Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 2 Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 Paper Today we are going to be rehearsing Act 2 Scene 2, which is most commonly called the Balcony Scene. This scene is vital to the play, because with out the scene there might not have even been a story to write about. In many peoples opinions including mine this is the centre point of the play. This is because if Romeo hadnt jumped over the wall and consequently landed in Juliets garden. Romeo and Juliet probably wouldnt have seen each other again for a long while; and in the mean time their feelings would have died down from the heat of the moment. Also Romeo wasnt meant to hear what Juliet was saying about him. It was all thoughts on the top of Juliets head that were spur of the moment. They were also probably slightly embellished from what they actually were. The young love and the excitement of the party probably exaggerate their feelings. Juliet would never have said what she did if she knew Romeo was there. Hearing this would have thrilled Romeo especially after he had a crush on Rosaline for so long with it unreturned. To hear his feelings returned would only have heightened them. This is Juliets first kiss, so naturally she would be feeling excited and worked up. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I think this would have died down, if fate hadnt played its part and in effect sped up their love. Now I want both of you acting Romeo and Juliet to understand how your characters would be feeling in this scene. Romeo- you have just escaped from your friends who are jesting at scars that have never felt a wound. To stop having to hear them teasing you, you have jumped over this wall, and you suddenly see your love Juliet. Romeo when you say what light through yonder window breaks? it can be interpreted in two ways. One, that you quite literally; see a candle light in the window. Or, which is how I would prefer you to act it, is that you see Juliet, and she is the light. Shakespeare used a lot of light imagery. Such as a diamond in an Ethiopians ear. I would like you to act it this way, not only because it gives more feeling to the audience, but also because Romeo has used light imagery through out the play. In this speech Romeo you carry on using light imagery, for example when you say Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Your saying how Juliet is your sun and you want to see her but also that she is so perfect, she makes the moon jealous. Now Juliet you will be feeling all wrapped up in you emotions right now. Imagine youre about 13 and you have just had your first kiss, youre excited and in love at first sight with someone you barely know. Romeo when Juliet appears in the window, you have to show deep emotion. The audience needs to be able to see just how big your feelings are, to shows its actual love not just an infatuation like with Rosaline. Your first line it is my lady, O it is my love: needs to be said with love and compassion. It is so vital in this scene that you make sure that it is portrayed to the audience that your love for Juliet is so much more, than for Rosaline and that Rosaline was just a courtly lover. If it is not shown in this scene, one of the main love scenes then the whole play is not nearly as tragic. The play is all about the power of love. So if the audience dont understand the extent of Romeo and Juliets love; then the play is not nearly as strong. Shakespeare tried to show the difference in Romeos love for Rosaline and Juliet in the language. When Romeo was in love with Rosaline, his flamboyant language was all about himself and his feelings; not about Rosaline. Compared to when he loves Juliet, his language becomes more simple and all about Juliet. For example after you see Juliet in this speech you say Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes, To twinkle in their spheres till they return. This means that when the two brightest stars in the sky, have to go, they would ask Juliets eyes to replace them. This is also more light imagery that Shakespeare uses to define the relationship of the lovers. The whole scene is suffused with the glow and light of their love. At this point Juliet when you say Ay me! although its a very short line, it is not at all insignificant. This needs to be said in a heart felt sigh, showing to the audience how all you can think about is Romeo. Juliet, as you can see this is when you say the most famous line in the play, and possibly even literature. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? But there is a common misconception about this line. What it actually means is O Romeo why are you a Montague Juliet is expressing her pains that Romeo is a Montague, her families arch-enemies. Or if he will not deny thy father and refuse thy name but swear is love then she will no longer be a Capulet This speech shows the sincerity of her love for Romeo, that she would disown her family. This needs to be said with feeling for the audience to understand the deepness of her love. This is a crucial speech in the play. At hearing this Romeo you need to be elated by the fact that she is returning the deepness of your love. Now you are in two minds, on wether to hear more or to speak at this so Juliet knows that you are there. This needs to be said slowly to show your conundrum to the audience. In the next speech Juliet, you are deliberating about the importance of names. Whats Montague? It is nor hand nor foot, it isnt anything but a name, its nothing. Juliet you go on contemplating the concept of why names mean nothing. Juliet is saying just because he is a Montague it doesnt make him a bad person. She compares this to a rose. That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet; So Romeo is just as sweet as he would be if he wasnt a Montague. Juliet goes on to say that if Romeo casts aside his name then for doing that he can take all of Juliet. Now Romeo, you would be so euphoric at hearing this you would jump out of your hiding place and stand below