Much of the preparation for the death of Romeo and Juliet is observed through language. Many references to heavenly, angelic and Godly images such as; ‘a winged messenger of heaven,’ occur, which set the mind faintly for the concept of death without the person realizing it overtly. Romeo repeatedly calls Juliet a ‘bright angel,’ this suggests that Romeo thinks far more of Juliet than a mere homo-sapien. Angels are generally imagined as special beyond-beings who roam the heavens. Heaven is associated with post-death. Romeo states that Juliet is ‘the Sun,’ and later is ‘glorious to this night,’ which places her in an unreachable position of being Romeo’s day and night. This extract again links indirectly to death because, without Juliet, Romeo will be inconsolable. The subtleties brace the viewers for a possible tragedy.
Juliet mentions how Romeo’s name is her only enemy, “‘T is but thy name that is my enemy.” The use of ‘enemy’ means that there is a threat in their relationship which could mean an “end forever.” Juliet had previously underestimated the effect that their names would have; they are likely to prove a tough barrier. She even asks; “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” which means; why are you called Romeo?
Juliet’s impetuous language is almost a metaphor for their relationship which started in Act 1, Scene 5 with a kiss and rapidly progresses toward the altar.
Juliet arranges he own secret wedding which would have amazed the audience since in the 16th Century there were very formal routines for weddings, certainly none organized by the bride and groom, but by the respective families or representatives. Shakespeare is attempting to involve the audience in making judgements about the naivety of the pair and their immaturity. The scrutiny of the respective suitor would have been involved and Romeo would have immediately failed through accident of birth. Shakespeare raises the tension of the scene through the interruptions of the nurse. She is loyal to Juliet to the point that she is desperate to keep their love a secret. She is one who appears to be hovering by the ‘doorway’ ensuring no harm befalls her Juliet. He continuing shouts elevate the scene towards it’s climax, raising the expectations of the audience that great drama is afoot.
In Act 2, Scene 2 Romeo professes undying love for Juliet through the words:
“I am no pilot, yet wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I should adventure for such merchandise,”
These words underline the lengths he would undertake for his Juliet. No request would be left unfulfilled. This echoes his compliance in the death bed scene. The fragility of their Earthly union is swept up in their young love and they seem oblivious to the possible dangers ahead.
The stagecraft has also a major role in priming the audience for potential death. Where Romeo calls Juliet a ‘bright angel’ and a ‘winged messenger of heaven,’ Juliet could be positions on a balcony higher than Romeo giving the audience the idea the idea that she is actually angelic. At the point the director may have a light shone upon her and/or Romeo may be faded out into the background giving more significance to Juliet as she is suppose to be elevated. To also represent this supremacy a radiant Juliet could be clothed in brilliant white.
When Juliet worryingly suggests to the possibility of Romeo possibly being killed if the guards spot him, she may shed a few tears showing the affection, admiration and true love she has for him. The tears act as a metaphor of how she would feel if he were executed, therefore linking the scene with death.
William Shakespeare’s use of language and stage direction enables the audience to understand that for all the couples’ obvious affection their ultimate end will not be romantic. Through his continual use of words associated with the angelic throng there is implicitly an insinuation that death abounds.
By Gurpal Singh Liddar