Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary

Vocabulary and literary terms from the Romeo and Juliet lecture notes, including definitions and literary devices.

Adversary Noun

Oneʻs opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.

Chaste adjective

Abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse. Virgin.

Demeanor noun

outward behavior or bearing. Manner, attitude, appearance.

Enmity noun

The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

Forlorn adjective

Pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.

Impetuous adjective

Acting or done quickly and without thought or care.

fickle adjective

changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection.

Portentous adjective

a warning or sign suggesting something bad is about to happen.

Reconcile verb

restore friendly relations between people, repair.

Mutiny noun

an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.

Soliloquy noun

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.

Aside noun

A remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play.

Foreshadowing noun

be a warning or indication of (a future event)

Oxymoron noun

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true)