JULIET:
“Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day.”
- Explanation: Juliet asks Romeo if he is really leaving. She insists that it is still nighttime.
- Analysis: The question reflects Juliet’s reluctance to part with Romeo. The word “wilt” (will) shows her desperation to make him stay.
“It was the nightingale, and not the lark,”
- Explanation: Juliet claims that the bird they heard was a nightingale, which sings at night, rather than a lark, which sings at dawn.
- Analysis: She is trying to deny that morning has arrived. This also symbolizes her wish to delay reality.
“That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear.”
- Explanation: Juliet says the bird’s song has entered Romeo’s ear in a way that makes him afraid.
- Analysis: The word “fearful” suggests that they both dread the coming day, as it means they must separate.
“Nightly she sings on yond pomegranate tree.”
- Explanation: Juliet insists that the nightingale sings every night on the pomegranate tree outside.
- Analysis: The pomegranate tree is symbolic of love and fertility, reinforcing their deep connection.
“Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.”
- Explanation: Juliet pleads with Romeo to trust her—she wants to believe they still have more time.
- Analysis: The repetition of “believe me” adds emotional intensity, showing her longing to hold onto the night.
ROMEO:
“It was the lark, the herald of the morn,”
- Explanation: Romeo corrects Juliet, saying it was the lark, a bird that signals morning.
- Analysis: “Herald” (messenger) emphasizes that the morning cannot be ignored—it is an inevitable truth.
“No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks”
- Explanation: He insists that it wasn’t the nightingale. He tells Juliet to look at the streaks of light in the sky.
- Analysis: The word “envious” gives the light a negative tone—day is stealing away their time together.
“Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east.”
- Explanation: The morning light is weaving through the clouds, breaking them apart.
- Analysis: The verb “lace” creates a delicate, artistic image, while “severing” (cutting apart) symbolizes their painful separation.
“Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day”
- Explanation: The stars (night’s candles) have faded, and a cheerful morning has arrived.
- Analysis: The metaphor of “candles” suggests night was warm and comforting, while “jocund” (joyful) contrasts Romeo’s sorrow.
“Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain-tops.”
- Explanation: The morning seems eager, standing on its toes at the mountaintops.
- Analysis: The personification of day standing on tiptoe suggests excitement, but Romeo does not share this joy.
“I must be gone and live, or stay and die.”
- Explanation: Romeo says he must leave to survive, or stay and risk death.
- Analysis: The contrast between “live” and “die” highlights the danger he faces. This also foreshadows their tragic fate.
JULIET:
“Yond light is not daylight, I know it, I.”
- Explanation: Juliet insists that the light they see is not from the sun.
- Analysis: Her repeated “I know it, I” shows her strong denial of reality.
“It is some meteor that the sun exhaled”
- Explanation: She imagines that the light is a meteor, not sunrise.
- Analysis: The personification of the sun “exhaling” makes it seem gentle, unlike the harsh reality of day.
“To be to thee this night a torchbearer”
- Explanation: She claims the meteor was sent to guide Romeo safely to Mantua.
- Analysis: The imagery of a “torchbearer” suggests protection, love, and guidance.
“And light thee on thy way to Mantua.”
- Explanation: She pretends the light is there to help Romeo travel, not to separate them.
- Analysis: She twists reality to comfort herself, showing her desperation.
“Therefore stay yet. Thou need’st not to be gone.”
- Explanation: She urges him to stay, claiming there is no real need to leave.
- Analysis: This final plea reflects her deep sadness and inability to accept their parting.
ROMEO:
“Let me be ta’en; let me be put to death.”
- Explanation: Romeo says he would rather be caught and killed than leave Juliet.
- Analysis: This shows his deep love and devotion. His willingness to die rather than part from Juliet foreshadows his later fate.
“I am content, so thou wilt have it so.”
- Explanation: He tells Juliet that if she wants him to stay, he will, even if it means death.
- Analysis: Romeo is romanticizing death, making it seem like a small price to pay for love.
“I’ll say yon gray is not the morning’s eye;”
- Explanation: He will pretend that the gray light in the sky is not morning approaching.
- Analysis: The “morning’s eye” is a metaphor for the sun. Romeo is trying to deny reality for Juliet’s sake.
“’Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia’s brow.”
- Explanation: He claims the light is only the moon’s reflection, not the sunrise.
- Analysis: “Cynthia” refers to the moon (named after the goddess Artemis). The imagery of the moon suggests night is still present, which Romeo wants to believe.
“Nor that is not the lark whose notes do beat”
- Explanation: He insists that the bird they hear is not the lark.
- Analysis: The double negative (“nor that is not”) emphasizes his denial.
“The vaulty heaven so high above our heads.”
- Explanation: He says the lark does not sing up in the sky.
- Analysis: The imagery of the “vaulty heaven” (high, arched sky) gives a sense of distance and separation.
“I have more care to stay than will to go.”
- Explanation: He wants to stay with Juliet more than he wants to leave for safety.
- Analysis: His contrast between “care” and “will” shows his emotional struggle—love vs. survival.
“Come death and welcome. Juliet wills it so.”
- Explanation: Romeo says if Juliet wants him to stay, he will, even if it means death.
- Analysis: This is hyperbolic (exaggerated) language, showing how love blinds him to danger.
“How is ’t, my soul? Let’s talk. It is not day.”
- Explanation: Romeo calls Juliet “my soul” and suggests they continue talking because it is not yet morning.
- Analysis: His affectionate tone and denial of the morning reveal how desperately he wants to hold onto this moment.
JULIET:
“It is, it is. Hie hence, begone, away!”
- Explanation: Juliet now accepts the truth—morning has come, and Romeo must leave. She urges him to go quickly.
- Analysis: The repetition of “it is” shows her shift from denial to reality.
