Second Coursework Ideas

I saw 'Romeo and Juliet' at the Nuffield theatre last week, so, as I feel I know the play better, and have seen it acted, I would like to use 'The Meaning of Metaphor' section from the critical anthology and apply it to Mercutio's Queen Mab speech. Obviously, it is full of sexual innuendo's, but the effect of the metaphors used is important in altering the tone and dimension of the play and ultimately defining Mercutio's character. He twists all his comments about love into sexual metaphors and I would like to examine the importance of this. In the critical anthology it says how metaphor is important because of its functions - explaining, clarifying, describing, expressing, evaluating and entertaining. I will discuss if the metaphors used are effective in these functions, or whether or not Shakespeare goes too far. I would also like to briefly refer to the symbolism and allegory section as the whole of the speech is a symbol and allegory surrounding sex and love. I shall also consider these different aspects in relation to the acting and how it could be presented on stage.