Romeo and Juliet Group
Question:
nazeesh786
Student
High School - 9th Grade
Describe Romeo and Juliet's Language.
Describe the language that Shakespeare uses when Romeo and Juliet speak to one another, particularly when they first meet and in the Balcony Scene. How does their language help readers understand the depth of their love?
Answers:
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reidalot Teacher
College - FreshmanPosted by reidalot on Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 12:30 PMShakespeare uses poetic language heavy with metaphor upon the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet is a light; a rich jewel, a snowy dove all at once (1.5.46-50).Then she becomes a holy shrine and his two lips are pilgrims. Their love is immediately likened to a holy, pure love elevating their feelings beyond what any two young people would feel at their first meeting (1.5.95-111). At the end of Act I, Juliet says, "If he is married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed" (1.5.136-137); so we know this is no typical infatuation. In the Balcony scene, Juliet is likened to the sun and an angel. They vow their everlasting love to each other, and Juliet asks Romeo whether his purpose be marriage. The intensity of their emotion is heightened by the speed of their relationship. The scene ends with Juliet's "parting is such sweet sorrow..."(2.2.184) ; the promise of young love and a tomorrow the lovers never really have to share that love.
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