| Benvolio Act 1 Scene 1 pg. 59″underneath the grove of sycamore”PUN | sycamorea tree frequently associated with the unfortunate in lovepunning on sick-amore (love sick) |
| Romeo Act 1 Scene 4 pg. 91″You have dancing shoes With nimble soles. I have a soul of lead So stakes me to the ground I cannot move”PUN | The pun is on thee words “soles” and “soul,” for Romeo says that Mercutio is carefree and able to dance while Romeo is not. He feels dragged down by his broken heart and lovesickness by saying his spirit is as heavy as lead. |
| Mercutio Act 1 Scene 4 pg. 93″If thou art dun, we’ll draw thee from the mire”PUN | This pun is referring to the historic game “Dun the Horse.” The game consisted of pulling a log out of mud, so Mercutio is saying that if Romeo is truly “done” from his lovesickness, then he has sunk into a “mire,” which also means a poor state of mind. Therefore, Mercutio is stating that if Romeo is really done with how he feels, then they will pull him out of the “dun,” or mud |
| Mercutio Act 1 Scene 4 pg. 95″Dreamers often lie”PUN | This pun has a double meaning on the word “lie.” Mercutio is referring to when people dream they are typically lying down in bed sleeping. However, Mercutio is also saying that dreams aren’t telling the truth, they are just a figment of one’s imagination. |
| Queen Mab | her dreams bring out the worst in people; greed, violence, and lust. Mercutio claimed that Queen Mab rides over people’s noses while they are sleeping and extracts their deepest desires and wildest fantasies |
| Romeo Act 1 Scene 4 pg. 99″Some consequence yet hanging in the starsShall bitterly begin his fearful dateWith this night’s revels, and expire the termOf a despisèd life closed in my breastBy some vile forfeit of untimely death.”FORESHADOWING | foreshadows that Romeo will meet Juliet, they will fall in love, and it will cause his death at such a young age (killing themselves for each other) |
| Romeo Act 1 Scene 5 pg. 105″Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” | compares Juliet to light, teaches-> teaches his feelings to love her. Romeo=infatuation vs love, feelings are fickle |
| Romeo Act 1 Scene 5 pg. 105″It seems she hangs upon the cheek of nightLike a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear,” | compares/sees Juliet as a JEWEL->shiny, bright, precious, rare |
| Tybalt Act 1 Scene 5 pg.”I will withdraw, but this intrusion shallNow seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.”FORESHADOWING | =I’ll leave here now, but Romeo’s prank, which seems so sweet to him now, will turn bitter to him later.foreshadowing something bad Tybalt will do to Romeo-threatening |
Romeo and Juliet Act I
August 13, 2019