“It is the lark that sings so out of tune,”
- Explanation: She acknowledges that the lark is singing, but she dislikes it.
- Analysis: The personification of the lark singing “out of tune” reflects Juliet’s sorrow—it is disrupting their happiness.
“Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps.”
- Explanation: The lark’s song sounds harsh and unpleasant to her.
- Analysis: This is a musical metaphor—”discords” and “sharps” refer to unpleasant musical notes, symbolizing the pain of parting.
“Some say the lark makes sweet division.”
- Explanation: Some people believe the lark sings beautifully, creating harmony.
- Analysis: She contrasts what people say with her own feelings—the lark’s song is painful to her.
“This doth not so, for she divideth us.”
- Explanation: Juliet argues that the lark does not bring harmony but instead separates them.
- Analysis: The wordplay on “division” emphasizes how morning (symbolized by the lark) forces them apart.
“Some say the lark and loathèd toad changed eyes.”
- Explanation: There is an old folk belief that the lark and the toad swapped eyes.
- Analysis: The mythological reference suggests that Juliet wishes the lark were blind so it could not bring the morning.
“O, now I would they had changed voices too,”
- Explanation: She wishes the lark had taken the toad’s ugly croak instead of its song.
- Analysis: This is hyperbole, exaggerating her hatred for the lark’s voice.
“Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray,”
- Explanation: The lark’s song frightens them because it means they must separate.
- Analysis: The imagery of “arm from arm” highlights their physical closeness and the pain of parting.
“Hunting thee hence with hunt’s-up to the day.”
- Explanation: The lark’s song is like a hunting call, chasing Romeo away.
- Analysis: “Hunt’s-up” was a morning song played to wake people, but here, it symbolizes their forced separation.
“O, now begone. More light and light it grows.”
- Explanation: Juliet tells Romeo to leave because the morning light is increasing.
- Analysis: Light, which usually represents hope, now symbolizes sorrow and danger for the lovers.
ROMEO:
“More light and light, more dark and dark our woes.”
- Explanation: As the day gets brighter, their sadness deepens.
- Analysis: This contrast between light and dark is a central theme in Romeo and Juliet. Light, which usually represents good, now signals pain and separation, showing how their love exists in the secrecy of night.
Enter Nurse
The Nurse interrupts, signaling that it is truly time for Romeo to leave. Her presence brings reality crashing down on the lovers, reinforcing their separation.
NURSE:
“Madam.”
- Explanation: The Nurse calls out to Juliet, alerting her.
- Analysis: This is a polite, formal address, signaling that something important is about to happen.
JULIET:
“Nurse?”
- Explanation: Juliet responds to the Nurse.
- Analysis: Juliet is clearly distracted, focused on her love for Romeo, and the urgency of their separation.
NURSE:
“Your lady mother is coming to your chamber. The day is broke; be wary; look about.”
- Explanation: The Nurse informs Juliet that Lady Capulet is coming, and the day has arrived—she should be careful.
- Analysis: The Nurse is warning Juliet that the arrival of morning means the world of reality is intruding on their secret love. “The day is broke” signals the end of the night and their time together.
JULIET:
“Then, window, let day in, and let life out.”
- Explanation: Juliet speaks metaphorically to the window, saying that while the light of day must come in, it also marks the departure of life and love.
- Analysis: The personification of the window emphasizes Juliet’s sadness. The contrast between life and day suggests that while day brings life, it also takes away their precious moments together.
ROMEO:
“Farewell, farewell. One kiss and I’ll descend.”
- Explanation: Romeo bids farewell, requesting one last kiss before he leaves.
- Analysis: The repetition of “farewell” shows how difficult it is for Romeo to leave. The “one kiss” symbolizes both their love and the physical distance they are about to experience.
They kiss, and Romeo descends.
- Explanation: They share one final kiss before Romeo leaves Juliet’s chamber.
- Analysis: This kiss symbolizes the culmination of their love and the beginning of their separation.
JULIET:
“Art thou gone so? Love, lord, ay husband, friend!”
- Explanation: Juliet, now realizing that Romeo is really leaving, addresses him in a mix of affectionate titles: “love,” “lord,” “husband,” and “friend.”
- Analysis: Juliet uses multiple terms of endearment, showing the deep connection she feels to Romeo in various roles, each of them important to her.
“I must hear from thee every day in the hour, For in a minute there are many days.”
- Explanation: Juliet expresses a need to hear from Romeo regularly, since every minute without him feels like an eternity.
- Analysis: The hyperbole of “many days” in a single minute emphasizes how painful and long their separation will feel.
JULIET:
“O, by this count I shall be much in years Ere I again behold my Romeo.”
- Explanation: Juliet predicts that the time until they are reunited will feel like years.
- Analysis: The exaggeration of time underscores the emotional weight of their separation and how the wait will feel endless to her.
ROMEO:
“Farewell. I will omit no opportunity That may convey my greetings, love, to thee.”
- Explanation: Romeo promises to take every chance to send his love to Juliet.
- Analysis: Romeo’s vow demonstrates his commitment, showing how deeply he values their relationship despite the distance.
JULIET:
“O, think’st thou we shall ever meet again?”
- Explanation: Juliet anxiously asks if they will ever see each other again.
- Analysis: This line shows her fear and the uncertainty of their future. She clings to the hope that they will be reunited.
ROMEO:
“I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve For sweet discourses in our times to come.”
- Explanation: Romeo reassures her that they will meet again, and the hardships they face now will one day be fondly remembered.
- Analysis: “Sweet discourses” suggests that even the pain of separation will be cherished as part of their love story in the future. He remains hopeful.
JULIET:
“O God, I have an ill-divining soul!”
