Download Figurative Language and Word Choice in Romeo and - En-c

Figurative Language and Word Choice in Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene 5
Shakespeare’s version
Translation
Romeo: Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear,
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Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand.
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Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Romeo: Oh, she shows the torches how to burn bright! She stands out
against the darkness like a jeweled earring hanging against the cheek
of an African. Her beauty is too good for this world; she's too
beautiful to die and be buried. She outshines the other women like a
white dove in the middle of a flock of crows. When this dance is over,
I'll see where she stands, and then I'll touch her hand with my rough
and ugly one. Did my heart ever love anyone before this moment? My
eyes were liars, then, because I never saw true beauty before tonight.
1. Why does Romeo say that Juliet teaches the torches to burn bright?
a. To emphasize that the room is too brightly lit.
b. To say that she is so beautiful that she outshines the lights.
c. To say that they room is too dark and he cannot see her well enough.
d. To emphasize the fact that her skin has a healthy glow.
2. Where is the simile in the first 4 lines (lines 42-45)?
3. In this simile, what two things are being compared?
4. What does Romeo mean when he uses this simile?
5. There’s another simile in lines 46-47. What is Juliet being compared to in this simile?
What are the other women in the room being compared to?
6. Find all of the words in this passage that deal with light or darkness. Why do you think
Romeo uses these images of light and dark?
Shakespeare’s version
Translation
ROMEO
(taking JULIET's hand) If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
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To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
ROMEO
(taking JULIET's hand) Your hand is like a holy place that my hand is
unworthy to visit. If you're offended by the touch of my hand, my two
lips are standing here like blushing pilgrims, ready to make things
better with a kiss.
7. What is Romeo comparing his lips to?
8. What kind of figurative language is this?
9. What is the effect of this figurative language?