Romeo and Juliet matching exercise In Shakespeares time, women characters were played by men or boys (THIS IS DISCUSSING

CONTEXT). This has implications for the presentation of Juliet during Shakespeares era; possibly the audience might have found some of the sexual references in the play quite funny as a result of this. Will you leave me so unsatisfied? What satisfaction can thou hast tonight? Explanation Romeo questions Juliet as to whether she can leave him so Analysis unsatisfied. Its not very clear as to what he means by being Links unsatisfied. He could possibly be talking about finding sexual satisfaction with her. There could be real humour here if Juliet was played by a boy. Similarly, Juliets shocked response could be funny if spoken by a man.

Point

Evidence

Point

Shakespeare uses alliteration (repeated letter sounds) in order to make his characters emphasize key words and ideas. His presentation of Romeo as being utterly in love is not only emphasized in the meaning of the lines, but also his use of alliteration. The repeated letter sound l creates a definite effect. With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out,

Evidence

Explanation Romeo alliterates the letter l in order to highlight and draw attention Analysis to his love for Juliet. The repetition of this consonant creates a hard Links sound and a strong rhythm or beat in the line. Romeo suggests that because hes in love he has light wings which cant limit his love; the alliteration suggests the power and strength of his love which cant be limited or held back.

Point

Shakespeare uses assonance (repeated vowel sounds) in order to make his characters emphasize key words, ideas and feelings. Juliet is concerned that Romeo will think shes too easily won over, and deploys assonance to stress the strength of her feelings. But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange.

Evidence

Explanation The repeated vowel sound of oo as in prove and true draws Analysis attention to the power of Juliets feelings for Romeo. This is a classic Links example of assonance (a repeated vowel sound) underlining a key idea: Juliet aims to show Romeo that she will more faithful than girls who play hard to get, who are more cunning to be strange.

Point

Shakespeare presents the lovers as listening very carefully to each other by using the imagery (word pictures) that the other lover has discussed. This happens a great deal in the scene, but it is particularly striking towards the end of the scene when they talk about being birds. ROMEO I would I were thy bird. JULIET Sweet, so would I: Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Evidence

Explanation Romeo says that he wishes he was Juliets bird after she has said that Analysis she feels like the owner of a bird who has it tied on a string and is Links always pulling back to her. Juliet responds by saying that she wishes he was her bird too but then realises that she would crush him to death with too much hugging and kissing. This is an example the playful way the lovers use imagery to explore their feelings for each other. There is humour in the imagery, but also a sense of violent passion.

Point

Shakespeare uses similes (a comparison using like or as) to conjure and create powerful images. One of the most powerful similes Juliet uses is when she describes her love for Romeo. She is presented as being deeply in love in these lines. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.

Evidence

Explanation Juliet says that her bounty, the treasure of her love, is as boundless Analysis as the sea. This simile suggests that her love will go on forever, that it Links is of the same size as the sea. Shes presented as being incredibly passionate here.

Point

Shakespeare uses metaphors (direct comparisons) to make the audience think about the problems the characters are facing. One of the most thought-provoking metaphors Juliet uses is when she explains to Romeo that they need to take their time and not rush into a love affair straight away. She does this by saying that their love is a currently a bud that will grow into a flower if they give themselves time.

Evidence

This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

Explanation Juliet compares the love that she and Romeo feel to being a bud Analysis which may prove a beauteous flower if they give their love affair time. Links The metaphor makes the audience realise that theyve only just met that they are very much in the spring-time of their love; they possibly need summers ripening breath to make it more mature. This extended metaphor makes us think about the sudden nature of their passion and how its overwhelmed them so quickly.

Point

Shakespeare uses repetition to powerful effect in this scene. This particularly evident when Juliet is talking about Romeo being a Montague. She repeats not only the noun name but also Romeos name a number of times.

Evidence

O, be some other name! What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name which is no part of thee Take all myself. Explanation The repetition of the word name in this speech makes the audience Analysis think about the ways in which our names can brand us as being from Links certain cultural backgrounds and yet wed be the same with a different name or no name at all. The repetition of the word and of Romeos name has a powerful effect; it forces to realise how ridiculous the feud is between the families.

Point

Shakespeare uses

personification (turning an object

into person) to reveal his sense of awe of Juliet in this scene. He

personifies the sun as being Juliet and then speaks to the sun as if it were his lover. 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:

Evidence

Explanation By commanding the sun to arise or get up, Romeo is actually asking Analysis Juliet to come out onto the balcony because he has personified the Links sun as being her. He is standing in the darkness waiting for her to appear. He then personifies the moon as being a woman is very jealous that the sun is more beautiful than she is. In such a way, he uses personification to show that he feels that Juliet is as powerful and beautiful as the sun, and that she is the source of light and life for him. This use of personification is complicated and thought-provoking.