- Explanation: Juliet’s intuition tells her something is wrong, and she feels like their separation may be permanent.
- Analysis: Her foreshadowing of doom, with the use of “ill-divining soul,” suggests that she senses something tragic will happen.
JULIET:
“Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.”
- Explanation: Juliet imagines that Romeo, as he leaves, looks like a corpse in a tomb.
- Analysis: This vision is foreshadowing Romeo’s death later in the play. The imagery of the tomb creates a sense of impending doom.
JULIET:
“Either my eyesight fails or thou lookest pale.”
- Explanation: Juliet wonders if it is her vision failing, or if Romeo really looks pale and death-like.
- Analysis: This is another foreshadowing of death. The paleness of Romeo hints at the idea of mortality and reinforces the tragic atmosphere.
ROMEO:
“And trust me, love, in my eye so do you.”
- Explanation: Romeo reassures Juliet that he also looks pale, attributing it to sorrow.
- Analysis: Romeo’s words reflect his deep sorrow, but they also make him seem emotionally distant, as if he is already mentally preparing for the inevitable separation.
ROMEO:
“Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu.”
- Explanation: Romeo says that sorrow is draining their life force, and then bids her farewell again.
- Analysis: The metaphor of “dry sorrow drinking our blood” suggests how their love and grief are exhausting and will lead to their downfall. “Adieu” is French for goodbye, emphasizing the finality of his departure.
JULIET:
“O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle.”
- Explanation: Juliet curses Fortune (fate), calling it fickle and unreliable.
- Analysis: Personifying Fortune as fickle emphasizes Juliet’s frustration with fate, especially in how it keeps her from being with Romeo.
JULIET:
“If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him That is renowned for faith?”
- Explanation: Juliet questions why fate would treat Romeo so cruelly when he is known for his faithfulness.
- Analysis: This line reflects Juliet’s confusion and frustration with fate, as she sees Romeo as loyal and deserving of better treatment.
JULIET:
“Be fickle, Fortune, For then I hope thou wilt not keep him long, But send him back.”
- Explanation: Juliet asks Fortune to be fickle in the hope that it will quickly return Romeo to her.
- Analysis: Juliet is torn between her anger at Fortune and her hope for Romeo’s return. She wishes for the possibility of a better future despite the current separation.
Enter Lady Capulet.
- Explanation: Juliet’s mother enters, signaling the intrusion of reality.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s entrance is a contrast to the intimate moment between Juliet and Romeo. It represents the world of family, duty, and expectations that will soon pull Juliet away from her love.
LADY CAPULET:
“Ho, daughter, are you up?”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet calls out to Juliet, waking her up, signaling the beginning of the day.
- Analysis: This line shows that Lady Capulet is trying to check on her daughter, implying some concern for Juliet’s wellbeing.
JULIET:
“Who is ’t that calls? It is my lady mother. Is she not down so late or up so early? What unaccustomed cause procures her hither?”
- Explanation: Juliet asks who is calling her, then realizes it’s her mother. She questions why Lady Capulet is up so early, as it is unusual for her to be awake at this hour.
- Analysis: Juliet is somewhat surprised by her mother’s early visit, indicating that their interaction is not common at this time. “Unaccustomed cause” suggests that Lady Capulet’s visit is driven by something unexpected or important.
Juliet descends.
- Explanation: Juliet comes down from her room to meet her mother.
- Analysis: This action physically shows Juliet moving away from her private space, a metaphor for leaving her personal emotional turmoil to face the external world (her mother).
LADY CAPULET:
“Why, how now, Juliet?”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet asks in surprise, noticing that Juliet looks upset.
- Analysis: This shows Lady Capulet’s awareness that something is wrong, but she doesn’t yet know the full cause of Juliet’s distress.
JULIET:
“Madam, I am not well.”
- Explanation: Juliet claims that she is feeling unwell, trying to excuse her emotional state.
- Analysis: Juliet’s response is vague, possibly trying to hide the real reason for her distress (her grief over Romeo and the events surrounding him).
LADY CAPULET:
“Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death? What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears? An if thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live. Therefore have done.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet chastises Juliet, accusing her of constantly mourning Tybalt’s death. She sarcastically suggests that Juliet might as well try to wash him from the grave, because no amount of tears can bring him back.
- Analysis: This is a sarcastic and somewhat harsh response, as Lady Capulet seems to have little sympathy for Juliet’s grief. She also implies that Juliet’s weeping is futile and excessive. The idea of trying to “wash him from his grave” is a metaphor for the futility of mourning.
LADY CAPULET:
“Some grief shows much of love, But much of grief shows still some want of wit.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet says that while showing some grief is a sign of love, excessive grief shows a lack of wisdom.
- Analysis: This line reveals Lady Capulet’s practical nature. She believes that over-grieving reflects poorly on one’s intelligence or judgment. “Want of wit” implies that Juliet is being irrational in her mourning.
JULIET:
“Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss.”
- Explanation: Juliet responds, asking to be allowed to weep for her cousin, Tybalt, since she genuinely feels his loss.
- Analysis: Here, Juliet subtly rejects her mother’s pragmatic view of grief, indicating that her sorrow is genuine. This also highlights the difference in their emotional perspectives.
LADY CAPULET:
“So shall you feel the loss, but not the friend Which you weep for.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet tells Juliet that her grief will make her feel the loss, but she will never be able to bring Tybalt back, nor will she get to feel his presence again.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet is essentially telling Juliet to accept the reality of Tybalt’s death. She presents a cold, practical view: grief is normal, but there’s no use in continuing it indefinitely.
JULIET:
“Feeling so the loss, I cannot choose but ever weep the friend.”
- Explanation: Juliet responds by saying that her grief for Tybalt is so strong that she cannot help but mourn him forever.
