Free Response- Romeo + Juliet

William Shakespeare wove into his work heavy emphasis on even the simplest elements of dialogue. Notably in the tragic drama of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare created love scenes so saturated with passion and secrecy the play has become a heralded member of classic literature.

Romeo, so enamored of Juliet, climbs into the Capulet garden. Suddenly, he sees Juliet wander out onto the balcony directly above. He hears her declare her love for him, wishing he would disown his offensive name so they could be together. To her surprise, Romeo replies that if she showed him favor, he would immediately christen himself anew.

Juliet shows her surprise, and then her concern at his trespassing. She first asks him how he entered the orchard, and why he came at all. All Capulets knew he was a Montague, and would kill him directly for setting foot on their soil. The last thing she wants is for him to be killed if any of her kin should see him. Romeo always responds to her practical concern in bold, eloquent verse. He doesn’t care about the danger of his being there; his love for her is so great. Juliet is surprised, hesitant, worried, and fearful as she converses with Romeo. He is euphoric, bold, eloquent, completely head over heels for Juliet. The two youth in turn emphasize the secrecy and passion that are co-existing moods in this scene.

The setting is a prerequisite for the mixed mood in this particular scene. As Romeo reveals in his earlier soliloquy, the place is cloaked in night, within the Capulet orchard. So forbidden is their love that they must meet under cover of night, unbeknownst to their households. The setting is nonetheless romantic in the moonlight, overlooking a beautiful garden. It is definitely an attractive meeting spot for ardent lovers to be alone. Undoubtedly the scene setting portrays both moods.

Examining the speech of both characters, Shakespeare incorporates alternating diction and syntax for Romeo and Juliet. Romeo speaks in long, poetic sentences dripping with infatuation. Using a simile or a metaphor every other sentence, his smooth, romantic talk is well practiced. Juliet, on the other hand, has short, choppy verses. Juliet wastes no breath with sweet nothings, practicality is in her nature and she jumps right to the point. Both use blank verse, common for their status in society.

Shakespeare sets the stage for the rest of the production with the mood of this scene, in a combination of setting, syntax, diction, and other narrative elements. Romance and secrecy come hand in hand in the famous balcony scene, the beginning of a tragic love that is too soon choked to death by the black hatred that existed between the two houses of Capulet and Montague for so long.