The Balcony scene is one of the most famous in all of Shakespeare by careful reference to the text try to account for it's fame and romantic appeal

The love of Romeo describes Juliet in terms of nature to express his admiration for her beauty 'the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars'. Juliet also expresses her love for Romeo deeply. Juliet says how her love resembles the sea. 'My bounty is as boundless as the sea , my love as deep , the more I give to thee , the more I have, for both are infinite'. This statement refers to her love as deep as the sea and the more she gives, the more she receives. The love they have for each other is compared to as sweet as roses and birds that sing. They are all things to do with nature signifies purity and beauty .

Romeo describes Juliet as a light in darkness. It makes Juliet sound more beautiful and shows how to Romeo, Juliet stands out from everything. 'But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east , and Juliet is the sun'. She is his source of light. Their love is also referred to radiant and life giving as the sun.

Shakespeare uses religious image to describe . He makes it seem sacred, pure and holy. It transcends our human existence. Romeo calls Juliet a 'saint' and a 'bright angel'. Shakespeare uses these images to show us that Romeo does not just love Juliet, he worships her. He mentions phrases like eyes in heaven signifying her beauty , baptised- when all sins are washed away therefore one becomes holy and receives new life. The description of her as a messenger of heaven makes her seem like she is special and as if she was 'god sent'. All these pure and spirit that Romeo compares her to shows how sincere and genuine he is towards Juliet. It shows how his loves comes from deep within. Romeo and Juliet's love contrasts with the hate of the feud.

The love scene are separated from the rest of the play signifying its difference. The lovers exist outside the feuding and quarrelling. Their love is shown as eternal and pure also at times is motivated by physical desire. This is reflected in the kind of language and imagery the lovers use. 'Deny they father and refuse thy name'. Juliet is unaware that Romeo is hiding below in the garden says that she does not care that he is a Montague. She says that if a rose were called by a different name it would still smell as sweet, Juliet uses an image of a beautiful flower to talk about Romeo. When she describes her ears drinking in Romeo's words which implies that all her senses are awakened by her love for him.

Juliet immediate instincts is that Romeo is in danger. 'If they do see thee, they will murder thee'. Juliet is referring to her kingsmen. The fear of Romeo crossing his territory . Romeo is fearless and believes he is protected by their love. 'And I am proof against their enmity'. Romeo tries to reassure Juliet that he is not in danger by telling her that he is protected against their hatred.

Romeo and Juliet have this yearning desire to touch 'a glove upon that hand that I could touch that cheek'. A strong feeling of intense longing.It is the tension between his overwhelming desire and his resourceful manor that shows how much he truly loves her. Juliet is thinking through the consequences of their love more systematically and practically than Romeo. Having once proclaimed her love, the font of Juliet's expressiveness is unstopped, and she becomes the dominant figure in the rest of the scene. Juliet is so overwhelmed by Romeo's presence that she cannot remember why she called him back. Romeo is sexually attracted to Juliet because on numerous occasions makes a lot of sexual utterances. 'sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast. Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest'. The way they consistently refer to sex to justify there attraction to each other.

Shakespeare portrays love in such a common situation but making it seem unrealistic. He uses such beautiful imagery and poetic language. It shows the deep affection Romeo and Juliet have for each other. Shakespeare makes the love of both Romeo and Juliet seem unnatural that Romeo thinks he is dreaming, 'being in night, all this is but a dream'. Love is not self seeking or obsessive. Love is shown through action.

Ife Edeki 10RK