- Analysis: Juliet’s grief here is deeply sincere and emotional. She rejects the idea of moving on quickly, emphasizing that her sorrow is rooted in her true feelings for Tybalt.
LADY CAPULET:
“Well, girl, thou weep’st not so much for his death As that the villain lives which slaughtered him.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet accuses Juliet of not really grieving Tybalt’s death but instead grieving because Romeo, the “villain” who killed Tybalt, is still alive.
- Analysis: This line marks a shift in Lady Capulet’s understanding. She believes Juliet is mourning the fact that Romeo, her enemy, is still alive and free, rather than grieving Tybalt.
JULIET:
“What villain, madam?”
- Explanation: Juliet asks, pretending to be confused, what her mother means by “villain.”
- Analysis: Juliet is using verbal irony here. She already knows that Lady Capulet refers to Romeo as the villain, but she asks the question to avoid revealing her true allegiance to Romeo, who is indeed the killer of Tybalt.
LADY CAPULET:
“That same villain, Romeo.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet repeats her earlier condemnation of Romeo, calling him a “villain” for killing her nephew, Tybalt.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s bitterness toward Romeo is clear. She sees him solely as a murderer and traitor, blind to Juliet’s true feelings for him.
JULIET, aside:
“Villain and he be many miles asunder.— God pardon him. I do with all my heart, And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart.”
- Explanation: Juliet speaks to herself (aside), acknowledging that Romeo is indeed a “villain,” but she hopes for his forgiveness. She also confesses that, although Romeo has caused her great sorrow, no one else can grieve her heart like he does.
- Analysis: Juliet’s internal conflict is apparent. She outwardly agrees with her mother’s condemnation of Romeo but internally expresses her love and deep sorrow for him. Her use of “villain” here is ironic because she doesn’t truly see him as such.
LADY CAPULET:
“That is because the traitor murderer lives.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet asserts that Juliet’s sorrow comes from the fact that Romeo, the murderer, is still alive.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s perspective is one-dimensional, focusing entirely on revenge and the death of Tybalt. She fails to understand the depth of Juliet’s emotional conflict, seeing Juliet’s grief as merely a reaction to Romeo’s survival.
JULIET:
“Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands. Would none but I might venge my cousin’s death!”
- Explanation: Juliet responds to her mother, saying that she wishes she could take matters into her own hands and avenge Tybalt’s death.
- Analysis: This line is a dramatic irony, as Juliet is secretly in love with Romeo, the very man she claims to want to avenge. It highlights her internal struggle and the conflict between her loyalty to her family and her love for Romeo.
LADY CAPULET:
“We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not. Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua, Where that same banished runagate doth live, Shall give him such an unaccustomed dram That he shall soon keep Tybalt company. And then, I hope, thou wilt be satisfied.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet reassures Juliet that they will get revenge on Romeo. She plans to send someone to Mantua (Romeo’s place of exile) to give him a poisoned drink, ensuring he will die and be with Tybalt.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s response is chilling. She is focused on vengeance and doesn’t recognize Juliet’s internal conflict. She believes that Juliet will be satisfied with Romeo’s death, unaware that Juliet’s grief is much more complicated.
JULIET:
“Indeed, I never shall be satisfied With Romeo till I behold him—dead— Is my poor heart, so for a kinsman vexed.”
- Explanation: Juliet declares that she will never be satisfied until she sees Romeo dead, but her heart contradicts itself by saying it is vexed for Tybalt, her cousin.
- Analysis: This line is full of dramatic irony. Juliet expresses her desire for Romeo’s death but adds that her heart is burdened by her cousin’s death. She is struggling to keep her true feelings hidden while playing the role of a loyal daughter.
JULIET:
“Madam, if you could find out but a man To bear a poison, I would temper it, That Romeo should, upon receipt thereof, Soon sleep in quiet.”
- Explanation: Juliet asks her mother if she can find someone to bring a poison to Romeo so that he can die peacefully.
- Analysis: This is a pivotal moment of irony. Juliet suggests the idea of killing Romeo but frames it as a peaceful act, masking her true intentions. She is actively plotting his death while pretending to be the dutiful daughter avenging Tybalt.
JULIET:
“O, how my heart abhors To hear him named and cannot come to him To wreak the love I bore my cousin Upon his body that hath slaughtered him.”
- Explanation: Juliet claims that her heart abhors hearing Romeo’s name and wishes she could avenge Tybalt’s death by harming him.
- Analysis: This line further emphasizes Juliet’s internal conflict. She expresses deep hatred for Romeo, but it is a facade, as she still loves him. The word “abhors” underscores the intensity of her inner turmoil.
LADY CAPULET:
“Find thou the means, and I’ll find such a man. But now I’ll tell thee joyful tidings, girl.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet agrees to help Juliet find a way to kill Romeo. She then shifts the conversation to what she considers joyful news.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s willingness to assist in the plan reveals her focus on revenge. The abrupt switch to “joyful tidings” is unsettling, as it contrasts sharply with the plot of murder. This demonstrates her emotional distance from Juliet’s true feelings.
JULIET:
“And joy comes well in such a needy time. What are they, beseech your Ladyship?”
- Explanation: Juliet sarcastically remarks that joy would be welcome at such a difficult moment and asks her mother what the joyful news is.
- Analysis: Juliet’s sarcasm is significant. Although she is playing along with her mother’s plan for vengeance, she is also revealing her emotional state. She doesn’t find joy in the situation at all and is instead filled with sadness, confusion, and dread.
LADY CAPULET:
“Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child,”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet announces that Juliet’s father has some important news.
- Analysis: This line introduces the next shift in the scene, where the attention will turn to Lord Capulet. The phrase “careful father” is ironically detached, as Lord Capulet is less concerned with Juliet’s emotional state than with his desire to arrange her marriage to Paris.
