‘My mind misgives
Some consequences yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly forgive his fearful date
With this night revels’
This quote relates back to how the stars seem to control our destiny in life, however it depends on your belief in this theory. The planetary aura is felt throughout the script of Romeo and Juliet and the great faith in the theory is a downfall for Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. In my diary entry Romeo does not compare what consequences the stars might hold to the idea of a relationship with Juliet, however he constantly refers back to the hatred between the two families which will be a constant burden upon their relationship. He also refers to a ruling spirit who wants to detach Juliet from him in every possible way. The fact that Romeo senses a being that does not want him to form a relationship with Juliet should cause concern for him for the spirit who he is aware of is possibly having preconceptions of a unexpected ending for both of them. The last two lines of the quote that I am writing seem to understand the importance of Romeo’s endearment for Juliet, however they are still shrouded with confusion by the star theory. The last two lines translate in my eyes as the stars will bitterly give way to Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other, however they will have to live with the outcome of not being conscious of this warning.
‘So show a snowy dove trooping with crows’
The quote emphasises diverse appearances and how the two combined show opposite qualities. The idiosyncrasy and purity of a doves features is compared with Juliet’s beauty and the mass number of trooping crows are compared with the women in the hall. I notice how Shakespeare stresses that the crows are in a group where as the dove is solitary in beauty. This quote describes feelings for Juliet for he seems to filter out any other disturbances in the room and manages to concentrate on only Juliet. In my diary entry, Romeo commits his writing to Juliet and becomes annoyed if any other object gets in his way; therefore his actions are somehow dividing the two groups apart from one another. This relates to the quote that I have presented and my diary entry has expressed its meaning in another form.
Juliet’s elegance is the character, which manipulated Romeo’s mind into an odyssey. In the script the use of the light in dancehall is used to express Romeo’s thoughts about Juliet. In my diary, Romeo talks about Juliet’s beauty shaping it into a detailed account on paper. It seems as though the world has relented allowing Romeo to study Juliet for a short time. At this point in my diary, I relate back to the act of true fate, therefore I feel that it is necessary for Romeo to comprehend his fortune once he has met Juliet and perhaps thank the stars for their work.
‘My lips two blushing pilgrims ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss’
Romeo describes his lips as 'two blushing pilgrims,’ A pilgrim is the word used to describe a person that visits a holy place to worship. For example, pilgrims visit Bethlehem to worship Jesus. So in this quote, Romeo is the pilgrim who is devoted to Juliet. By saying that his lips are 'two blushing pilgrims,' Romeo is using a metaphor. In my diary Romeo is desperate to touch Juliet, as if he is insecure of how her heart is going to dictate, therefore Romeo feels that he needs to place his mark on he, like any sick catholic pilgrim would thirst for the holy water in Lourdes. It is simply a passion and many pilgrims feel they need to manipulate and contribute to this certain sacred place.
‘ You kiss by the book’
Juliet expresses this poetic emotion after their first kiss at the dance. The quote ‘ You kiss by the book’ means expertly as though the person in question has studied the subject in a book, yet she maybe implying that while proficient, his kissing lacks originality
Finally I will discuss the background of the play. The play is a tragedy. The idea of tragedy originates in Greek drama. For such a play to fulfil its definition it must have a tragic hero who is of high but not perfect standing. In the Romeo and Juliet script, Romeo is from a high calibre family, however he is not the highest member in his family. A tragic flaw leads to a downfall. Juliet drinks a time delaying poison, which Friar Laurence has given her, however due to the untimely arrival of a letter informing Romeo of the situation. Romeo does not know about the plan for them to spend their lives together therefore when Romeo finds her body entombed he too drinks a poison and kills himself. When Juliet's potion wears off, she awakens to find her lover's corpse. She then proceeds to stab herself with Romeo's dagger. The tragedy was a defect sparked off by their sentimentality for one another. The two deaths led to their families collapsing with sadness for the losses however I fear that it was a rectified solution for the two lovers. For the Capulet and Montague families the tragedy acted as a cleansing of emotions and they managed to share their sorrow, which leads them to make peace with one another.