Speech Bubble Romeo and Juliet Romeo at the Balcony She Speaks Speak Again Bright Angel

Jule Romans is the writer of "Accept Advice from Shakespeare" and other books. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of education.

Empathise the Balustrade Scene in Romeo and Juliet

The famous balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet occurs in act two, scene 2 of Shakespeare's well-known play. Within the balcony scene in that location are several very important events that take place. Each ane builds the intensity of the passionate attraction between these two iconic lovers.

What Happens in the Balustrade Scene of Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo climbs the Capulet family'southward garden wall, and sees Juliet alone on her balcony. Unaware that Romeo is nearby, Juliet sighs and speaks her feelings of dearest out loud. Romeo declares himself to Juliet, and she warns him of the danger of existence there. Romeo and Juliet swear their true love to each other, plan a hugger-mugger marriage, and finally say skillful nighttime.

To recap, the fundamental events in order are:

Romeo sees Juliet
Juliet thinks she is alone
Romeo declares himself
Juliet warns of danger
Romeo and Juliet swear their love
Romeo and Juliet program their secret spousal relationship
Romeo and Juliet finally say expert night

Why Is the Balcony Scene then Important?

In Romeo and Juliet, the balcony scene solidifies the bond of love for both characters. In the scene, Romeo and Juliet are completely solitary for the showtime time. In that location is tension because of the danger that they may be discovered, but that simply adds to the excitement of the scene.

The balcony scene is critically of import to the evolution of the plot of the play considering it is during this scene that the lovers' secret marriage is decided. Juliet will not requite up her award. Sher insists on matrimony, or no relationship at all. Romeo is happy to pursue a wedding, and intends to enlist the help of Friar Laurence.

This evolution puts a fundamental plot point in place. The wedlock of Romeo and Juliet creates complications that drive the intensity of the conflicts in the rest of the play.

Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene: Famous Quotes

The Romeo and Juliet balustrade scene contains some of the most familiar quotes from the play. Independent in this scene are several famous lines.

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Maybe the most misunderstood of all of Shakepeare's quotes, this line appears very early on in the balcony scene. Juliet is Not asking where Romeo is. She is request why he has to be Romeo, a Montague. Juliet has already discovered Romeo'south identity past talking to the Nurse earlier in the play.

A rose by whatever other name would odour equally sweet...

This philosophical statement is uttered by Juliet as she tries to come to terms with the fact that the human being she loves is function of her family's most hated rival clan.

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

Romeo speaks these famous words equally before long every bit he sees Juliet standing lone on her balcony, framed within the shape of her sleeping room window.

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Summary of the Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

First, Romeo climbs over the wall of the Capulet orchard. He's escaping the taunts of his friends, who simply practice not understand his infatuation with Juliet. Romeo speaks disdainfully of them, proverb "He jests as scars who never felt a wound."

Almost immediately, Romeo sees Juliet leaning on her balustrade. He speaks of her beauty as he listens to her speak her thoughts of honey aloud. Juliet thinks she is in private, so she talks freely of her love for Romeo. Romeo, afterwards several worrisome moments, announces himself, and swears his love. He startles Juliet, and she warns him how dangerous it is for him to be in the Capulet garden.

Next, Romeo swears his love clearly, and asks for Juliet's feelings in render. She acknowledges that she loves him, simply says she will accept simply honorable love and a marriage proposal. Romeo implies that he want to marry her, and the 2 make hugger-mugger plans for the following twenty-four hour period. They finally role, and Romeo states that he will go immediately to find Friar Laurence to arrange the wedding details.

Analysis of the Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

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

It also builds a certain amount of tension and danger with the constant threat of discovery. Not only does Juliet warn Romeo about the danger, merely she besides protects him form 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 whatsoever time. This add suspense throughout the scene.

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

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 garden. He states that his friends, particularly Benvolio, can not empathise his feelings considering they have never been in beloved. That'due south 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'due south dazzler with powerful metaphors and begins to build upwardly his backbone so that he might speak to her.

A Metaphor: Juliet Is the Sunday

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

Romeo. But, soft! what low-cal through yonder window breaks?
Information technology is the eastward, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and impale the envious moon,
Who is already sick and stake with grief,
That thou her maid art far more than fair than she.

Romeo Wants to Speak, just Does Not Dare

Romeo looks upwardly 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 middle shows that she might feel the same dear for him. He is overcome with nerves, and holds dorsum because he feels he is being too bold.

