Similes

A simile is a comparison between two things prefaced by the word 'like' or 'as'.

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night 
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; 

Romeo describes Juliet as a bright jewel in the night.  The comparison is made between two things that share similar qualities. 

Have a simile hunt through the text- it may be useful to divide the class so that they look at different scenes or acts.  Have them write the similes on post-it notes or pieces of paper which can then be pinned up around the class room.  

Have students moving around the room looking at the similes and writing their comments beneath the similes e.g. what works about it, what they don't understand, how it changes their perception, why they think Shakespeare used it? Then ask students to choose their favourite and explain why they like it.