LADY CAPULET:
“One who, to put thee from thy heaviness, Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy That thou expects not, nor I looked not for.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet is informing Juliet that someone has planned an unexpected day of happiness for her, meant to lift her out of her sadness.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet is trying to shift Juliet’s focus away from Tybalt’s death by introducing a joyous event—her marriage to Paris. This shows how out of touch Lady Capulet is with Juliet’s true feelings. Juliet’s sorrow is being ignored in favor of this new arrangement.
JULIET:
“Madam, in happy time! What day is that?”
- Explanation: Juliet pretends to be happy about hearing the news, asking about the day, but her response is tinged with sarcasm, foreshadowing her resistance to the marriage.
- Analysis: Juliet’s use of “in happy time” is ironic. While she is being told of an event meant to bring joy, she knows it is not a joyful thing for her. The sarcasm here suggests that she’s not as enthusiastic as her mother thinks.
LADY CAPULET:
“Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn The gallant, young, and noble gentleman, The County Paris, at Saint Peter’s Church Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet announces that Juliet will marry Paris the following Thursday morning, a quick and sudden arrangement.
- Analysis: The suddenness of this marriage proposal highlights how little consideration Juliet’s feelings are given in her household. It also emphasizes the social importance of the match between Juliet and Paris, which Lady Capulet sees as an excellent opportunity for her daughter.
JULIET:
“Now, by Saint Peter’s Church, and Peter too, He shall not make me there a joyful bride! I wonder at this haste, that I must wed Ere he that should be husband comes to woo. I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet, and when I do I swear It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, Rather than Paris. These are news indeed!”
- Explanation: Juliet protests the marriage to Paris. She refuses to marry him and declares that, if she ever marries, it will be Romeo (whom her mother knows she loves, not Paris).
- Analysis: Juliet’s rebellion is evident here. She refuses to accept the marriage to Paris, and in a moment of dramatic irony, she declares that she would rather marry Romeo, the very man her family views as a “villain.” Her frustration with her family’s lack of understanding of her feelings is clear. The reference to “Saint Peter’s Church” underscores the sacredness of marriage, but Juliet sees it as a mockery of her true feelings.
LADY CAPULET:
“Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself, And see how he will take it at your hands.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet, frustrated by Juliet’s refusal, encourages her to express her objections directly to her father, implying that he will not tolerate her disobedience.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s response shows her disappointment in Juliet and an attempt to distance herself from the confrontation. She implies that Juliet’s father will not take kindly to her refusal and will impose his will.
Enter Capulet and Nurse.
CAPULET:
“When the sun sets, the earth doth drizzle dew, But for the sunset of my brother’s son It rains downright.”
- Explanation: Capulet uses a metaphor to describe his grief over Tybalt’s death. While the sunset typically brings dew, his grief is so intense that it is like rain, which is heavier and more overwhelming.
- Analysis: Capulet is deeply mourning Tybalt’s death, which has clearly taken an emotional toll on him. However, the metaphor of rain may also highlight his inability to properly handle his emotions, which manifests in his impulsive decisions.
CAPULET:
“How now, a conduit, girl? What, still in tears? Evermore show’ring? In one little body Thou counterfeits a bark, a sea, a wind. For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, Do ebb and flow with tears; the bark thy body is, Sailing in this salt flood; the winds thy sighs, Who, raging with thy tears and they with them, Without a sudden calm, will overset.”
- Explanation: Capulet chastises Juliet for still grieving Tybalt’s death, comparing her to a ship caught in a storm. He criticizes her for not calming down and insists that her emotional outbursts are excessive.
- Analysis: This speech reveals Capulet’s authoritarian and dismissive attitude toward Juliet’s feelings. He does not understand the depth of her sorrow and instead reduces it to an overreaction, calling her a “conduit” (a channel for tears). The metaphor of the storm highlights how uncontrolled Juliet’s grief seems to him. His response shows his inability to empathize with her and his focus on controlling her emotions.
CAPULET:
“Thy tempest-tossèd body.—How now, wife? Have you delivered to her our decree?”
- Explanation: Capulet refers to Juliet’s emotional state as a tempest-tossed body, implying she is overwhelmed and turbulent with grief. He then turns to Lady Capulet, asking if she has communicated the decision regarding Juliet’s marriage.
- Analysis: Capulet’s use of “tempest-tossed body” highlights Juliet’s emotional turmoil, but it also suggests how he views her grief as something to be controlled. His immediate question to his wife reflects his impatience and desire for Juliet’s obedience.
LADY CAPULET:
“Ay, sir, but she will none, she gives you thanks. I would the fool were married to her grave.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet confirms that Juliet has rejected the marriage, but she does thank them. In frustration, she wishes that Juliet were married to her grave rather than be defiant.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s words reveal her frustration and lack of empathy for Juliet. She is more concerned with Juliet’s obedience than her feelings, and this statement is laden with harshness, suggesting she sees Juliet’s refusal as foolish.
CAPULET:
“Soft, take me with you, take me with you, wife. How, will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? Doth she not count her blessed, Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought So worthy a gentleman to be her bride?”
- Explanation: Capulet is taken aback by Juliet’s refusal. He asks if Juliet is not thankful for being matched with a “worthy” gentleman like Paris, and if she doesn’t consider herself fortunate.
- Analysis: Capulet is indignant that Juliet is not displaying the proper gratitude for being chosen to marry Paris, a match that he considers an honor for her. His reference to her as “unworthy” reflects his dismissive attitude toward Juliet’s autonomy and feelings, seeing her only as an object to be managed.
JULIET:
“Not proud you have, but thankful that you have. Proud can I never be of what I hate, But thankful even for hate that is meant love.”
