The Mood of the Balcony Scene in Act Ii, Scene Ii of Romeo and Juliet Can Best Be Described as

February 17, 2022 Post a Comment

Jule Romans is the author of "Take Advice from Shakespeare" and other books. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of educational activity.

Understand the Balcony Scene in Romeo and Juliet

The famous balustrade scene in Romeo and Juliet occurs in act two, scene two of Shakespeare's well-known play. Inside the balcony scene at that place are several very important events that take place. Each one builds the intensity of the passionate allure betwixt these two iconic lovers.

What Happens in the Balcony Scene of Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo climbs the Capulet family's garden wall, and sees Juliet alone on her balcony. Unaware that Romeo is nearby, Juliet sighs and speaks her feelings of love out loud. Romeo declares himself to Juliet, and she warns him of the danger of being there. Romeo and Juliet swear their true honey to each other, plan a underground marriage, and finally say proficient night.

To recap, the key events in guild are:

Romeo sees Juliet
Juliet thinks she is alone
Romeo declares himself
Juliet warns of danger
Romeo and Juliet swear their honey
Romeo and Juliet plan their cloak-and-dagger matrimony
Romeo and Juliet finally say good night

Why Is the Balcony Scene and so Of import?

In Romeo and Juliet, the balcony scene solidifies the bail of honey for both characters. In the scene, Romeo and Juliet are completely alone for the first time. In that location is tension because of the danger that they may be discovered, simply that merely adds to the excitement of the scene.

The balustrade scene is critically of import to the development of the plot of the play considering information technology is during this scene that the lovers' secret marriage is decided. Juliet will not surrender her honor. Sher insists on wedlock, or no relationship at all. Romeo is happy to pursue a wedding, and intends to enlist the assistance of Friar Laurence.

This development puts a key plot point in identify. The marriage of Romeo and Juliet creates complications that bulldoze the intensity of the conflicts in the balance of the play.

Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene: Famous Quotes

The Romeo and Juliet balcony scene contains some of the nearly familiar quotes from the play. Contained in this scene are several famous lines.

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art chiliad Romeo?

Perhaps the near misunderstood of all of Shakepeare's quotes, this line appears very early in the balcony scene. Juliet is NOT asking where Romeo is. She is asking why he has to be Romeo, a Montague. Juliet has already discovered Romeo's identity by talking to the Nurse earlier in the play.

A rose past any other name would odour equally sugariness...

This philosophical argument is uttered past Juliet every bit she tries to come to terms with the fact that the homo she loves is function of her family's near hated rival clan.

But soft, what lite through yonder window breaks?

Romeo speaks these famous words as presently as he sees Juliet standing alone on her balcony, framed within the shape of her bedchamber window.

Summary of the Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

First, Romeo climbs over the wall of the Capulet orchard. He'southward escaping the taunts of his friends, who simply do non understand his infatuation with Juliet. Romeo speaks disdainfully of them, maxim "He jests every bit scars who never felt a wound."

Near immediately, Romeo sees Juliet leaning on her balustrade. He speaks of her dazzler equally he listens to her speak her thoughts of beloved aloud. Juliet thinks she is in private, so she talks freely of her love for Romeo. Romeo, after several worrisome moments, announces himself, and swears his love. He startles Juliet, and she warns him how unsafe information technology is for him to be in the Capulet garden.

Next, Romeo swears his love conspicuously, and asks for Juliet'south feelings in return. She acknowledges that she loves him, but says she will accept only honorable love and a marriage proposal. Romeo implies that he desire to marry her, and the two make secret plans for the following solar day. They finally office, and Romeo states that he volition go immediately to detect Friar Laurence to conform the hymeneals details.

Analysis of the Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

The balcony scene serves to develop the characters of Romeo and Juliet so that the audience tin begin to empathise and identify with the young people.

It also builds a certain corporeality of tension and danger with the constant threat of discovery. Not but does Juliet warn Romeo about the danger, but she also protects him grade being discovered by the Nurse. The Nurse calls Juliet several times during the scene, giving the audience the feeling that they may be discovered at any time. This add suspense throughout the scene.

There is more to the scene than just the content. There are some complex poetic elements as well. The famous balcony scene is 210 lines long, and composed entirely in blank poetry. Blank verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter. In the balcony scene, both Romeo and Juliet speak all their lines in this distinctive meter.

