Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Discuss how Shakespeare uses language and dramatic devices in Act 2 Scene 2 Essay Example For Students

Discuss how Shakespeare uses language and dramatic devices in Act 2 Scene 2 Essay Following Act 1 Scene 5, where Romeo and Juliet met at the Grand Capulets Ball, the two meet again in Act 2 Scene 2. During Act 2 Scene 2, commonly known as the balcony scene, Romeo passes to the Capulets Mansion in search of Juliet. On locating her, he stays hidden, witnessing the declaration of Juliets love for him. He overhears her talking aloud of her own love for him, and her concern about the fact that he is a Montague, born of a family that are enemies to her own household: wherefore, or why, she asks herself, could he not have been born with any other name? Shortly after, he reveals himself whilst Juliet, above him on the balcony, is shocked and fears for his safety. However, Romeo persists in attempting to woo her and both are eager to discuss their love for one another. Theyre clearly love-struck and arrange to be married within the following day. They reluctantly part before being interrupted by Juliets Nurse. Throughout the scene, Romeos language is poetic and religious in comparison to previous scenes. His extravagant sentences show his true, genuine love for Juliet. He uses metaphors including: O speak again, bright angel He refers to her as a bright angel against a dark sky. Prior to meeting her, darkness was not just over his head, it was in his heart. Now, he is separated from the dark sky by his vision of Juliet. She signifies purity being a virgin, and her beauty and goodness. Alternatively, her angelic figure could be seen symbolically as foreshadowing her later death. shes above Romeo, theres a correlation to her being above him on the balcony and her being out of Romeos reach; this is a warning to him as he shouldnt be anywhere near her. Romeos emotive language changes dramatically when he meets Juliet; again, it is far more poetic and is such a contrast to how he spoke about his previous love, Rosaline. Earlier in the play (in Act 1 Scene 1), while describing his love for Rosaline, he says, Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! these two contradictory phrases known as oxymorons prove how Romeos perspective of love then was simply lust for Rosaline. The word brawling effectively is language of war, not expected language of love. In particular, loving hate suggests how his love for Rosaline was not genuine, it was lust. Whereas, in Act 2 Scene 2, he uses phrases such as dear saint towards Juliet, this religious language differs from the way he spoke beforehand. The word Saint in the Elizabethan era was a word regularly used as the church dominated topics of discussion, being such a controversial subject (Catholic and Protestant rivalry). Saints are often as having halos, which is a symbol of their holiness, moreo ver, Juliets innocence and goodness. Romeos emotions change during the play in a very sudden and abrupt way. Shakespeare uses this to emphasize Romeos character, language and action whilst enhancing his emotions, along with the use of courtly love. use of hyperboles is key to this. The very first line of the scene, Romeo says, He jests at scars that never felt a wound. Romeo is talking about Mercutio joking about something he has never felt, which obviously would have irritated him, consequently he would have used a very bitter tone. This is not normally defined as language of love, especially with the body language and facial expressions the actor would have used to show this. He is talking about love but uses words that convey pain and suffering. It is the east, and Juliet is the Sun. In this line Romeo is talking about Juliet rising like the sun. Romeo thinks Juliet is the sun of his life which he depends on for life. This metaphor becomes influential to the rest of the play in that he views her as the giver of light, above him, and again, out of reach, which essentially relates to the main plot and their forbidden love. Though it is late at night, Juliets surpassing beauty makes Romeo imagine that she is the sun, transforming the darkness into daylight. Romeo likewise personifies the moon, calling it sick and pale with grief at the fact that Juliet, the sun, is far brighter and more beautiful. Romeo then compares Juliet to the stars, claiming that she eclipses the stars as daylight overpowers a lamp her eyes alone shine so bright that they will convince the birds to sing at night as if it were day. Christmas Carol EssayLater on in the scene, Juliet speaks in depth about Romeo, and his name. She repeats the word name on five different occasions. Tis but thy name that is my enemy this shows she thinks of Romeo in individual terms yet the name he possesses is of enemy to her family, and thus her love for him overrides her familys hatred for the Montague name. Shakespeares repetition of the word name really illustrates how this is such an important matter to Juliet, living with such controversial matters. Following this, she mentions, Whats in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other word would smell as sweet referring to Romeo and his name, saying that he would still be as sweet and beautiful if he were called by another name. Likewise, a rose would still be as sweet-smelling and beautiful if it had a different name, however, in referring and comparing Romeos name to being a Rose, theres the fact that there are sharp, needlelike thorns on the rose, conjuring up the image that these are signs of warning about their new-found love. Following this, Romeo pronounces This bud of love, by summers ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when we next meet. The opening metaphor conjures up the image that their love is young, innocent, and pure in need of the chance to let their love bloom. Relating to a previous paragraph, he needs her the sun to be there, without her, their love cannot bloom. Juliets desperate need for Romeos word that he loves her, is evident as she puts a straight forward question to him: Dost thou love me? In comparison to the nature of Romeos questions, shes distinctly fearful and in need of his reassurance, noticeably without the somewhat confusing language he may have used earlier. I believe Shakespeare has used this technique of short, to the point questions and clauses, to convey Juliets feelings. However, again, Romeo uses lengthy, romantic answers, while he swears by the moon that he loves her. Romeos exaggerated, deep language, clouded with poetic imagery in some ways is shown to irritate Juliet (looking for direct, rational answers from Romeo) as he swears by the moon which provokes the reply O, swear not by the moon, thinconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circle orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Juliet is concerned that by swearing on the variable, undependable moon, their love will be destined to follow the same path, with Romeo becoming unreliable. She clearly wants and needs a stable relationship if shes going to take such an enormous, life-changing risk. He hasnt proved too reliable yet as he forgot Rosaline so quickly. An effective technique Shakespeare has used is how Juliet interrupts Romeo before it is possible to begin his speech fully, If my hearts dear love - indicating her frustration and intolerance with his extravagant language, solely wanting a simple answer. Further in the scene, Juliet is forced to interrupt Romeo in the midst of his replies to her realistic, practical questioning. The dramatic devices, along with stage directions, would be vital in order to engage the audiences attention. Some of the language used has other forms of innuendo or hidden meanings including: Whats a Montague? It is nor hand nor foot, nor arm nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. This would help to catch the attention of the audience during the Shakespearean era. On parting, prior to the end of the scene, both Romeo and Juliet retire slowly, and reluctantly as Juliet is called by her Nurse. It is therefore obvious they are both love-struck and do not wish to part. Also, beforehand, they had say goodnight more than once Good night, good night!, O blessà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d, blessà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d night! Romeo is most reluctant to leave Juliet, and her presence. In conclusion, theres a great contrast in the language of both Romeo and Juliet, as a consequence of their own fears in such a hasty new relationship. In general, both characters change when they meet again in Act 2 Scene 2; Romeos language becoming much more poetic and positive, and Juliets being more realistic than before whilst at the ball. The forms of dramatic devices used vary for effect, but heavily influence the mood in the play, and the characters feelings. Imagery used such as similes, metaphors and personification contribute to the effect of this scene in particular.

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