Romeo and Juliet Critical Analysis Tasks
(Note: All pages and lines are from the Green Prentice Hall Literature book)
Act I:
Interpreting the effect of imagery
The vivid and diverse imagery found in Romeo and Juliet does several things:
1. contributes to the mood 2. reveals character
3. suggests ideas about the characters or plot
4. affects the way you respond to the dialogue and action
Explain the effect of the imagery in the following quotes:
1. Romeo
“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes;
(p.777, L-181-183)
Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.”
2. Capulet
“Earth hath swallowed up all my hopes but she: (p.778, L.16-17)
[Juliet] is the hopeful lady of my earth.”
3. Servant
“It is written that the shoemaker meddle with his
yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with (p. 779, L.38-41)
his pencil, and the painter with his nets.”
4. Romeo
…my mind misgives
Some consequence hanging in the stars…
But he that has the steerage of my course
Direct my sail! On, lusty gentleman!”
(p. 787, L.106, 112-113)
Act II: Understanding the Dramatic Foil
The use of dramatic foils – characters created to stand in contrast to one another as a way of highlighting
and emphasizing character traits – is also a good way to sustain the interest and attention of the audience by
providing variety.
Explain the ways in which: 1. Benvolio can be viewed as a foil to Mercutio and 2. Friar Lawrence can be
viewed as a foil to Romeo.
Act III: Understanding Allusions
Allusions enrich a passage by drawing on ideas and images from other works of literature, mythology, or history.
The following are quotations from Acts II and III. Explain how the allusion (italicized and defined after passage)
enriches or reinforces the feeling/ idea of the passage.
1.
Juliet (p. 826. III.ii.45-47)
“Hath Romeo slain himself? Say thou but ‘Ay,’
And that bare vowel ‘I’ shall poison more
Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice.”
In fables, the cockatrice was a serpent that could kill with its glance.
2.
Juliet (P. 801. II.ii.16-163, to Romeo from her window as they prepare to part after having
exchanged vows of love)
“Bondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud,
Else would I rear the cave where Echo lies
And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine
With repetition of ‘My Romeo!’”
In Greek Mythology, unable to win Narcissus’ love, Echo wastes away until only her voice is left.
Act IV: Understanding Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a device whereby, in a given scene, an audience possesses a certain knowledge or
understanding that is not shared by one or more of the characters – The audience knows more than the
character. This heightens tension and excitement and draws the audience more deeply into the play. Below
are situations from Act IV involving dramatic irony. Explain the irony of the situation and how it might
affect an audience’s emotions or their appreciation of the play.
1.
Juliet speaks with Paris in Friar Lawrence’s cell and gives him the impression she intends to marry
him.
2.
Juliet speaks with her father and mother giving them the impression that she intends to marry Paris.
3.
On Tuesday evening, Juliet tells her mother to “let the nurse this night sit up with you:/ For I am
sure you have your hands full all in this so sudden business.”
4.
Friar Lawrence consoles Juliet’s parents, who believe that their daughter is dead.
Act V: Interpreting Metaphorical Language
Some of the most startling images in Romeo and Juliet are based on similes or metaphors, comparisons of
things that are unlike or that seem to share no obvious similarities. Read the following examples taken from
Act V and explain what things are being compared and what ideas or emotions are suggested by the
comparison.
1. Romeo
…Let me have
A dram of poison (p.863. L.58-59, 63-65)
And that the trunk may be discharged of breath
As violently as hasty powder fired
Doth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb.
2. Juliet …Oh happy dagger! [Snatches Romeo’s dagger]
This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.
3. Romeo
[about to swallow the poison].
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!
(p.869. L. 169-170)
(p.863. L. 117-118)