Romeo and Juliet - The two soliloquies express two totally different emotions - Discuss.

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Zoé Reynolds 10G _                04/05/2007

How well are Juliet’s feelings conveyed by the

 language of the two

soliloquies?

The two soliloquies express two totally different emotions. In each, there are different situations, one in which Juliet is longing for the time when Romeo will come to her for their wedding night where feelings of excitement and anticipation are portrayed. The opposing situation expresses feelings of fear, the fear of what would happen to her if she were to take the potion given to her by Friar Lawrence in order to try to prevent her from having to marry Paris. Although the soliloquies contrast in situation and emotion, the ways in which the feelings are portrayed are very similar.

        In the first soliloquy, where Juliet is filled with anxiety and anticipation, waiting for the time when Romeo will come to her that night, the language Shakespeare uses creates a light joy-filled mood and an audience can feel the anticipation which Juliet is experiencing. “Come…Come” repetition is used throughout the soliloquy, which shows just how impatient Juliet is for the night to come. Words expressing speed are used frequently during the speech, “Gallop apace” “fiery footed” to reinforce Juliet’s impatience. She is longing for the time when Romeo comes to her that she wants it to come as fast as possible, so uses words to inflict speed to show this to the audience.

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        Juliet describes Romeo as the light, just as he had done to her when they first met. “Cut him out in little stars” Juliet describes how he will be scattered in the sky, and how everyone will then prefer night to day as they will see Romeo in the sky. “Pay no worship to the garish sun.” throughout the soliloquy.  Juliet describes that night is “gentle” a time when everything will be perfect, and a time that everyone will love, as opposed to day. Shakespeare writes in long sentences which mean that the audience would be aware of the actress ...

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