Romeo and Juliet: language

Understanding Shakespeare’s Language

Shakespeare’s Early Modern English: Crucial to grasp the usage and grammar of Elizabethan English. Though initially challenging, it becomes comprehensible with practise.
Iambic Pentameter: A verse form often used by Shakespeare consisting of five pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables, creating a rhythm that brings the text to life.
Prose vs. Verse: Characters in “Romeo and Juliet” speak both in verse (with rhythm and rhyme) and prose (ordinary speech) based on their social status, nobles use verse while commoners use prose.

Figures of Speech and Literary Elements

Figurative Language: Look out for similes, metaphors, and personification used to add vibrancy to the dialogue and often deepen the implication of Shakespeare’s words.
Imagery: There’s a use of vivid images to portray characters’ feelings and mental states, including light/dark imagery, religious imagery, and death/love imagery.
Foreshadowing: Elements of Shakespeare’s language hint at upcoming events in the story, generating suspense and adding complexity to the plot.

Language Techniques and Allusions

Puns and Double Entendre: Shakespeare’s frequent use of wordplay sparks comic relief or highlights crucial plot points, often revealing the characters’ quick wit and giving a deeper understanding of the dialogue.
Oxymorons: Contradictions often used by Shakespeare to depict characters’ conflicting and confusing emotions.
Soliloquy: Characters express their inner thoughts out loud when alone, providing essential insights into their motivations and emotions.
Classical Allusions: References to mythology and ancient history are common in Shakespeare’s work; recognising these can provide a deeper understanding of the text.

Key Note: Be sure to not only identify these elements but also analyse their impact on the characters, plot, and overall understanding of the themes in Romeo and Juliet.