Explain the Significance of Quotations
Your answer must address two types of information: who said it/when and why is it important (i.e. what
literary aspect(s) does it develop)? Use the back if need be.
1.
If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep,
My dreams presage some joyful news at hand.
My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne,
And all this day an unaccustomed spirit
Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts
Romeo (who) said the passage on his 1st full day in Mantua.(when)
The passage develops Romeo’s character because he is oblivious to reality (specifying the character trait).
He believes that his dream will come true when all of the indications are that it will not: Juliet is in a different
town, they can’t tell their families they’re married and he is hated by the Capulets. (proving the character
trait).
His oblivious character is important because it helps to establish the thematic idea that to
overcome life’s obstacles people must do more than live on wishful thinking and rash action. Romeo
incorrectly figures that having had a good dream signifies that things will now work out. (proving the thematic
idea).
The passage also develops irony (specifying the stylistic feature) because we know Juliet is already
planning her own death and he will find out too late.(proving the stylistic feature)
The irony is important
because it foreshadows the upcoming bad turn (specifying an allowable plot feature): Romeo had a good
sleep at night and thought his day would be good too, but we know that night and day are opposite.(proving
the plot feature)
2.
Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again.
Romeo (who) said the passage before he drank the poison. .(when)
The passage develops his character as
a passionate man because he is willing to sacrifice his life for Juliet by “never …depart[ing]”. (specifying and
proving the character trait)
His passion is important because it creates conflict. (specifying the
allowable plot feature) We know Juliet is not dead and will awaken, and she will have to go through the
same torments he does.(proving the plot feature)
The passage also develops setting of despair. He refers to the monster that keeps her in the tomb and he
says he’ll stay there with her forever which suggest that he is hopeless and helpless (proving the setting
feature).
The setting is important because it brings closure to the day/night imagery: while alive they
could only be together in the time between night and day but now they can be together forever since there’s
no longer a cycle of night and day in the tomb. (specifying and proving the stylistic feature)