Romeo's Monologue: "Just soft..."

Understand the Balustrade Scene: Romeo Sees Juliet

Romeo Says "He jests at scars that never felt a wound"

The scene begins with Romeo climbing into the Capulet family unit garden. He states that his friends, peculiarly Benvolio, tin can not understand his feelings because they take never been in love. That's what Romeo means when he starts the scene with the line:

He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

Romeo continues with his monologue. He describes Juliet's beauty with powerful metaphors and begins to build up his backbone so that he might speak to her.

A Metaphor: Juliet Is the Sun

Then, Romeo sees Juliet on the balcony. He stops, and exclaims how beautiful she is. He uses the metaphor of the sun to describe how light and lovely she appears to him. He continues to expand on the metaphor by describing that the moon would be jealous of Juliet (the sun) because Juliet, as the sun, is much more beautiful than the moon itself.

Romeo. Merely, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
Information technology is the east, and Juliet is the dominicus.
Arise, off-white sun, and impale the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That chiliad her maid art far more off-white than she.

Romeo Wants to Speak, but Does Not Dare

Romeo looks up at her, and says that Juliet is his love. He wishes she knew how much he loves her. He notes that she is not speaking out loud, but the look in her centre shows that she might feel the same love for him. He is overcome with nerves, and holds back because he feels he is existence too bold.

Romeo. 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 non to me she speaks:

Another Metaphor: Juliet'southward Eyes are Bright Stars

Romeo compares Juliet's eyes to stars in a complicated fashion. He says that the stars take concern to exercise elsewhere, then they have asked Juliet's eyes to shine in sky. Her eyes, as stars, polish so brightly that fifty-fifty the birds will call back that is it daytime.

Romeo. Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business concern, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
---
...her eyes in heaven
Would through the blusterous region stream so vivid
That birds would sing and think it were not night.

Romeo Calls Juliet an Angel

Romeo says that Juliet is only similar an angel, because she stands on the balcony above his head. He says she is just as magnificent as an angel flying above in the air.

Romeo. O, speak once again, bright affections! for yard art
As glorious to this night, beingness o'er my caput
As is a winged messenger of heaven
---
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Understand the Balcony Scene: Juliet Thinks She Is Lone

Juliet believes she is alone in the garden. She stands on the balcony and talks to herself. She is thinking almost Romeo and about how much she loves him. She is very conflicted, though, considering Romeo is a Montague. The Montagues are the sworn enemies of the Capulets.

What "Wherefore Art Thou" Actually Means

Juliet asks herself, WHY?? Why does the man she loves have to be Romeo Montague? In this line, Juliet is not asking where Romeo is. She is simply request why must he exist Romeo Montague?

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art 1000 Romeo?

And then, you tin can see this line has zilch whatsoever to practise with where Romeo is. Juliet has no thought that he is in the garden below her. She is just talking to herself, and wishing that Romeo could be some other name- or some other family.

Juliet Admits Her Feelings

Juliet speaks to the air, just imagines she is speaking to Romeo. She tells him to deny his family unit and go rid of his name. If he volition not, and so she volition denounce her ain name, and go out her family backside for him.

Juliet. Deny thy father and decline thy name;
Or, if grand wilt not, exist but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer exist a Capulet.

Romeo makes a quick aside, wondering if he should listen more to Juliet'south private thoughts, or if he should speak and announce his presence.

Juliet Considers the Meaning of a Name

And then, Juliet continues to muse aloud on her love, and the nature of names. She is, in essence, saying that the name of Montague is her enemy, not Romeo himself.

Juliet. 'Tis but thy proper name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

She goes onto say that the name is non any function of the actual person. A proper noun is just a word, non the affair itself. Juliet cries out her deep want that Romeo would have some other name.

Juliet. What'due south Montague? it is nor mitt, nor pes,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other role
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

A Rose past Whatsoever Other Name

Using the example of a rose, Juliet says a rose would be only equally lovely if information technology had a different name--any other name, only like Romeo.

Juliet. What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By whatever other proper noun would olfactory property as sugariness;

She extends the example with Romeo:

Juliet. So Romeo would, were he non Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title.

Juliet Offers Her Dearest

At the end of this section, Juliet repeats her wish for Romeo to abandon his name, in exchange for her truthful dear.

