Question

study guide
part 1: identifying figurative language
read the following lines from romeo and juliet and identify the type of figurative language used. choose from metaphor, simile, hyperbole, alliteration, oxymoron, and personification.

1. \a dog of the house of montague moves me.\ – act 1, scene 1 (sampson)
2. \what, drawn, and talk of peace! i hate the word / as i hate hell, all montagues, and thee.\ – act 1, scene 1 (tybalt)
3. \ill look to like, if looking liking move; / but no more deep will i endart mine eye / than your consent gives strength to make it fly.\ – act 1, scene 3 (juliet)
4. \my mind misgives / some consequence yet hanging in the stars.\ – act 1, scene 4 (romeo)
5. \o brawling love, o loving hate, / o anything of nothing first create!\ – act 1, scene 1 (romeo)

part 2: multiple choice
choose the correct answer for each question.

1. in act 1, scene 1, sampson uses a metaphor when he talks about \carrying coals.\ what does this metaphor mean?

a) he is unwilling to tolerate insult or disgrace.
b) he enjoys carrying burdens or heavy loads.
c) he wants to avoid conflict at all costs.
d) he is ready to serve the montagues

Explanation:

Part 1: Identifying Figurative Language

1. "A dog of the house of Montague moves me."

• Explanation: Sampson uses a metaphor, comparing a Montague servant to a dog (implying the servant is lowly, aggressive, or subservient in a negative way).
• Answer: Metaphor

1. "What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee."

• Explanation: Tybalt uses a simile ("As I hate hell") to compare his hatred for the word "peace" to his hatred for hell and Montagues.
• Answer: Simile

1. "I’ll look to like, if looking liking move; / But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly."

• Explanation: Juliet uses a metaphor ("endart mine eye" – implying her eye is an arrow, and "make it fly" – her gaze is like an arrow’s flight) and a simile ("no more deep... Than your consent..."). The metaphorical imagery of the eye as an arrow is central.
• Answer: Metaphor (with simile elements)

1. "My mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars."

• Explanation: Romeo uses personification (consequence "hanging in the stars" – treating fate/consequence as a tangible thing) and a metaphor (stars symbolize fate/destiny).
• Answer: Personification (and Metaphor)

1. "O brawling love, O loving hate, / O anything of nothing first create!"

• Explanation: Romeo uses oxymorons ("brawling love," "loving hate," "anything of nothing" – contradictory terms) to express the conflicted nature of love.
• Answer: Oxymoron

Part 2: Multiple Choice

1. Question: What does Sampson’s metaphor "carrying coals" mean?

• Explanation: In Shakespeare’s time, "carrying coals" was a metaphor for enduring insults (like being called a "coal-bearer," a term for a coward or someone who takes abuse). Sampson’s pride makes him unwilling to tolerate such disgrace.
• Answer: a) He is unwilling to tolerate insult or disgrace.

Answer:

Part 1: Identifying Figurative Language

1. "A dog of the house of Montague moves me."

• Explanation: Sampson uses a metaphor, comparing a Montague servant to a dog (implying the servant is lowly, aggressive, or subservient in a negative way).
• Answer: Metaphor

1. "What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee."

• Explanation: Tybalt uses a simile ("As I hate hell") to compare his hatred for the word "peace" to his hatred for hell and Montagues.
• Answer: Simile

1. "I’ll look to like, if looking liking move; / But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly."

• Explanation: Juliet uses a metaphor ("endart mine eye" – implying her eye is an arrow, and "make it fly" – her gaze is like an arrow’s flight) and a simile ("no more deep... Than your consent..."). The metaphorical imagery of the eye as an arrow is central.
• Answer: Metaphor (with simile elements)

1. "My mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars."

• Explanation: Romeo uses personification (consequence "hanging in the stars" – treating fate/consequence as a tangible thing) and a metaphor (stars symbolize fate/destiny).
• Answer: Personification (and Metaphor)

1. "O brawling love, O loving hate, / O anything of nothing first create!"

• Explanation: Romeo uses oxymorons ("brawling love," "loving hate," "anything of nothing" – contradictory terms) to express the conflicted nature of love.
• Answer: Oxymoron

Part 2: Multiple Choice

1. Question: What does Sampson’s metaphor "carrying coals" mean?

• Explanation: In Shakespeare’s time, "carrying coals" was a metaphor for enduring insults (like being called a "coal-bearer," a term for a coward or someone who takes abuse). Sampson’s pride makes him unwilling to tolerate such disgrace.
• Answer: a) He is unwilling to tolerate insult or disgrace.