Romeo And Juliet
Terms
1. Sonnet: See Sonnet Notes.
2. Blank Verse: Most of Shakespeare’s plays are written in blank verse which is simply iambic pentameter
without a rhyme scheme.
3. Pun: A pun is a play on words that have a similar sound or are the same, but with different meanings. Ex:
“We’ll not carry coals” (Act 1.1.1).
4. Oxymoron: A statement or phrase conveying two contradictory ideas. Ex: “ O loving hate” (Act 1.1. 167).
5. Chorus: In this play, group of performers who introduce the play via the prologue.
6. Maskers: The masked party-goers at the Capulet feast.
7. Aside: A remark or piece of dialogue that is meant for the audience to hear, but not the other performers on
stage.
8. Soliloquy: A soliloquy consists of the innermost thoughts or considerations of a character delivered by a
single performer and directed to the audience.
9. Monologue: A monologue is a lengthy delivery of lines by one character/performer in a play.
10. Dramatic foil: A dramatic foil is a character in a play whose personality and actions serve to highlight
another character’s qualities.
11. Tragedy: A tragedy is a drama where the central character(s) loses in the conflict and suffers disaster or
death. This is usually because of the character’s tragic flaw. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy which also consists
of many comedic elements.
12. Tragic flaw: A tragic flaw is a specific problematic character trait that causes the downfall of the main
character (hero/protagonist) in a drama.
13. Comedy: A comedy is a drama where the conflict in the story is overcome and resolved to the general
satisfaction and happiness of all.
14. Irony: There are three main types of irony.
a) Verbal irony: This type of irony is when there is a difference between what is said and what is meant.
b) Dramatic irony: This type of irony is when the reader knows some information that the characters do
not know.
c) Situational irony: This type of irony is when there is a contrast between what one expects to happen
and what ends up happening.