Page 24 - Year 9

English Literature : The study of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet’: 3 of 3

Key Vocabulary - 'Romeo & Juliet' A Model of a

Non-negotiables student's analytical paragraph.

1 Audience A group of people that are watching, reading or listening to you. Shakespeare portrays Romeo and Juliet’s

2 Blank verse Un-rhymed lines of poetry. initial meeting as romantic in a shared
sonnet, a traditional love poem. This

3 Couplet Two lines of poetry that come next to each other, usually rhyming. illustrates, at first, Romeo’s inclination to
courtly, hyperbolic love but, later, elevates
4 Dramatic Irony When the audience knows something before the characters. their love and presents it as pure.

5 Symbolism The use of a sign, shape or object to represent something Shakespeare breaks traditional
conventions of the sonnet by sharing lines
An important idea that runs throughout a film, play or piece of
6 Theme between the couple, which alludes to
writing.
equality, as well as symbolising the
Grow your vocabulary
couple’s rebellious, defiant love against
7 Conflict A serious disagreement or argument about something. their families’ wishes. The audience is
presented with an ostensibly light-hearted
A family or system where men are the most important and
8 Patriarchal love scene, but Shakespeare hints — even
powerful.
9 Adversary Someone you are competing, fighting or arguing against. in this first meeting — that their union
may spell danger for the two lovers. An
10 Circumstance A situation or events which affects what happens. audience would be aware that their
language and union break the conventions
11 Dishonour Behaving in a way that damages someone’s good reputation.
of the time.
12 Hierarchy People organised into different levels according to importance.

A power that decides everything that happens and cannot be
13 Fate
changed.
14 Consequence The results or effects of something.