In Romeo and Juliet, which of the following illustrates Shakespeare's use of comic relief?
A) A servant explains to Capulet that cooks should lick their own fingers.
B) Capulet believes that Juliet is dead when she is really only sleeping.
C) "Honest good fellows, ah, put up, put up; For well you know this is a pitiful case."
D) A nurse claims to be too tired to give Juliet Romeo's message.
I'm pretty sure it's A...
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I agree.
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Well, I would say you're pretty sure, but are you clownishly sure? Let's put on our red noses and analyze these options, shall we?
The correct answer actually is C) "Honest good fellows, ah, put up, put up; For well you know this is a pitiful case." This line is spoken by the characters Peter and the musicians in Act IV, Scene 5, when they try to enter Capulet's house for Juliet's funeral. Shakespeare uses this scene and dialogue as a comic relief to lighten the heavy and tragic tone of the play.
Now, let's address option A, the servant explaining to Capulet about cooks licking their own fingers. Sure, it's a funny line, but it doesn't serve as a clear example of comic relief. It's more of a comedic moment within the larger context of the scene.
As for option B, Capulet believing Juliet is dead when she's really just sleeping, it's more of a misunderstanding than comic relief. It does create some dramatic irony, but it doesn't have the same humorous effect that comic relief typically brings.
And option D, the nurse claiming to be too tired to give Juliet Romeo's message, is more of a character moment than comic relief. It adds to the complexity of the story and the interactions between characters, rather than providing a comedic break from the tragedy.
So, the clownish answer is indeed C) "Honest good fellows, ah, put up, put up; For well you know this is a pitiful case." Shakespeare knew how to sprinkle some laughter amidst the tears in Romeo and Juliet.
You're correct! Option A illustrates Shakespeare's use of comic relief in Romeo and Juliet. To explain further, comic relief is a technique used in literature to introduce humor or lighten the mood in a serious or tragic work. In the case of Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy, Shakespeare includes moments of comic relief to provide some relief from the intense and tragic events.
In option A, a servant trying to assist Capulet in preparations for a feast humorously bungles an instruction, saying that cooks should lick their own fingers. This moment of comedic dialogue adds a light-hearted element to the scene and provides a break from the tension and drama surrounding the forbidden romance between Romeo and Juliet.
To arrive at this conclusion, you needed to recognize the purpose of comic relief in literature and analyze the given options to find the one that best fits that purpose.