Romeo and Juliet's Balcony Scene

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William Shakespeare's highly acclaimed play 'Romeo and Juliet' explores 'two star-crossed' lovers declaring undying love for one another, juxtaposing the hate and the violence of the two feuding households. Their forbidden love leads to tragic consequences, such as their 'untimely death'. However, against the backdrop of hate blood and 'mutiny' lies the pure, innocent love of Romeo and Juliet. The plays most famous love scene, act 2 scene 2, shows these young lovers expressing an undying love.

This beautiful and poetic scene has a thrilling element of danger, this is because Romeo is placing his life on the line by being in the Capulet orchard just to see his love Juliet. We as an audience know it is dangerous for them to be together as Juliet states 'This is the place of death considering who thou art,' this quote demonstrates that even Juliet fears for Romeo's safety. However, Romeo is unaware of the danger and is being very naive, for he states in lines 71-73 that there is more danger in Juliet rejecting him than 'twenty swords'. This quote frustrates the audience, as he is laughing in the face of danger, too consumed by his love for Juliet. Romeo's recklessness and impulsive behaviour presents him as being foolish and almost immune to the dangers. Furthermore, Tybalt's warning at the masque ball, 'This intrusion now seeming sweet will convert to bitterest gall' also explores the theme of danger. This threat of revenge makes the audience tense because of Tybalt's violent nature. If Romeo caught is by Tybalt we know that he will show no mercy, for he hates the word 'peace'. Moreover, the Prince's warning heightens the sense of danger. His words 'If thou shall ever disturb the peace of these streets again, your life...

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...are usually associated with these characteristics. Ultimately these phrases that show religious imagery suggest that Romeo uses them to idolise her, as he is the pilgrim and is worshiping the holy saint. Shakespeare uses a range of phrases associated with nature. One of them being that he uses the rose to symbolise their romantic love. He also refers to the sea which portrays how deep and vast their blossoming, teenage love really is. Evidently, the constant references to nature throughout this scene suggests that their love simply is natural.

To conclude, it is clear Romeo and Juliet were just two teenage lovers and victims of their tragic fate. It was fate that lead them to each other, fate that they fell in love and it was fate which lead to their 'untimely death'. Ultimately, all that love and romance in this scene only driven them to their graves.

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