Shakespeare makes this play very deep and detailed, with expansive use of Juxtaposition such as life and death. Another character that the audience learn of is Paris, a young nobleman, who is also kinsman to the prince. The aim of the ball was originally to be a preliminary point for Juliet and Paris’ relationship. Paris also asks Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage; however Lord Capulet feels that Juliet is not ‘ripe to be a bride’. However Romeo also arrives at the ball, to catch a glimpse of his supposed love, Rosaline, it is this ball which brings the couple closer and promotes a passionate love.
Possibly the most effective of these events is Romeo’s passionate soliloquy, in which he expresses his feelings towards Juliet. This emotional eruption is triggered by a pivotal moment, when he first sees Juliet.
Romeo’s soliloquy’s opening two lines are, ’O she doth teaches the torches to burn bright, it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night’. We immediately find out that Romeo is riveted by Juliet. By saying this, he is fictionally describing her as standing out between the other members of audience and fire is usually an element of surprise. This implies that he is affected by her presence. The second line tells us that she is not like the other girls and Romeo uses effective yet intimate imagery to portray this.
The third and fourth lines are also using expansive use of imagery:’ as rich as a jewel in an Ethiop’s ear- beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!’ Romeo’s contemplation towards Juliet results in his speech and these purely imaginative lines show this. An Ethiop’s ear is a very dark brown, practically black in colour and when Romeo amalgamates the use of ‘a rich jewel’ and an Ethiop’s ear, it purely captivates the audience and implies clever use of Juxtaposition and a complementary statement.
He describes Juliet as ‘...- beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!’ here Romeo shows, enthusiastically, how affectionate he is. He exemplifies her as too good for the earth and furthermore valuable. This unmistakably shows the integrity of his first glance corresponding to Juliet.
The remainder of his soliloquy is predominantly aimed at the fact of Juliet’s purity, as he says: ‘she is a snowy dove amongst crows’. Crows are generally seen upon as pests and d a dove is a lovable and a gentle creature, so here he is saying that she is a gentle creature amongst a herd of unwanted guests with no value compared to her. In some cases, white is also epitomized as a sign of purity, and he is also calling her pure. This is yet another enhanced, flamboyant use of Juxtaposition. The remainder of the soliloquy tell us that Romeo is saying if he touches her, he will become pure and his intellectual integration of imagery and rhyme tell us that he thinks Juliet is impeccable.
As soon as Romeo’s soliloquy is terminated, Tybalt is in doubt and infuriated and is tempted to strike Romeo as he thinks Romeo is impertinent towards him and discourteous towards them and their family honour. Tybalt is a general ‘firestarter’, resolving every matter with violent conduct. Tybalt will only feel complacent if he does something to obstruct Romeo diminishing their family honour.
He immediately says: ‘this by his voice should be a Montague’, which exhibits his anger against The Montague household, resulting in his impulsive outburst. But before he commits anything catastrophic, Lord Capulet brings him to a halt. Lord Capulet does not want any violence as warned by the prince. He also would not want to stain his family honour. Tybalt immediately says that if he gets a chance, he will not hesitate to attack him; ‘to strike him dead, I hold it not a sin’.
Immediately after this incident, Romeo decides to take action as he now knows what real love is. Romeo takes Juliet’s hand and engages into conversation. He says: ‘If I profane...’ to ‘...holy palmers kiss’. He says that his hand is unworthy compared to hers and he is generally asking her for a kiss. She accepts the offer and they have a kiss. He asks again and she kisses him a second time.
She also praises him for his unique kissing talents baring in mind that a kiss then would have been a sin in them days and is not as seen to in modern times. In that type of social life, a kiss was more significant and she is also one of the most popular person’s daughter so it is going to ruin their reputation. Romeo and Juliet also use a vast range of religious language such as palmers, sin, and pilgrim ETC this shows that their kiss was not just a one-off, however it was deep and passionate and almost a religious experience to both of them.
By Aitshaam Shahzad 10SRA 10Bronte