Romeo and Juliet Quiz

“Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

1. Personification occurs when an inanimate object or concept is given the qualities of a person or animal. Read the following quote by Juliet— “For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night / Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back. / Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow’d night” (Act III Sc. 2). How is this quote an example of personification? What inanimate object is being given the qualities of a human or animal?

2. An oxymoron describes when two juxtaposed words have opposing or very diverse meanings.

Read the following quote from Juliet – “Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!” (Act III, Scene 2). How is this quote an example of an oxymoron? What words with diverse meanings are being compared?

3. Foreshadowing is a reference to something that will happen later in the story. Read the following quote from Juliet:

“Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.” (Act III Sc. 2)

How is this quote an example of foreshadowing as it pertains to Romeo and Juliet? Explain.

4. A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things. Read the following quote from Romeo, “Juliet is the sun.” What is being compared? What is Romeo trying to say about Juliet?

5. Describe the meanings of the terms “protagonist” and “antagonist.” Who is the main protagonist of Romeo and Juliet? Who is the main antagonist of Romeo and Juliet? Why? Explain.