Juliet. Romeo, doff thy proper noun,
And for that proper noun which is no part of thee
Take all myself.

Understand the Balcony Scene: Romeo Declares Himself

Romeo makes himself known to Juliet and she is startled. She asks who it is that has been hiding in the dark. Juliet is wanting to know who the person is that has been listening to her thoughts and words:

Juliet. What homo fine art thousand that thus bescreen'd in dark
So stumblest on my counsel?

Romeo, cleverly, reveals himself and besides answers Juliet's earlier wishes. He says that he cannot tell his name, considering he knows the name is her enemy. He says the proper noun is hateful to him, as well. If he had his name written on a slice of newspaper, he would rip information technology to shreds. That's how much he hates the proper name.

Romeo. Past a proper noun
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, love saint, is hateful to myself,
Considering information technology is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.

Juliet recognizes Romeo'due south vocalisation, and asks how-do-you-do if he is, indeed, Romeo Montague.

Juliet. My ears have not nevertheless drunkard a hundred words
Of that natural language's utterance, withal I know the sound:
Fine art thou not Romeo and a Montague?

Romeo immediately demonstrates his willingness to let go of his name. This also implies that he is prepare to receive Juliet's love as well. He says he volition exist neither Romeo nor a Montague, if either 1 of those names makes Juliet unhappy. He does this very but, by saying in response to her question:

Romeo. Neither, off-white saint, if either thee dislike.

Empathize the Balustrade Scene: Juliet Warns of Danger

Juliet asks Romeo how he got into the garden, and why he has come up there. Have note of the word "wherefore" again here. It clearly means "why" in this example, besides.

Juliet is asking why Romeo would climb the difficult walls and place himself in so much danger. She's request why she would have the risk of being killed if her family finds him in the garden with her.

Juliet: How camest thousand hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are loftier and difficult to climb,
And the place expiry, because who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee hither.

Romeo Is Non Afraid

Romeo says he came to garden on the low-cal wings of love, considering even heavy stone walls cannot hold dear out. He says that love will try to do everything that is possible. He is non agape of Juliet's family unit considering he has and then much love.

Romeo. With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.

Juliet is agape that Romeo will exist killed. Romeo says he is more than afraid of a bad expect from Juliet than any other danger- even twenty swords could not frighten him equally much every bit her disapproval. Besides, he also says that if she looks at hims sweetly, he will exist allowed, or protected, from their hatred.

Juliet. If they practice see thee, they will murder thee.
Romeo. Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords: look yard but sweet,
And I am proof confronting their enmity.

Romeo Would Rather Die Than Live Without Juliet's Dearest

Of class, Juliet does non want this, and she says and so clearly. Romeo reassures her that he can hide here in the dark.

He adds that he doesn't even care if they find him, as long as Juliet loves him. He would rather dice by violence from the Capulets than effort to alive without her dear.He would not want his death delayed at all, if he had to live without the truthful dear of Juliet.

Juliet. I would not for the world they saw thee here.
Romeo. I take dark'southward cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but 1000 love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than decease prorogued, wanting of thy love.

Sadly, this warning of danger is besides a foreshadowing of the death scene that will somewhen occur in the play.

Empathise the Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Swear Their Dearest

Juliet has a famous monologue in this function of the scene. This is a complex monologue that bears assay all by itself. Every bit a office of this scene, though, the monologue tin be broken into several parts.

Juliet'southward Monologue: She Swears Her Honey

First she playfully says that she would similar to stand on ceremony and deny what she has spoken, but she cannot.

Juliet. Thou know'st the mask of dark is on my face,
Else would a maiden chroma bepaint my cheek
For that which one thousand hast heard me speak to-night
Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny
What I have spoke: but good day compliment!

Juliet then asks for Romeo's answer as to whether or not he loves her. She says she will play hard to get, if necessary- but only so that Romeo volition come closer.

Juliet. Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'
And I will accept thy word: yet if yard swear'st,
Yard mayst evidence fake; at lovers' perjuries
Then say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If k dost dearest, pronounce it faithfully:
Or if thousand think'st I am too quickly won,
I'll frown and be perverse an say thee nay,
And then thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world.

