Monday, September 28, 2015

How does the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet exemplify the poetics of love?

Although there are many ways we can examine how Romeo and Juliet's love is exemplified through their poetry in the balcony scene, the interpretation is always also your own, as with so much of Shakespeare's work.
This scene, however, is special because Shakespeare has given us a challenge. He has placed the characters far from each other. Juliet is high on a balcony, while Romeo is on the ground speaking up to her.
Though each character does use the word "love" directly several times, there are many other elements we can identify that show that this is not just an everyday kind of love.
In the balcony scene, they are speaking in blank verse. They don't use rhymes, which we usually hear when lovers speak to each other. We might interpret Shakespeare's use of blank verse here as suggesting that the pair are speaking direct and true. No nonsense.

JULIET: "And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the world."

These words seem to represent blank verse very well. What she is saying is very clear and to the point, and also perhaps foreshadows what is to come.
We can also look at the imagery in this scene.

JULIET: "This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet."

It is best to ask yourself how you feel when you hear the words summer, flower, and breath. Does it seem to signify something sinister and dark or something sweet and innocent?
Lastly, a poetic tool Shakpesare uses often is "O." "O," or more specifically the poetic device called apostrophe, signifies great emotion. For example, when Romeo says,

"O, speak again, bright angel!"

we know he is experiencing something overwhelming.

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