Skip to main content

What are some literacy devices that describe Lord Capulet's speech in Romeo and Juliet?

When Lord Capulet speaks with the County Paris, he uses synecdoche as well as metaphorwhen he says, "Let two more summers wither in their pride / Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride" (1.2.10-11). Lord Capulet means that he wants to let two more years pass before Juliet marries, but he figuratively uses summers to stand in for years. Further, he compares the summers themselves to something living, something that could "wither,"...

When Lord Capulet speaks with the County Paris, he uses synecdoche as well as metaphor when he says, "Let two more summers wither in their pride / Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride" (1.2.10-11). Lord Capulet means that he wants to let two more years pass before Juliet marries, but he figuratively uses summers to stand in for years. Further, he compares the summers themselves to something living, something that could "wither," like a flower.


Lord Capulet also uses personification when he says, "Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she" (1.2.14). Such a line gives the earth the ability to perform a human action.


Lord Capulet uses metaphor again when he tells Paris that, at his party tonight, Paris will see "Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light" (1.2.25). He means that Paris will see beautiful women, who shine like stars but walk on the earth, lighting heaven from below. He thinks, perhaps, that Paris might change his mind about Juliet and prefer another woman if he gives himself a chance to look around.


Lord Capulet uses personification again when he says, "Such comfort as do lusty young men feel / When well-appareled April on the heel / Of limping winter treads. Even such delight / Among fresh fennel buds shall you this night / Inherit at my house" (1.2.26-30).  He gives April and winter the ability to tread and limp, respectively.  He also uses a metaphor, comparing "fresh fennel buds" to pretty young women.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...