romeo & juliet final - notes

vocab covering shakespeare, literary devices, and brain info for romeo & juliet final

Shakespearean sonnets

poems with specific rules including iambic pentameter, 14 lines, and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG

soliloquy

a long speech delivered by an actor alone on stage to share their thoughts with the audience

aside

a quick comment that is thrown out to the audience or a comment that is directed at a select group of other characters

paradox

a statement that seems to contradict itself but in fact has truth to it

oxymoron

a combination of 2 words that contradict each other

double entendre

a phrase that has multiple meanings; one is sexual in nature

pun

using words that have multiple meanings or words that sound very alike

extended metaphor

a series of metaphors (or other figurative devices) that all deal with the same subject

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something that the characters on stage do not

amygdala

part of the brain that evaluates threats and is the first to process stimuli, influencing reactions like overreactions or mood swings

pre-frontal cortex

part of the brain that accesses all parts of the brain, makes logical decisions

dopamine/serotonin

chemicals in the brain that contribute to happiness and can lead to imbalances causing disorders like depression

norepinephrine/adrenaline

hormones that play a role in how you react, part of your “fight-or-flight” response

phenethylamine (PEA)

natural amphetamine, releases dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin

oxytocin

a bonding chemical that creates feelings of connection and safety, released through physical contact like kissing