Connecting Figurative
Language to Responsibility for
the Tragedy
Romeo and Juliet for English 9
Connecting Figurative Language to
Responsibility for the Tragedy
Remember our overall claim about Romeo and
Juliet--that the responsibility for the tragedy lies
somewhere. You’ve chosen to prove that one
of these bears the most responsibility:
• fate/chance
• Romeo and Juliet themselves
• the adults in the play
Metaphor, Simile, Personification, Irony
Review of definitions:
Metaphor:
Simile:
Personification:
Irony:
Passage 1
Lady Capulet to Juliet:
"This precious book of love, this unbound lover,
To beautify him, only lacks a cover" (1.3.94)
What is she talking about?
Passage 1
Lady Capulet: "This precious book of love, this unbound lover,
To beautify him, only lacks a cover" (1.3.94)
What is she talking about?
Lady Capulet explains to Juliet that Paris would make a worthy
husband because he is a "precious book of love", and that he is
only missing a cover (Juliet would be the "cover").
How does this play into Lady Capulet’s
responsibility for the tragedy?
One possible answer:
She is pushing Juliet toward marriage with Paris, whom
Juliet doesn’t know and hasn’t even seen yet. By
pressuring her, Lady Capulet is creating a situation where
Juliet will feel she has to take drastic steps to escape this
pressure.
Passage 2
Romeo:
"But, soft! what light through yonder window
breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun "(2.2.2-3)
What is he talking about?
Passage 2
Romeo: "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun "(2.2.2-3)
What is he talking about?
Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, saying that even though it is dark
outside, her beauty shines brightly. He’s drawn to her even though
their families are at war.
Passage 3
Juliet (to her mother):
"No, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries
As are behoveful for our state to-morrow" (4.3.7-8)
What is she talking about?
Passage 3
Juliet (to her mother): "No, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries
As are behoveful for our state to-morrow" (4.3.7-8)
What is she talking about?
Juliet is telling her mother that she has gathered everything she needs for
tomorrow. She isn’t being truthful with her mother; she’s making it sound as if
she’s ready to marry Paris, but really she’s gotten everything ready to take the
potion that will make her appear dead.
Passage 4
Romeo: “Now I have stained the childhood of our joy”
(3.3.103)
What is he talking about?
Passage 4
Romeo: “Now I have stained the childhood of our joy”
(3.3.103)
What is he talking about?
Romeo is desperately regretting killing Tybalt, because
Tybalt was Juliet’s cousin. He’s saying that their
relationship is new, only in its childhood, and he’s stained it
with the blood of Tybalt.
Passage 5
Friar Lawrence: "These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
which as they kiss consume" (2.6.9-10)
What is Friar Lawrence talking about?
Passage 5
Friar Lawrence: "These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
which as they kiss consume" (2.6.11)
What is Friar Lawrence talking about?
Friar Lawrence says that Romeo and Juliet's sudden love is
not going to end well.