Finally, Juliet completely admits that she loves Romeo. She is worried that her behavior is not courtly, and knows that she should be more than reticent. But, she says, her love is true and stiff. She also comments that she gave her feelings before she knew that Romeo was nearby.

Juliet. In truth, fair Montague, I am too addicted,
And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior calorie-free:
But trust me, admirer, I'll prove more true
Than those that accept more cunning to be strange.
I should have been more strange, I must confess,
But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware,
My true dearest's passion: therefore pardon me,
And not impute this yielding to low-cal love,
Which the dark nighttime hath so discovered.

Romeo Swears by the Moon

Romeo responds by swearing on the moon, but Juliet stops him. Juliet says that the moon is not reliable. She does not want Romeo's love to be inconsistent. She does not want his love to be similar the moon

Romeo. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—
Juliet. O, swear non by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love show likewise variable.

Juliet Makes Romeo Her God

So, Romeo asks what he should use to swear his dear, and Juliet says that he can swear upon himself, because he is a god to her. She says she will believe annihilation he says in that case.

Romeo. What shall I swear past?
Juliet. Do not swear at all;
Or, if m wilt, swear past thy gracious cocky,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.
Romeo. If my heart's honey honey—

Juliet Tries to Say Good Night

Juliet now seems to have 2nd thoughts nigh staying out in the dark with Romeo. She swears that she adores Romeo, but has non joy in their rash deportment, so she tries to say goodnight. She swears her honey in subtle words, and shows that she has hope for the future.

As a side note, it is this set of lines that requite a hint as to the fourth dimension of year the play takes place. Juliet mentions that their new dearest may blossom in the summer. In another scene, Juliet's birthday is said to be a niggling ways in the future, on Lammastide, which is August 1st.

Juliet. Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night:
It is too rash, also unadvised, as well sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, proficient nighttime!
This bud of love, past summer's ripening jiff,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good dark! as sweet tranquility and remainder
Come to thy centre as that inside my breast!

Romeo Asks for Juliet's Vow

Romeo volition not allow Juliet go so hands. He tries to continue her about him, and asks for her to exchange her love's vow with his.

Romeo. O, wilt grand leave me so unsatisfied?
Juliet. What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?
Romeo. The exchange of thy dearest's true-blue vow for mine.

Juliet Swears Her Devotion

Juliet now gives her lover the words he has been longing to hear. She says her love for him is as infinite as the ocean.

Juliet. My bounty is as dizzying as the sea,
My beloved as deep; the more than I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Juliet'south nurse calls from inside, and Juliet must become. She promises to render quickly, and tells Romeo:

Juliet. Stay only a little, and I will come once again.

Sympathise the Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Programme Their Surreptitious Union

Information technology is Juliet who get-go speaks the idea of matrimony. She tells Romeo that information technology must marriage for her, or nothing at all. Juliet insists on an honorable match. She will give Romeo everything she has if he will marry her. If he will not, she tells him to go out her lone to grieve, and, presumably, dice.

Juliet. --
If that thy aptitude of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow,
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 human foot I'll lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the world.

--
Just if g mean'st non well,
I do beseech thee—
To finish thy adjust, and leave me to my grief:

Romeo agrees quite readily to this programme, and with a few interruptions fro the Nurse, the two lovers have it settled. Juliet goes inside, only to reappear a few seconds after.

Juliet. Romeo!
Romeo. My honey?
Juliet. At what o'clock to-morrow
Shall I ship to thee?
Romeo. At the hr of nine.

The very side by side morning, at nine o'clock the marriage volition exist arranged, and the lovers program to be hubby and wife only a few hours afterward they see.

Understand the Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Finally Say Skilful Dark

Finally, the 2 lovers say expert night, and part company. Romeo plans to seek out Friar Laurence immediately to request his services and arrange the wedding.

Juliet. 'Tis almost morning; I would accept thee gone:
And withal no further than a wanton's bird;
Who lets it hop a trivial from her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silk thread plucks it back once more,
Then loving-jealous of his liberty.
Romeo. I would I were thy bird.
Juliet. Sweet, so would I:
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.
Practiced night, practiced night! departing is such
sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
---
Romeo. Slumber dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
Hence volition I to my ghostly male parent'south prison cell,
His help to crave, and my love hap to tell.

Romeo and Juliet on the balcony

[PD] via Wikimedia Commons

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