Lesson Details

R&J, Act I, scenes ii-iv

2014-2015

Freshman Literature, Fall 2014

Date

Oct. 27, 2014

Additional Info
1. literary term #30: foil
In literature and plays, a foil is a character whose purpose is to be the opposite of another character (usually a protagonist) in order to highlight certain qualities in that character. 
Ex: In a story about Tigger, Eeyore serves as a foil in order to make Tigger seem even more hyper and rambunctious. 
Ex: In Harry Potter, Voldemort serves as a foil to Dumbledore. Voldemort's evil makes Dumbledore seem even more benevolent, good, and kind.


2. Allusion #30: tantalize (v.) tantalizing (adj.)
In modern language, this word means to torment or tease someone with the promise of something great, wonderful, or delicious when that thing is actually not attainable. (The toddler was tantalized by the jar of cookies on top of the refrigerator.) In Greek mythology, Tantalus, a son of Zeus, stole ambrosia and nectar from the gods. In order to be forgiven, he chops up his own son, Pelops, cuts him into pieces, boils him, and offers him to the gods. (Don't worry only his shoulder was eaten, and then he was reassembled and brought back to life.) To punish Tantalus, he was sent to a deep part of Hades. He stood in a pool of water with delicious fruits dangling over his head, just out of his reach. Whenever he bent down to take a drink, the water would recede.

3. Continue reading Act I, scenes ii through iv, beginning on page 796