Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet captures the iconic balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet express their love for each other despite their feuding families. This pivotal moment highlights themes of love, identity, and the conflict between personal desire and social expectations. Romeo's passionate declarations and Juliet's cautious yet fervent responses showcase the intensity of their emotions. The scene serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative, illustrating the challenges faced by the star-crossed lovers. This analysis is ideal for students studying Shakespeare's works and exploring themes of romance and tragedy.

Key Points

  • Explores the famous balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet declare their love.
  • Highlights key themes of love, identity, and family conflict in the play.
  • Examines character development and emotional intensity in their dialogue.
  • Analyzes the impact of societal expectations on personal relationships.
newtopiccyclegrowin
5 pages
Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
5 pages
Literature
397
/ 5
Act 2, Scene 2 Capulet's orchard
(ROMEO.)
ROMEO
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
But soft. What light through yonder window breaks?
(JULIET enters above.) It is my lady. O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses;* I will answer it.
I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek.
JULIET
Ay me.
ROMEO
She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel!
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet.
ROMEO
(Aside.) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
JULIET
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man.
O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
retain that dear perfection which he owns without that title.
Romeo, doff* thy name; and for that name, which is no part of thee, take all myself.
ROMEO
I take thee at thy word! Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized!
JULIET
What man art thou that thus bescreened in night so stumblest on my counsel?
ROMEO
By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, because it is an enemy to thee.
Had I it written, I would tear the word.
discourses - communicates, doff - take off
© Shakespeare Out Loud INC.
www.shakespeareoutloud.ca
23
JULIET
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?
ROMEO
Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike.
JULIET
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
and the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here.
ROMEO
With love's light wings did I over-perch* these walls;
for stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do, that dares love attempt.
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
JULIET
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
ROMEO
I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes; and but thou love me, let them find me here.
My life were better ended by their hate than death prolonged, wanting of thy love.
JULIET
Dost thou love me?
I know thou wilt say 'Ay;' and I will take thy word.
Yet if thou swearest, thou mayest prove false. At lovers' perjuries* they say Jove* laughs.
O gentle Romeo, if thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay.
ROMEO
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear–
JULIET
O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circled orb,
lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
ROMEO
What shall I swear by?
JULIET
Do not swear at all.
Although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to night. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
too like the lightning, which doth cease to be ere* one can say, 'It lightens.'
Sweet, good night.
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
over-perch - fly over perjuries - lies, Jove - God, ere - before
© Shakespeare Out Loud INC.
www.shakespeareoutloud.ca
24
ROMEO
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
JULIET
What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?
ROMEO
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
JULIET
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it;
and yet I would it were to give again.
ROMEO
Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose love?
JULIET
But to give it to thee again.
My bounty* is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep;
the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.
NURSE
Juliet?
JULIET
I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu!
Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.
(Exit JULIET above.)
ROMEO
O blessed, blessed night!
I am afeard, being in night, all this is but a dream.
(Re enter JULIET above.)
JULIET
Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent* of love be honorable, thy purpose marriage,
send me word tomorrow, by one that I'll procure* to come to thee,
where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;
and all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world.
NURSE
(Within.) Madam?
bounty - wish to give (love), bent - purpose, procure - cause
© Shakespeare Out Loud INC.
www.shakespeareoutloud.ca
25
/ 5
End of Document
397

You May Also Like

FAQs

What is the significance of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet?
The balcony scene in Act 2, Scene 2 is one of the most famous moments in Romeo and Juliet, symbolizing the deep love and connection between the two characters despite their families' feud. It showcases their willingness to defy social norms and familial loyalty for the sake of their love. This scene also highlights the theme of youthful passion, as both characters express their feelings with fervor and idealism. Additionally, it sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, emphasizing the conflict between love and societal expectations.
How do Romeo and Juliet express their feelings for each other in this scene?
In Act 2, Scene 2, Romeo and Juliet express their feelings through poetic language and metaphors, illustrating the depth of their love. Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, emphasizing her beauty and brightness in his life. Juliet, in turn, questions the importance of names, suggesting that their identities as Montague and Capulet should not matter in the face of their love. Their dialogue is filled with longing and urgency, reflecting the intensity of their emotions and the risks they are willing to take for one another.
What themes are prevalent in Act 2, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet?
Several themes are prevalent in Act 2, Scene 2, including love versus hate, the conflict between individual desire and social obligation, and the fleeting nature of youth. The passionate exchanges between Romeo and Juliet highlight the power of love to transcend familial conflict, while also foreshadowing the tragic consequences of their forbidden relationship. Additionally, the scene explores the theme of identity, as Juliet grapples with the implications of her family's name and its impact on her love for Romeo.
What literary devices are used in the balcony scene?
Shakespeare employs various literary devices in the balcony scene, including metaphor, simile, and personification. Romeo's comparison of Juliet to the sun is a powerful metaphor that conveys her beauty and significance in his life. The use of similes, such as describing her eyes as stars, enhances the romantic imagery. Additionally, the dialogue is rich with personification, as they attribute human qualities to concepts like love and fate. These devices not only enhance the emotional impact of the scene but also contribute to its lyrical quality.

Related