Romeo and Juliet 1.1 Word Nerd: "canker"

The transcript discusses the etymology of the word 'cancer', tracing it back to an ulcerous disease that erodes healthy tissue. It then explores how Shakespeare used the term 'canker' metaphorically in two ways: to describe rust on swords, likened to a malignant skin disease, and to depict the destructive hatred between feuding families, which corrupts society like cancer affects surrounding tissue.

What modern word is derived from the concept of a disease that eats away at healthy tissue?

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In what two metaphorical senses does Shakespeare use the term 'canker'?

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How does Shakespeare describe the rust on old swords in relation to disease?

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What does Shakespeare compare the feuding family's hatred to?

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In what way does cancer affect surrounding society according to the text?

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