- Explanation: Juliet explains that she is not proud of the marriage arrangement, but she is thankful for her parents’ efforts, even though their actions stem from what she perceives as misguided love.
- Analysis: Juliet’s response is a careful balance of respect and defiance. She does not want to outright insult her parents, but she subtly rejects their view of what is best for her. She speaks about “hate that is meant love”, acknowledging the conflict between her parents’ intentions and her personal feelings for Romeo.
CAPULET:
“How, how, how, how? Chopped logic? What is this? ‘Proud,’ and ‘I thank you,’ and ‘I thank you not,’ And yet ‘not proud’? Mistress minion you, Thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds, But fettle your fine joints ’gainst Thursday next To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow face!”
- Explanation: Capulet is furious at Juliet’s response, accusing her of contradictory logic. He calls her a “minion,” berating her for not showing proper gratitude and threatening to drag her to the church if she does not comply.
- Analysis: Capulet’s anger escalates, and his insults grow more vicious and dehumanizing. Terms like “green-sickness carrion” (implying she is sickly or weak) and “baggage” (treating her as if she were an unwanted burden) reflect his disrespect and lack of compassion for Juliet. His demands for obedience demonstrate his belief that his authority is absolute, with no room for Juliet’s personal desires.
LADY CAPULET:
“Fie, fie, what, are you mad?”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet is shocked by Capulet’s fury and tries to intervene, expressing disbelief at how he is acting.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s exclamation of “fie, fie” is an attempt to temper Capulet’s anger, though it is not necessarily an effort to defend Juliet. She’s more concerned with Capulet’s extreme reaction than with understanding Juliet’s emotions.
JULIET:
“Good father, I beseech you on my knees, Hear me with patience but to speak a word.”
- Explanation: Juliet kneels, asking her father to listen to her respectfully for just a moment.
- Analysis: Juliet’s humility in this moment contrasts with Capulet’s anger. She seeks a chance to explain herself, demonstrating her desire for some form of understanding or at least the opportunity to have a voice, even if she knows her father will likely dismiss it.
CAPULET:
“Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o’ Thursday, Or never after look me in the face. Speak not; reply not; do not answer me. My fingers itch.—Wife, we scarce thought us blessed”
- Explanation: Capulet dismisses Juliet as a disobedient “baggage” and tells her that if she refuses to marry Paris, she will be disowned. He also expresses his frustration by saying his “fingers itch”, implying an urge to physically discipline her.
- Analysis: Capulet’s rage reaches a breaking point here. His threat to disown Juliet underscores the power dynamic in the family, where his authority is unquestioned. His violent imagery (fingers itching) signals his readiness to punish Juliet physically if she does not obey.
CAPULET:
“That God had lent us but this only child, But now I see this one is one too much, And that we have a curse in having her. Out on her, hilding.”
- Explanation: Capulet expresses deep frustration and anger with Juliet, wishing that she were their only child (perhaps implying the idea of no children at all might be better than the trouble she is causing). He sees her refusal as a curse. The word “hilding” is a derogatory term, suggesting that he sees her as worthless or a burden.
- Analysis: This marks a dramatic shift in Capulet’s attitude. He moves from viewing Juliet as a cherished daughter to seeing her as an obstacle to his plans, showing his increasing authoritarianism and lack of empathy. His words reflect an extreme disappointment in her defiance and a willingness to reject her.
NURSE:
“God in heaven bless her! You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so.”
- Explanation: The Nurse, protective of Juliet, attempts to defend her by calling on God’s blessing and gently suggesting that Capulet is wrong to treat her this way.
- Analysis: The Nurse’s response shows her loyalty to Juliet and a desire to protect her from Capulet’s harsh words. She subtly challenges Capulet’s authority by questioning his treatment of Juliet, though she does so cautiously, aware of the potential consequences of contradicting him.
CAPULET:
“And why, my Lady Wisdom? Hold your tongue. Good Prudence, smatter with your gossips, go.”
- Explanation: Capulet mocks the Nurse’s attempt at wisdom, telling her to remain silent and go gossip with others instead. He dismisses her input as irrelevant.
- Analysis: Capulet’s mockery here reveals his contempt for the Nurse’s interference. He sees her as a mere servant, not someone entitled to challenge him or offer advice. The choice of terms like “Lady Wisdom” and “Prudence” suggests that he is sarcastically acknowledging her age and experience but belittling her nonetheless.
NURSE:
“I speak no treason.”
- Explanation: The Nurse defensively replies, asserting that she is not speaking against the family or the authority of Capulet, but only offering a mild defense of Juliet.
- Analysis: The Nurse tries to defuse the tension by asserting her loyalty, attempting to prevent further conflict with Capulet. However, the phrasing here underscores how even a mild attempt at dissent is considered dangerous in the context of the family’s strict authority.
CAPULET:
“O, God ’i’ g’ eden!”
- Explanation: Capulet exclaims in exasperation, a variation of “God in heaven” expressing disbelief and frustration at the Nurse’s continued interruption.
- Analysis: The exclamation emphasizes Capulet’s impatience and disbelief at the Nurse’s persistence. It also reflects his exasperation at being challenged by someone he perceives as beneath him.
NURSE:
“May not one speak?”
- Explanation: The Nurse questions whether she is not allowed to speak, showing how her frustration and sense of injustice are mounting.
- Analysis: This line indicates the Nurse’s growing frustration and her desire to be heard. It highlights the restrictions placed on those in lower social positions, even when they are trying to protect someone they care for.
CAPULET:
“Peace, you mumbling fool! Utter your gravity o’er a gossip’s bowl, For here we need it not.”
- Explanation: Capulet orders the Nurse to be quiet, telling her that her wisdom is better suited to casual conversations than the serious matters at hand.
