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Lesson Details
R&J: Act I, scene v
2014-2015
Freshman Literature, Fall 2014
Date
Oct. 28, 2014
Additional Info
1. Literary Term #31: conceit
In poetry, a conceit is an extended metaphor. A conceit relies on comparing two things that are vastly different and uses this comparison to make us aware of some connection between those things. Because a conceit relies on comparing two very different things, it allows us to views those objects in a different, more enlightened way.
Ex: The sonnet when Romeo meets Juliet (to be read today)
2. Allusion #31: micawber
A "micawber" is a person who is poor but always holds out optimistic hope for a better future; someone who never lets misfortunes get him down. This word is a direct allusion to a character in a novel by Charles Dickens, David Copperfield. He is known for saying "Something will turn up" whenever he experiences a setback in his life.
Ex: "She just got laid off for the third time this year. I don't know how that micawber does it, but she never seems to let it get to her."
3. Read Act I, scene v
4. In your row, please respond to the following questions about the sonnet when Romeo and Juliet meet (I.v.93-106).
- What is a pilgrim? What is a pilgrimage?
- In this conceit, who is the pilgrim?
- In this conceit, who is the holy saint?
- What might this comparison and these roles they've given each other say about the nature of Romeo and Juliet's relationship?
- There is an extra quatrain added to the sonnet (lines 107-110). Explain the wordplay here. How are Romeo and Juliet flirting with each other here?
- Line 110 is a very important one for characterizing Juliet. She steps out of the flowery metaphor and comes back to reality. What might this say about how she differs from Romeo?