Romeo. Information technology is my lady, O, it is my beloved!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will respond it.
I am as well assuming, 'tis not to me she speaks:

Another Metaphor: Juliet'south Eyes are Vivid Stars

Romeo compares Juliet's eyes to stars in a complicated mode. He says that the stars have business organization to do elsewhere, so they have asked Juliet's eyes to shine in heaven. Her eyes, equally stars, shine so brightly that even the birds will think that is it daytime.

Romeo. Ii of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, practice entreat her optics
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
---
...her optics in heaven
Would through the blusterous region stream so bright
That birds would sing and call up it were not night.

Romeo Calls Juliet an Angel

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

Romeo. O, speak once again, bright angel! for thou fine art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my caput
Equally is a winged messenger of heaven
---
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bust of the air.

Understand the Balcony Scene: Juliet Thinks She Is Solitary

Juliet believes she is alone in the garden. She stands on the balcony and talks to herself. She is thinking about Romeo and nigh how much she loves him. She is very conflicted, though, because 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 accept to be Romeo Montague? In this line, Juliet is non request where Romeo is. She is simply asking why must he be Romeo Montague?

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore fine art thou Romeo?

So, you can see this line has null any to do with where Romeo is. Juliet has no idea that he is in the garden below her. She is just talking to herself, and wishing that Romeo could be another name- or some other family unit.

Juliet Admits Her Feelings

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

Juliet. Deny thy father and refuse thy proper noun;
Or, if thousand wilt not, be merely sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be 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

Then, Juliet continues to muse aloud on her dear, and the nature of names. She is, in essence, proverb that the name of Montague is her enemy, not Romeo himself.

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

She goes onto say that the name is not whatsoever part of the actual person. A proper name is just a word, not the matter itself. Juliet cries out her deep desire that Romeo would accept another name.

Juliet. What'south Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other office
Belonging to a human being. O, be another proper noun!

A Rose by Any Other Name

Using the example of a rose, Juliet says a rose would exist just equally lovely if it had a different proper noun--any other name, just similar Romeo.

Juliet. What's in a name? that which we call a rose
Past whatsoever other proper name would smell every bit sweet;

She extends the example with Romeo:

Juliet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that love perfection which he owes
Without that title.

Juliet Offers Her Dear

At the stop of this section, Juliet repeats her wish for Romeo to abandon his name, in exchange for her true honey.

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

Sympathize 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 man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night
And then stumblest on my counsel?

Romeo, cleverly, reveals himself and too answers Juliet's before wishes. He says that he cannot tell his name, because he knows the name is her enemy. He says the proper name is mean to him, also. If he had his name written on a piece of newspaper, he would rip it to shreds. That's how much he hates the name.

Romeo. By a proper noun
I know non how to tell thee who I am:
My proper noun, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.

Juliet recognizes Romeo's voice, and asks hello if he is, indeed, Romeo Montague.

Juliet. My ears have non still drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue'south utterance, still I know the sound:
Art thou non Romeo and a Montague?

Romeo immediately demonstrates his willingness to let go of his proper name. This also implies that he is gear up to receive Juliet's dearest as well. He says he will exist neither Romeo nor a Montague, if either one of those names makes Juliet unhappy. He does this very only, by saying in response to her question:

Romeo. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.

Understand the Balustrade Scene: Juliet Warns of Danger

Juliet asks Romeo how he got into the garden, and why he has come there. Accept notation of the word "wherefore" again here. It clearly ways "why" in this example, too.

Juliet is asking why Romeo would climb the difficult walls and identify himself in so much danger. She'south asking why she would take the take chances of being killed if her family finds him in the garden with her.

Juliet: How camest thou here, 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 detect thee here.

Romeo Is Not Afraid

Romeo says he came to garden on the light wings of honey, because even heavy stone walls cannot concur beloved out. He says that honey will attempt to do everything that is possible. He is not agape of Juliet'south family because he has so much dearest.

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

Juliet is afraid that Romeo will be killed. Romeo says he is more than afraid of a bad expect from Juliet than whatsoever other danger- even twenty swords could not frighten him as much as her disapproval. Likewise, he also says that if she looks at hims sweetly, he will be immune, or protected, from their hatred.

Juliet. If they do see thee, they volition murder thee.
Romeo. Alack, there lies more peril in thine center
Than 20 of their swords: look chiliad but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.

