Question

What are the two examples of hyperbole in act 3 of “Romeo and Juliet”?

Answer 1

Hint:
- Hyperbole is a figure of speech derived from the Greek word hyperbole, which means "excess."
- Hyperbole is the use of excessive exaggeration to make a point or emphasise anything.
- Hyperbole is often used in literature to demonstrate contrast or grab the reader's attention.

Complete answer:
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses excessive exaggeration to make a point or display emphasis. It comes from the Greek word hyperbole, which means "excess." It's the polar opposite of modesty. They're not metaphors or similes, but extravagant and even absurd exaggerations that aren't supposed to be taken literally. Hyperbole is often used in literature to display contrast or attract the reader's attention.

It's all there at the start of Act 3 when Mercutio and Benvolio are simply loitering around waiting for the play to end.

The hyperbole can be found in Mercutio's brief monologue:
"Thou art like one of those fellows that when he
enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword
upon the table and says 'God send me no need of
thee!' and by the operation of the second cup draws
it on the drawer, when indeed there is no need."

And then:
"Nay, an there were two such, we should have none
shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! why,
thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more,
or a hairless, in his beard, then thou hast: thou
wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no
other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: what
eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel?
Thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full of
meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as
an egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with a
man for coughing in the street, because he hath
wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun:
didst thou does not fall out with a tailor for wearing
his new doublet before Easter? with another, for
tying his new shoes with old riband? and yet thou
wilt tutor me from quarrelling!"
These are two excellent hyperbole examples. Based on what we know about Benvolio so far, we can conclude that he is as gentle as a lamb. He goes for morning walks, looks after his relatives, mediate conflicts and is generally concerned about his friends' well-being.

Mercutio is exaggerating the reality in these monologues, maybe even mocking Benvolio by speaking of actions that Mercutio himself might engage in — kind of like a prank "Mercutio, don't fight!" they say, and Mercutio responds, "Me? FIGHT? You're the one who fights all the time!". Depending on how you interpret it, it's pure sarcasm.

That, however, is beside the point. Mercutio's descriptions of action in these monologues are clearly exaggerated. The temper he mentions is out of control, and only someone like Tybalt may possess it.

Note: In daily life, hyperbole is one of the most commonly known and used types of figurative expression. It's widely used in both advertisement and entertainment. Hyperbole is used by advertisers to exaggerate the advantages of goods in order to increase sales. In public relations, repetitive hyperbole is used to boost a person's or a product's popularity. It's also used in propaganda, which has tarnished its image.