Juliets balcony shouting up to her, to swiftly say but with deep passion how you will take Juliets word and never will be Romeo. From here Romeo you will go on to say how your name is hateful to you because its an enemy to thee Then Juliet you show the first sign of the connection between you and Romeo, that its true love not just a quick romance. Its the first time that you have shown a sign of being in love with Romeo. Romeo has already shown his love for Juliet, with out saying it by his change in language. So Juliet what it actually means when you say My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words is showing how she hasnt understood what Romeo has been saying, however it is significant when you say yet I know the sound. Because it shows how you still know its him even though you have spent such little time with him prior to this meeting. Then Juliet (when you later go on talking) you show how practical you are, so when you say the passage concerned about how Romeo got on to the wall, and if any of her kinsmen find him there; he will be killed. It needs to be said with great concern, to show to the audience the contrast, between Juliet and her practical concerns and Romeos unreasonable attitude. As he replies that he got on to the wall With loves light wings, and that nothing can hold love out. All this Romeo needs to be said with a care free, foolish way, to underline to the audience the difference in attitudes at this point. Romeo you take an irrational, unrealistic response to Juliets worries of his death. Then as you carry on this irrational charade, you say a very ironic speech which to the audience knowing how the story ends, from the prologue is very sad. Romeo you need to make sure that when you say this it is said to draw the attention of the audience and in such a haphazard, light-hearted way, to make the audience feel sad, due to the hindsight they will have. The passage says how you, Romeo would prefer to die with Juliets love then death prorogued, wanting of they love This indeed is finally how the play ends. In this next passage you Juliet, are saying some things that are embarrassing, so you need to act this with a bashful air, by looking down and doing occasional glances at Romeo, with a slight hush and pauses as you speak. Here you say how embarrassed you are, and that you are glad the mask of night is on your face, because otherwise Romeo would see you blushing. You wish that Romeo hadnt heard what you had said, so she could play harder to get, then laying all her cards down straight away. Then suddenly you need to look Romeo, straight in the eye to show your sincerity to the audience, and say directly Dost thou love me? leave a slight pause and say in a more rushed tone that you know he will say Ay and its a silly question because you will take thy word and believe him. Juliet you ask Romeo, which must be said truly heart felt, that Romeo must either pronounce it faithfully, his love for her or; if he thinks that you are too quickly won, If he said this you will frown but be preserve and pretend to refuse you, Romeo. Then Juliet you say how in truth, you are too fond of Romeo. But you tell Romeo to trust you. At this point you reach over the balcony and hold Romeos hand, look straight at him, to show the audience the sincerity. You tell Romeo that you will prove more true than those who were harder to get. You admit that you should have played more strange, but Romeo over heard you so you had not chance to do so. After this to prove your sincerity of love to Juliet; you Romeo swear by the moon, but Juliet tells you not to swear by the moon because it is inconsistent, meaning that his love was inconsistent. While you have been saying this you have climbed up and leaning over the balcony to Juliet. To also physically show to the audience, your efforts to prove to Juliet you love for her is true. So Romeo, after Juliet tells you not to swear at all; but if he must swear by the gracious self, you say readily and eagerly to her about your love until she cuts you off. When she does this you must look slightly disappointed but wrapped up in her all the same. Juliet this is where you show more of your practical personality in the audience, and of your maturity that has clearly developed since the beginning of the play. You are in sudden fear that this is all happening so fast. So that it will end so fast. This is all so sadly ironic, which the audience needs to pick up on, because they will as before, know from the prologue the fate of the young couples lives and love. Here the speeches are needed to be said with more urgency, because they are running out of time together. But because of this they are more genuine and truthful, as there is no time for poetic imagery, of light, flowers and so forth. Here Romeo you say to Juliet O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied. Which at first both the audience and Juliet take to be a very forward comment, jumping to the conclusion that he wants to make love. Which is why Juliet asks slightly shocked and a bit worried, What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? Romeo here you must act completely unaware of what Juliet thought he meant, so that the audience understands that this is not what he meant. That what he wanted was loves faithful vow for his. Which Juliet you reply to with complete truth that she gave her vow of love before thou didst request it. And she wishes she could give it again. But clearly she cant because there is not enough time. But this does give the valid point of the sincerity of what Juliets love is, because she did say it before Romeo declared his. So when Romeo asks you to declaire it again you use imagery of water. My bounty is as boundless as the sea. Your love for Romeo gets deeper the more she gives to him. Her love is everlasting and endless; its infinite. Here Romeo and Juliet I want you to be holding on to both of each others hands. Romeo you must me completely stretched over the top of the balcony to Juliet. To emphasise how much