Literary devices R&J/ Exambooster/ prep test week

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Thursday, October 12th

Programme

- Dagopening

- 15 minutes of silent reading

- Literature: Literary devices Romeo and Juliet

- Choose what to do!

Dagopening: Geluk op bestelling

Read your novel

Literary devices in Romeo and Juliet

Important literary devices:

1. Prose and verse

R&J is mostly written in verse, but prose is also used. Prose is used for more common situations or people (such as the nurse).

* verse = has a set rhythm and structure

* prose = conversational way of speaking (no rhythm)

2. Antithesis (oxymoron)

In Romeo’s ‘Banished’ speech in Act 3 Scene 3, he uses antithesis to describe how it feels to be separated from Juliet. ''Tis torture and not mercy’ (Romeo, 3:3) is just one example. Opposites like light and dark and heaven and hell are used a lot in Romeo and Juliet.

3. Dramatic irony

The audience is aware of the fate of the characters, but the characters are unaware of the implications of the meanings.

The best example can be found in the prologue.

Other examples:

Act 1, scene 4:
Before Romeo meets Juliet at the ball, for example, he says his ‘mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars'.

Act 3 scene 5:

Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, / As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.

4. Soliloquy 

A monologue that gives an insight into the character's inner feelings. It is delivered when the character is alone on stage.

Romeo:

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.”

5. Allegory (and why it's different from metaphor)

An allergory acts as a symbol, usually has a hidden meaning and makes a reference to religion, morality or politics.

Examples:
'For saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch'
'Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized'

They both refer to...?

6. Blank verse

A type of poetry that does not have a rhyme scheme, but has a regular meter: rhythm!

Usually in iambic pentameter (remember the 10 syllables, 5 stressed ones, similar to the Shakespearean sonnet)

Let's read p. 58/ 59 in your reader for more information about literary devices and important themes and ideas in the play.

sites.google.com

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Choose what to do

- Use your reader and/ or the websites to prepare for testweek 1.

- Go to the ExamBooster on the Magister SW to practise your C1 Advanced skills.

- Read your novel!

Deadline is Monday, October 23rd.

Next time

- Make sure you've finished reading your first novel

- Bring your novel, device and earphones to class.

But first ...