- Analysis: The use of “mumbling fool” is a further insult to the Nurse, as Capulet dismisses her wisdom and concerns. His tone shows the complete dismissal of any dissent in his household, reflecting his tyrannical nature.
LADY CAPULET:
“You are too hot.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet tries to intervene, suggesting that Capulet is being too angry and heated in his response to Juliet.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s statement is a mild attempt to calm the situation, but it also shows that she is not fully engaged in defending Juliet. Her role here is more about placating Capulet than offering support to her daughter.
CAPULET:
“God’s bread, it makes me mad. Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play, Alone, in company, still my care hath been To have her matched. And having now provided A gentleman of noble parentage, Of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly ligned, Stuffed, as they say, with honorable parts, Proportioned as one’s thought would wish a man—”
- Explanation: Capulet expresses his frustration at how much effort he has put into arranging Juliet’s marriage. He lists Paris’ many qualities, emphasizing how he is a perfect match for Juliet.
- Analysis: This long soliloquy shows Capulet’s obsession with the marriage and his complete disregard for Juliet’s feelings. He believes that his choice for her is ideal and that she should be grateful. The phrase “stuffed with honorable parts” shows that Capulet is focused more on Paris’ status and family connections than on Juliet’s happiness.
CAPULET (continued):
“And then to have a wretched puling fool, A whining mammet, in her fortune’s tender, To answer ‘I’ll not wed. I cannot love. I am too young. I pray you, pardon me.’ But, an you will not wed, I’ll pardon you! Graze where you will, you shall not house with me.”
- Explanation: Capulet expresses his disappointment and anger that Juliet, despite being offered a perfect match, refuses the marriage. He insults her, calling her a “whining mammet” (a weak doll), and tells her if she doesn’t marry, she will be disowned.
- Analysis: Capulet’s language is cruel and dismissive. The phrase “whining mammet” reduces Juliet to something fragile and dependent, while his threat to disown her reflects his utter lack of empathy. He believes his authority over her is absolute and uses it to coerce her into submission.
CAPULET (continued):
“Look to ’t; think on ’t. I do not use to jest. Thursday is near. Lay hand on heart; advise. An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend.”
- Explanation: Capulet warns Juliet that he is serious and expects her to comply with his wishes. He tells her to think carefully about his offer, giving her a final chance to submit.
- Analysis: The phrase “I do not use to jest” underscores the seriousness of Capulet’s command. He is non-negotiable in his decision, further demonstrating the power and control he exerts over Juliet’s life. He has decided her fate, and she must accept it, or face the consequences.
CAPULET:
“An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee, Nor what is mine shall never do thee good. Trust to ’t; bethink you. I’ll not be forsworn.”
- Explanation: Capulet makes a final, harsh threat to Juliet, telling her that if she refuses to marry Paris, she will be left destitute and cast out of his life. He refuses to acknowledge her or help her if she defies him.
- Analysis: Capulet’s words reflect the absolute power he holds over Juliet. This is a cruel ultimatum, showing that he cares more about his social standing and pride than his daughter’s happiness or well-being. His refusal to be “forsworn” emphasizes his inflexibility and rigidity in this matter.
JULIET:
“Is there no pity sitting in the clouds That sees into the bottom of my grief?— O sweet my mother, cast me not away. Delay this marriage for a month, a week, Or, if you do not, make the bridal bed In that dim monument where Tybalt lies.”
- Explanation: Juliet, in deep despair, wonders if there is no divine pity for her suffering. She pleads with her mother to delay the marriage to Paris, even asking for just a brief reprieve. If that’s impossible, she wishes for death in the tomb with Tybalt, showing her overwhelming sorrow.
- Analysis: Juliet’s words reflect her hopelessness and desperation. She feels utterly trapped in her situation, unable to escape her father’s demands and the looming marriage to Paris. The symbolism of Tybalt’s tomb underscores Juliet’s desire to escape to death rather than live in a forced marriage. This shows the depth of her emotional turmoil.
LADY CAPULET:
“Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.”
- Explanation: Lady Capulet responds coldly, refusing to engage with Juliet’s plea. She tells her daughter to do as she wishes because she feels she is done with her.
- Analysis: Lady Capulet’s indifference here highlights her lack of emotional connection to Juliet. She seems disconnected from her daughter’s plight and is more focused on supporting her husband’s wishes than empathizing with Juliet’s distress. This abandonment of Juliet shows the emotional neglect and isolation Juliet faces in her family.
JULIET (rising):
“O God! O nurse, how shall this be prevented? My husband is on Earth, my faith in heaven. How shall that faith return again to Earth Unless that husband send it me from heaven By leaving Earth? Comfort me; counsel me.”
- Explanation: Juliet cries out to the Nurse, seeking help in preventing her marriage to Paris. She references Romeo, her husband, and the conflict between her faith in him and the reality of his banishment. She desperately asks for counsel on how she can reunite with him.
- Analysis: Juliet’s words here show her struggle between her devotion to Romeo and the inescapable reality of their separation. The contrast between “faith in heaven” and “husband on Earth” emphasizes the spiritual conflict she feels—caught between her love for Romeo and the constraints imposed on her by her family. This is a tragic moment where Juliet sees no path forward except for Romeo’s return.
JULIET (continued):
“Alack, alack, that heaven should practice stratagems Upon so soft a subject as myself. What sayst thou? Hast thou not a word of joy? Some comfort, nurse.”
- Explanation: Juliet laments that fate or heaven is playing tricks on her, as if she’s too innocent and vulnerable to withstand such cruelty. She asks the Nurse for comfort and help, seeking a glimmer of hope.
- Analysis: The word “stratagems” suggests that Juliet feels manipulated by a higher power, adding to the sense of helplessness and victimization she experiences. Her call for joy or comfort shows her deep yearning for some positive resolution, a desire to escape the heavy sorrow weighing on her.