you want to be with her, not just in the literal sense. Then as the nurse calls for Juliet within and Juliet desperately says how she will come back out, you pull apart, so unwillingly. As Juliet has left the balcony, Romeo you climb over the top and sit on the edge. Leave a slight pause once you have got into position and just look in to the night, to show the audience how you are in deep thought. Then sigh as you talk to the night. You say how afraid that because it is night you are worried it is all just a dream. After all that is what Juliet is to you, she is the girl of your dreams. (Juliet Speech to finish off need help! ) Here we will call it a day, but we will carry on from here tomorrow. As you go I want to leave you with one last thought to think about. I want each of you to think about just how much both of you have changed in the little time you have known each other. Romeo you have gone from being self wallowing and wrapped up of the idea in love, that all he was chasing was a dream, the infatuation with Rosaline was nothing. This Shakespeare tried to emphasise in different ways. But mainly in the flamboyant language and imagery to someone who understand. Then after you met Juliet you changed and realised that it wasnt all about you. As well as how wonderful Juliet was, and how you wanted to be with her not just superficially, because of her looks. Now Juliet you have changed greatly as well. Before you met Romeo you were nai ve, and juvenile. Where as now, you are proving to be the practical, and mature one. Worrying about safety and pushing your relationship forward. If it wasnt for you Romeo would probably still be at your balcony trying to prove how much he loved you at the end of the play! Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 Essay Example Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 Paper The scene opens with Romeos glorifying monologue to Juliets beauty. Romeos many comparisons of Juliet to the sun, stars and heavens, suggest that he is looking upwards, and that Juliet appears at an upstairs window. The images of bright light that he uses to describe her: But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun! or Two of The fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres till they return. , show Romeos unqualified love for Juliet. The images of bright light are represented differently in the many versions in which the film has been shot. Meanwhile in the older versions of the shakespearean tragedy the only really bright light is represented by the moon, that alone shines omnipotent over the scene, giving it a unique touch, in the newer versions this characteristic is represented in a more modern and extravagant way. The small lights attached to the orchard, that Romeo climbs to reach Juliets balcony, and the underwater lightning when the two lovers fall into the swimming pool manage to give a similiar effect of romance to the one that characterised the scene in the past versions. The underwater camera view creates a surrealistic and exremely romantic effect. The wetness is another determining factor in the scene. After falling into the pool the two caracters are obviously soaked. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 2 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Wetness has always symbolized sexuality and wildness, this image is probably connected to the fact, that when hair is wet it loses its original shape and becomes uncontrollable, also the feature that Juliet is wearing a see through dress increases the sense of sexual tension. Romeo as well as comparing her to images of light, describes her as a source of light itself. When she first speaks, he uses religious images of adoration, comparing her to an angel, a winged messenger of heaven, upon whom mortals fall back to gaze in wonder. Romeo had previously described Juilet with religious imagery; when they met at the ball, he describes her as a holy shrine. This, once more, indicates the deepness of Romeos love for Juliet, a love that is gradually turning into idolatry. Romeo is so caught up in his feelings that he doesnt care anymore for his security. The religious imagery is primarily represented by the clothes Juliet is wearing: the white dress and the silk wings give us a picture of Juliet being no longer a human being but more of a godess descended on earth. Also her standing on a balcony, a level above Romeo, reinforces this image. There is a big contrast between the two characters: Romeo dressed up as a knight and having risked his life to come and see Juliet, just as a knight would risk his life for his king, and Juliet being so innocent and angelic, delighted by Romeos visit. Juliets admission of love prompts Romeo to reveal himself, and to declare the hate for his name: Call me but love, and Ill be new baptised: Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Romeo is prepared to forget his past as a Montague, and betray his family s name and therefore his family too. In those times when the family honour was a very important part of ones personality, a statement such as this one could only signify true dedication and worship towards his love for Juliet. As she discovers him hiding in the orchard, her first excalamtion is one of fear for his safety;: How camst 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. But Romeo dismisses the danger. Neither stone walls nor Capulet kinsmen can prevent his love: With loves light wings did I oerperch 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. Juliets love and the cover of the night protect him. In an image which will recur dramatically in his final speech in the play, Romeo compares himself to a sea-voyager driven to seek Juliets love, even if it were at the very ends of earth: I am no pilot, yet wert thou as far as that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I should adventure for such merchandise. We can clearly see the difference in language use, between the two characters; on one hand there is Romeos insatiable romance which always seems to have