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Introduction

Literature ( Romeo and Juliet) 1) Read carefully Act 3 Scene 2 ? Trace Juliet's feelings throughout this scene. What characteristics of Juliet are evident here? At the beginning of the scene, Juliet eagerly anticipates for Romeo's coming, and beckons for nightfall where she will consummate her marriage with Romeo in the night. She is agitated and impatient, and she calls for time to pass quickly so it will be night, "Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, towards Phoebus's lodging; such a wagoner as Phaeton would whip you to the wet, and bring in cloudy night immediately." She wants time to speed quickly as seen from the adjectives she uses to describe swiftness, with the fire and excitement of young love. She wishes that Romeo would arrive at that very moment with night, and calls for night to come four times, calling the night 'cloudy', 'civil', 'full of light (day)', 'gentle' and 'black-browed'. Night for her is beautiful, one that encompasses many silent mysteries, one that is both serious and mild. Juliet is brimming with eager anticipation for Romeo's return, and waiting for her seems very long. She longs for her Romeo to 'leap to these arms' and states 'Give me my Romeo', showing her fervent wish for Romeo to arrive so that 'love-performing night' can have its way. She uses two images to describe how she feels, the first being how she longs to consummate the marriage, "O I have bought the mansion of a love, but not possessed it." Her gentle sigh of 'O' here shows her wistful and hoping heart that Romeo would soon come so that they can be together again. The second example shows her feelings of impatience, such of that like a petulant young child, "So tedious is this day as is the night before some festival to an impatient child that hath new robes and may not wear them.", describing her wait as 'tedious', or almost painful to bear. ...read more.

Middle

At the last point, she told the nurse to "give this ring to my true knight, and bid him come to take his last farewell." We see her thoughtful and perceptive nature, as she chooses to give Romeo the ring to show Romeo that she is on his side and reassure Romeo that all is well. We can see her complete devotion and loyalty to Romeo and deep love for Romeo to still stay by his side despite the snowballing of ghastly events. ? What are your impressions of the Nurse here? Does she seem to be a good confidante to Juliet? The Nurse comes off as insensitive and inconsiderate here. From the moment she comes in to deliver the news, she does not make the information clear to Juliet, only declaring mournfully "Ah weraday, he's dead, he's dead, he's dead!" and mentions Romeo in her speeches without stating clearly that Tybalt was the one killed. She takes a long time to reveal the truth to Juliet, causing her a lot of unnecessary grief and shock that would have otherwise been lessened if the correct news had been revealed earlier. Although she knows that Juliet is confused and is in sadness, to the point that Juliet says that she is heart broken, "O break my heart, poor bankrupt, break at once!", she still does not make any point to clear up the misunderstandings and only reveals the truth when Juliet pursues it further. She does not take into consideration Juliet's feelings and dragged her mourning, without caring for the feelings of Juliet. If she had been sensitive and considerate, she would have broken the news to Juliet gently, and not in such a haphazard manner. The nurse also strikes me as artificial and exaggerated. Her mourning is all done in a repetitive and mournful tone, "Alack the day, he's gone, he's killed, he's dead" and "These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old". ...read more.

Conclusion

All these things were to be rejoiced for. When Romeo brushed all these aside, he chided him gently, "O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! And turned that black word death to banishment, this is dear mercy, and thou seest it not", telling him to be thankful for the Prince's mercy and constantly reminding Romeo that if not for this pardon, Romeo would have been dead by then. He chides Romeo for his lack of appreciation and tells him to appreciate what he has now, and accept philosophy into his ears. The Friar is also an encouraging and sincere man. He chides Romeo gently, "Hold thy desperate hand, art thou a man?", for his womanish behaviour, crying and bawling like a petulant young child and not facing up to who he was and acting like a man. He advised Romeo to face the situation like a man and remember his responsibilities, "Will thou slay thyself, and slay thy lady that in thy life lives, by doing damned hate upon thyself?", helping Romeo to see things in perspective and to appreciate what he had at present. He also tells Romeo to put his qualities to good use and not abuse them, "Which like a usurer abound'st in all, and usest none in that true use indeed", telling him not to destroy his capabilities with ignorance. The Friar gives Romeo hope and courage when he needs it. The Friar is a good confidante. He comforts, advises, philosophises and chides. He tries his best to meet the needs of Romeo in every way possible, and gives Romeo reasonable and practical advice. He understands what Romeo needs and sets to help him out and offer advice when it is needed. When Romeo was at a lost of what to do, he came up with a detailed plan for Romeo to follow. As a friend and advisor, he plays his part well. ...read more.

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