Question

How does Shakespeare use literary devices in Juliet’s soliloquy to convey her feelings and frame of mind? In the space below, write a response of no less than 150 words discussing at least three examples of literary devices you find. Define each one, and explain how it contributes to the mood conveyed by her speech. Be sure to include specific lines of text as support for your analysis.
JULIET The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;
In half an hour she promised to return.
Perchance she cannot meet him: that's not so.
O, she is lame! love's heralds should be thoughts,
Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams,
Driving back shadows over louring hills:
Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love,
And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings.
Now is the sun upon the highmost hill
Of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve 10
Is three long hours, yet she is not come.
Had she affections and warm youthful blood,
She would be as swift in motion as a ball;
My words would bandy her to my sweet love,
And his to me:
But old folks, many feign as they were dead;
Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.
O God, she comes!

Answer 1

Literary device is anomatomepia

Answer 2

Some of the literary devices that Shakespeare uses in this passage would be:

Simile: "as swift in motion as a ball"

This is used in order to convey an image of very swift, quick movement. This conveys the idea of desperation, as Juliet cannot wait for the nurse to return.

Allusion: "And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings."

In these line, Shakespeare makes an allusion to Cupid, a creature from Greek mythology, often associated with love. This highlights the feelings of love that Juliet is experiencing.

Metaphor: "Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love,"

In this line, Juliet compares the nurse (who is acting as a messenger), and all other messenger that carry a message of love with doves, as they are also known to carry messages.