the answer to Juliet enquiries, on the the other hand there is Juilets simple and direct speech. Juliet, unlike Romeo, is incapable of fully enjoying these brief moments with her lover, continuously worrying about being caught in the wrong. Romeo in this scene demonstrates that he possesses an immense courage, supported from his blind love for Juliet, he doesnt seem to care about the kinsmen that are patroling the building, and hes living these moments to the full. Once more we see how Romeo idolizes Juliet. He possesses the courage that only one who is protected by his god would have. In the video the contrast between the two characters attitude and language, is represented rather more by their actions than by their speech. Meanwhile, Juliet is terrorized by the idea of him been caught, Romeo doesnt care about his security. In fact when he and Juliet fall into the swimmimg pool, he jumps up shouting his love for her, at which point a guard gets suspicious and comes to check, and Romeo is close to getting discovered. Even though this moment in which Romeo is close to being caught, he is still unworried towards the situation, and completely focused on Juliet. Her questions and enquiries are suffocated by Romeos kisses and romantic attitude. Romeos mind is like flying towards other planets and dimensions, and does not understand Juliets reluctance and timidity towards his attitude. When Juliet manages to separate herself from Romeo, he explicitly claims not to be satisfied enough: O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? , referring in a double sense to Juliets lack of sensuality. Juliet admits embarassement at being overheard telling of her love. She rejects formal ways of speaking and behaving : farewell compliment, and asks Romeo directly if he loves her. She pleads for him to answer truthfully: pronounce faithfully, admitting she declared her own love for him unaware of his presence. She begs him not to swear by the moon, which is changeable and inconstant, but only by himself. This is a metaphor comparing Romeos love changes to the changes of the moon; before Romeo fell in love Juliet, he was already in love with another woman, Rosaline, which was immediately forgetten at the first sight of Juliet. She is afraid that Romeo would forget her just asquickly as he fell in love with her. Suddenly fearful, she sees their instant falling in love as too rash, too unadvised. It may prove as brief as a lightining flash, over as quickly as it began. In reply to Romeos anxious questions why she wishes to withdraw her vow of love and offer it again, Juliet uses simple but profoundly eloquent language to express the never-ending quality of her love for him: My bounty is as a boundless sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee The more I have, for both are infinite . Juliet is the one to make the practical arrangements for the marriage, since Romeo is still dreaming about the time spent together. Before the two lovers separate themselves, Juliet uses a peculiar and very contradictory type of imagery to describe her feelings for Romeo, comparing herself to a playful girl and Romeo to her bird, which she lets free for a bit but then takes back because she cant live without him: I would have thee gone; And yet no farther than a wantons bird, that lets it hop a little from her hand, like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, and with a silk thread plucks it back again, so loving jealous of his liberty. This reflects the relationship between the two lovers; Juliet does not have the freedom that the bird, Romeo, has and has to let him go, but only for a bit, until they can meet again. And she is jealous of the freedom that a bird has, in fact Romeo wishes she was a bird so that she could have the freedom, and the possibility to live to the full her love with Romeo: I would I were thy bird. Juliet has played the dominant role in this scene ( she speaks twice as many lines as Romeo), it is her farewell that often remains in the audiences mind as the memorable expression of loverss leave taking. She leaves with an oxymoron that encapsulates the conflicts of the play and its joys and heartaches: Parting is such a sweet sorrow. Juliet on her first appearence appears submissive, modest, almost tongue-tied. She has little to say, and seems to respect her mothers authority. But this 13 year-old girl, superficially conventional and demure, rapidly matures in her meetings with Romeo. She allowes him to kiss her only moments after their first meeting, and in this scene she seems to take the lead, speaking twice as many times as Romeo. Shes the one who proposes the marriage, and does so the very next day. Critics tende to idealise Juliet and her love for Romeo. They describe her as charmingly innocent, but frank and courageous. Romeo appears first as a stock figure of romance: the moody young lover who is rejected by an unattainable woman. He is seen as the abject slave of a sadistic godess, he seems more in love with love than with an actual person. This scene is very important for the understanding of the whole play, as in it there are contained images and metaphors that encapsulate essential meanings of the play. Already from the beginning of the tragedy, expressions such as: star-crossed lovers, referring to the realtionship between Romeo and Juliet, give an idea on the course of the play. In the video version, directed by Baz Lurhman, an important metaphor is represented: when the two lovers fall into the swimming pool, their state of being is a comparison to their relationship: gradually their love is gettin uncontrolled and soon it will become impossible to manage, just like a person is not able to completely manage their movements in a swimming pool, where they dont touch. How the scene was adapted in the modern version, is probably more significative for us, as the type of atmosphere approaches more our ideal of love and romance, also it highlights meanings and images that would be difficult to interpretate in the older versions of the play.