NURSE:
“Faith, here it is. Romeo is banished, and all the world to nothing That he dares ne’er come back to challenge you, Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married with the County. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! Romeo’s a dishclout to him. An eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart,”
- Explanation: The Nurse coldly offers a solution to Juliet’s dilemma: marry Paris. She describes Paris in flattering terms, praising him as handsome and noble while insulting Romeo by comparison.
- Analysis: The Nurse’s words are deeply betraying to Juliet. While she once helped Juliet and Romeo’s love, she now abruptly switches loyalties to Paris, suggesting that Juliet should marry him instead. The comparison of Romeo to a “dishclout” and Paris to an “eagle” reveals how the Nurse has shifted her allegiance to a more pragmatic solution, betraying Juliet’s true desires. Her decision to advise Juliet to marry Paris shows her practicality, but also her lack of loyalty to Juliet’s love for Romeo. The phrase “Beshrew my very heart” might be a form of self-pity or a guilt she feels for betraying Juliet’s trust.
NURSE:
“I think you are happy in this second match, For it excels your first, or, if it did not, Your first is dead, or ’twere as good he were As living here and you no use of him.”
- Explanation: The Nurse tries to convince Juliet that Paris is a better match than Romeo, implying that since Romeo is banished, he is essentially dead to her. The Nurse suggests that Paris is a more practical choice.
- Analysis: The Nurse’s words reveal her pragmatism and lack of loyalty to Juliet’s true feelings. She emphasizes survival and security over romantic love, using the situation’s harsh realities to push Juliet toward accepting Paris. This highlights the theme of duty vs. love, where the Nurse encourages Juliet to make a choice based on social expectations rather than personal emotion.
JULIET:
“Speak’st thou from thy heart?”
- Explanation: Juliet questions whether the Nurse’s advice is genuine, asking if she is speaking sincerely or just offering practical advice.
- Analysis: Juliet’s question shows her growing distrust and disillusionment with the Nurse. She’s searching for authenticity in the Nurse’s words but is unsure whether the advice comes from a place of true care or merely pragmatic concern.
NURSE:
“And from my soul too, else beshrew them both.”
- Explanation: The Nurse insists that she is speaking sincerely, swearing on her soul that she believes Paris is the better choice.
- Analysis: The Nurse’s response further cements her position that Juliet should accept Paris. However, it also undermines the Nurse’s earlier role as a confidante for Juliet’s true desires. The Nurse’s tone becomes somewhat forced as she pushes for practicality, showing that her allegiance to Juliet’s romantic love is fading.
JULIET:
“Amen.”
- Explanation: Juliet’s brief response is a disengaged acknowledgment of the Nurse’s words, marking her emotional detachment from the Nurse’s advice.
- Analysis: Juliet’s short reply reflects her dissatisfaction and inner conflict. She may be questioning whether she can trust the Nurse’s guidance anymore, as her feelings for Romeo are at odds with the Nurse’s practical advice to marry Paris.
JULIET (continued):
“Well, thou hast comforted me marvelous much.”
- Explanation: Juliet sarcastically thanks the Nurse, masking her true feelings of hurt and betrayal behind this comment.
- Analysis: Juliet’s use of sarcasm is a defense mechanism. She is masking her deep pain and disillusionment with a veneer of civility. This shows her inner turmoil, as she no longer finds comfort in the Nurse’s counsel, which once provided her support.
JULIET (continued):
“Go in and tell my lady I am gone, Having displeased my father, to Lawrence’ cell To make confession and to be absolved.”
- Explanation: Juliet tells the Nurse that she is leaving to seek confession at Friar Laurence’s cell, claiming that she’s going to apologize to her father. She’s planning to seek help from Friar Laurence and avoid marriage to Paris.
- Analysis: Juliet’s decision to seek Friar Laurence’s counsel shows her resourcefulness and resolve to avoid the marriage. Her reference to confession and absolution may be a way to cover her tracks with her family, masking her true intentions to escape her forced marriage.
NURSE:
“Marry, I will; and this is wisely done.”
- Explanation: The Nurse agrees to deliver the message to Lady Capulet, thinking Juliet’s actions are wise in light of her family’s demands.
- Analysis: The Nurse’s response shows her blind adherence to the practical solution of the moment, even if it doesn’t align with Juliet’s true desires. This further distances her from Juliet’s emotional struggles, highlighting the emotional rift that’s forming between them.
JULIET (soliloquy):
“Ancient damnation, O most wicked fiend! Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue Which she hath praised him with above compare So many thousand times? Go, counselor.”
- Explanation: Juliet reflects angrily on the situation, condemning the Nurse for betraying her by advising her to marry Paris. Juliet questions whether it’s a greater sin to forswear her marriage vows to Romeo or to speak ill of him, someone she once praised.
- Analysis: This is a moment of realization for Juliet, where she fully understands the betrayal of the Nurse. She is now questioning her own loyalty to Romeo versus her loyalty to the Nurse and family. Her reflection on the contradiction between the Nurse’s praise of Romeo and her current advice to marry Paris highlights the emotional conflict Juliet feels.
JULIET (continued):
“Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. I’ll to the Friar to know his remedy. If all else fail, myself have power to die.”
- Explanation: Juliet decides to sever ties with the Nurse and seek help from Friar Laurence. She declares that she has the power to end her life if all other options fail.
- Analysis: Juliet’s decision to reject the Nurse marks a significant turning point in her emotional journey. She is no longer able to rely on the Nurse for support, and the autonomy she claims in saying she has the power to die shows just how desperate and determined she has become. Juliet’s fate is now in her own hands, and her willingness to die reflects how much she values Romeo and her freedom over anything else.
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