Romeo and Juliet

How do Romeo and Juliet feel about each other?

Romeo and Juliet express deep and passionate love for each other. They share a tender kiss, and their
dialogue is filled with romantic and poetic language, showcasing the intensity of their emotions.

Text Example:

"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do.

They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

Comment on Shakespeare’s imagery:

Shakespeare employs rich and vivid imagery, especially using religious and pilgrimage metaphors. The
mention of a "holy shrine," "blushing pilgrims," and "holy palmers' kiss" adds a sacred dimension to their
love, enhancing the emotional depth of the scene.

Text Example:

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand.

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:

[Romeo takes Juliet’s hand]"

According to the concept of the “chain of being,” human beings contain both passion and reason.

The concept of the "chain of being" suggests a hierarchical order in the universe, with humans possessing
both passion and reason. In this excerpt, Romeo and Juliet's love represents passionate, impulsive emotions
that challenge societal norms, while the consequences of their love also involve rational considerations.

Text Example:

"Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone.

We have a trifling foolish banquet towards."

Examine the quotation: “Tis but thy name that is my enemy… Take all myself.”

This quotation reflects Juliet's frustration with the societal constraints imposed by names and families. She
expresses a desire to disregard the significance of names, emphasizing the idea that their love is hindered
by the feud between their families.

Text Example:

“Tis but thy name that is my enemy.

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face. O, be some other name.

Belonging to a man.”

Characterize the language of the excerpts:

The language is poetic, passionate, and filled with metaphors. The dialogue between Romeo and Juliet is
elevated and romantic, using vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the intensity of their emotions.

Text Example:

"You kiss by th' book."

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 3, scene 1.

How can we characterize the language the characters speak here? Is it blank verse? Does it rhyme? Is it
prose? Give examples to back up your characterization.

This is supposed to be funny. Can you point to places where you can see the fun?

Prose Examples:

"Bottom: Are we all met? Quince: Pat, pat. And here's a marvelous convenient place for our rehearsal."

"Bottom: There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please."

"Bottom: Masters, you ought to consider with yourself: to bring in — God shield us — a lion among ladies is
a most dreadful thing..."

Humorous Examples:

Bottom's proposal for the play: "There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never
please. First, Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself, which the ladies cannot abide. How answer you
that?"

Bottom's solution to the lion issue: "Therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion."

Bottom's detailed instructions on the prologue to reassure the audience: "Nay, you must name his name,
and half his face must be seen through the lion's neck, and he himself must speak through, saying thus..."

These examples highlight both the prose nature of the language and the humor arising from the characters'
absurd discussions and earnest attempts to address challenges in their play.