What are five examples of couplets in Act 2, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet?
Act II, Scene 2, often referred to as the balcony scene, of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is considered one of drama's most popular and famous scenes. In this scene, Romeo climbs over a wall into the Capulet orchard to catch another glimpse of Juliet. He has known the girl for only a few minutes but is already head over heels in love with her. They exchange words of love and Romeo proposes marriage, which Juliet, despite the bitter feud between her family and his, accepts.
A couplet is simply two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. There are several examples of couplets in this scene and throughout the play. On a side note, notice that only those who are wealthy or of noble birth speak in couplets. The servants never do. Of course, Romeo and Juliet come from two of the most prominent families in Verona, so they often speak in couplets.
A good first example, and one which reinforces Shakespeare's theme of dark and light, is uttered by Romeo as he stands watching Juliet from below her balcony. He says in lines 22-23,
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
Romeo: Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.Juliet: If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Good night, good night. As sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast.
The two exchange goodbyes a few times and at one point Romeo uses a metaphor comparing himself to a schoolboy who loves to leave his books and go to his girlfriend in lines 166-168:I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu.—
Anon, good nurse.—Sweet Montague, be true.
When they finally do part company, Juliet recites possibly the most famous couplet in the entire play. She says, in lines 199-201:Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their
books,
But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.
The last couplets of the scene are in the final lines, after Juliet has exited. Romeo tells the audience in an aside that he is too excited to sleep and needs to speak to Friar Laurence right away. In lines 202-205 Romeo says:Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet
sorrow
That I shall say “Good night” till it be morrow.
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast.
Would I were sleep and peace so sweet to rest.
Hence will I to my ghostly friar’s close cell,
His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell.
What are some examples of rhyming couplets in Romeo and Juliet?
If you look at the end of each scene in the play, you will likely find a rhyming couplet, though there will certainly be other places where they show up; however, the ends of scenes are a good place to start to search for appropriate examples.
At the end of Act 1, scene 1, you'll find a rhyming couplet shared between Romeo and Benvolio. Romeo says, "Farewell. Thou canst not teach me to forget"; Benvolio responds, "I'll pay that doctrine or else die in debt" (1.1.246-247). Forget and debt, of course, rhyme. Romeo is pining away for his Rosaline, while Benvolio is sure that he'll be able to teach Romeo to forget her, or he'll die trying.
At the end of Act 1, scene 2, there's another example of a rhyming couplet. Romeo says to his friends that he'll go along to the party at the Capulets' house, but that he doesn't expect to see women there to make him forget Rosaline: "I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, / But to rejoice in splendor of mine own" (1.2.107-108).
At the end of Act 1, scene 3, there is yet another example. Lady Capulet has been speaking to Juliet about the County Paris, a man who seeks to woo and marry Juliet. Lady Capulet says to Juliet, "Juliet the County stays," and the Nurse says, "Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days" (1.3.112-113). Her Nurse is a great deal more solicitous of Juliet's happiness, while her mother seems most interested in making a good match for her daughter.
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