning of scene 1, is downhearted. His love – or, rather, lust – for the maiden Rosaline has been blown away by her chastity. This example of a metaphor emphasizes Romeo’s state of mind and heart since he is emotionally broken.
2. Allusion- a reference in a story to another work or art or literature.
“The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, away from the light steals home my heavy son, and …show more content…
Personification- adding humanlike qualities to a nonhuman object.
“The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she…” –Capulet (Act I, Scene 2, 14) The earth “swallowing” Capulet’s hopes is an example of personification because it adds humanlike characteristics to the earth. In this scene, Capulet tells Paris of how all of his children died except Juliet. She is his only hope that is still alive. This example of personification makes the audience imagine the earth literally taking Capulet’s children from him, creating a melancholy effect.
5. Comic Relief- in a story, a (humorous) break from serious topics.
“Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take away? … Cheerly, boys; be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all.” –First and Second Servant (Act I, Scene 5, 1-13) Comic relief is shown here in the fifth scene of Act I. The four scenes before this included sadness and despair. Whether it was from Romeo’s lamentations or the fights between the two houses, all was dreary. A random turn in the story, such as the one shown here, will result in a breath of relief from the audience. The conversation between the two servants may be humorous to those that are reading/watching the story because of the stress they already
1. Metaphor- word or phrase used to compare two things that are not usually thought of as alike.
“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs…” –Romeo (Act I, Scene 1, 176)
Romeo’s statement is a metaphor because he compares the concept of love to smoke. The smoke is “made” from the mourns of the depressed. Romeo, in the beginning of scene 1, is downhearted. His love – or, rather, lust – for the maiden Rosaline has been blown away by her chastity. This example of a metaphor emphasizes Romeo’s state of mind and heart since he is emotionally broken.
2. Allusion- a reference in a story to another work or art or literature.
“The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, away from the light steals home my heavy son, and …show more content…
Personification- adding humanlike qualities to a nonhuman object.
“The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she…” –Capulet (Act I, Scene 2, 14) The earth “swallowing” Capulet’s hopes is an example of personification because it adds humanlike characteristics to the earth. In this scene, Capulet tells Paris of how all of his children died except Juliet. She is his only hope that is still alive. This example of personification makes the audience imagine the earth literally taking Capulet’s children from him, creating a melancholy effect.
5. Comic Relief- in a story, a (humorous) break from serious topics.
“Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take away? … Cheerly, boys; be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all.” –First and Second Servant (Act I, Scene 5, 1-13) Comic relief is shown here in the fifth scene of Act I. The four scenes before this included sadness and despair. Whether it was from Romeo’s lamentations or the fights between the two houses, all was dreary. A random turn in the story, such as the one shown here, will result in a breath of relief from the audience. The conversation between the two servants may be humorous to those that are reading/watching the story because of the stress they already