Romeo Would Rather Die Than Alive Without Juliet's Love

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

He adds that he doesn't even care if they discover him, as long as Juliet loves him. He would rather dice by violence from the Capulets than try to live without her love.He would not want his expiry delayed at all, if he had to live without the true beloved of Juliet.

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

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

Understand the Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Swear Their Love

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

Juliet's Monologue: She Swears Her Love

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

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

Juliet so asks for Romeo's reply as to whether or non he loves her. She says she will play hard to get, if necessary- only only and then that Romeo will come up closer.

Juliet. Dost thou love me? I know thousand wilt say 'Ay,'
And I volition take thy word: even so if thou swear'st,
Thou mayst evidence imitation; at lovers' perjuries
And so say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If m dost love, pronounce information technology faithfully:
Or if 1000 think'st I am too quickly won,
I'll pout and exist perverse an say thee nay,
So m wilt woo; just else, not for the earth.

Finally, Juliet completely admits that she loves Romeo. She is worried that her behavior is not ladylike, and knows that she should be more reticent. Merely, she says, her love is true and strong. She also comments that she gave her feelings earlier she knew that Romeo was nearby.

Juliet. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond,
And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior low-cal:
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more than true
Than those that accept more cunning to be strange.
I should have been more strange, I must confess,
But that m overheard'st, ere I was ware,
My true love's passion: therefore pardon me,
And non impute this yielding to lite love,
Which the dark night 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 exist inconsistent. She does not desire his love to be like the moon

Romeo. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silvery all these fruit-tree tops—
Juliet. O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Juliet Makes Romeo Her God

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

Romeo. What shall I swear by?
Juliet. Do non swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear past thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.
Romeo. If my heart's dear love—

Juliet Tries to Say Proficient Night

Juliet now seems to accept 2d thoughts well-nigh staying out in the dark with Romeo. She swears that she adores Romeo, merely has not joy in their rash actions, and so she tries to say goodnight. She swears her beloved in subtle words, and shows that she has hope for the hereafter.

Equally a side annotation, it is this fix of lines that give a hint equally to the time of year the play takes place. Juliet mentions that their new love may bloom in the summer. In some other scene, Juliet'south birthday is said to be a lilliputian ways in the hereafter, 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:
Information technology is also rash, too unadvised, likewise sudden;
As well like the lightning, which doth finish to be
Ere ane can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good nighttime!
This bud of love, by summertime'due south ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous bloom when side by side nosotros meet.
Good nighttime, adept night! as sweet serenity and rest
Come to thy heart equally that inside my chest!

Romeo Asks for Juliet'south Vow

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

Romeo. O, wilt yard leave me and so unsatisfied?
Juliet. What satisfaction canst k have to-night?
Romeo. The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

Juliet Swears Her Devotion

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

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

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

Juliet. Stay but a footling, and I volition come up again.

Understand the Balustrade Scene: Romeo and Juliet Plan Their Secret Marriage

It is Juliet who first speaks the idea of marriage. She tells Romeo that information technology must matrimony 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 volition not, she tells him to leave her alone to grieve, and, presumably, dice.

Juliet. --
If that thy bent of dearest be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, transport me word to-morrow,
By i that I'll procure to come to thee,
Where and what fourth dimension one thousand wilt perform the rite;
And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the earth.

--
But if thou hateful'st not well,
I do beseech thee—
To cease thy suit, and go out me to my grief:

Romeo agrees quite readily to this programme, and with a few interruptions fro the Nurse, the ii lovers have information technology settled. Juliet goes inside, only to reappear a few seconds later on.

Juliet. Romeo!
Romeo. My dearest?
Juliet. At what o'clock to-morrow
Shall I transport to thee?
Romeo. At the hour of nine.

The very next morn, at nine o'clock the marriage will be arranged, and the lovers plan to exist married man and married woman only a few hours after they run across.

Understand the Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Finally Say Good Night

Finally, the two lovers say good night, and part company. Romeo plans to seek out Friar Laurence immediately to asking his services and arrange the wedding.

Juliet. 'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:
And nevertheless no further than a wanton's bird;
Who lets information technology hop a little from her manus,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silk thread plucks it back over again,
And then loving-jealous of his freedom.
Romeo. I would I were thy bird.
Juliet. Sweetness, so would I:
Notwithstanding I should kill thee with much cherishing.
Good dark, good night! parting is such
sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it exist morrow.
---
Romeo. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, and so sweet to remainder!
Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell,
His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell.

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