An Analysis of the Balcony Scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

1. How does this scene develop the narrative? 

Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is orientated in Verona where two dominant families, the Montagues and the Capulets, endure a bitter feud.  The text begins with a hostile quarrel between the servants of the two households.  After this, the heads of the households talk of their children, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.  Lord Capulet plans a masked ball to initiate a romance between his daughter and a Count named Paris.  Romeo learns of the gathering and organises to attend with his friends.  At the ball Romeo first meets Juliet.  He immediately falls in love with her.  Their families’ dispute presents an obstacle to the continuation of their relationship.  The following evening, Romeo clambers into Capulet’s orchard.  Here he views Juliet’s balcony.  The orchard is often likened to the Garden of Eden with Juliet as the forbidden fruit.  It is here that their love prospers as they express their sentiments for each-other.

2. How does the ‘Balcony Scene’ expand on one theme from the text? 

The enduring quality of romantic love asserts its supremacy in the ‘Balcony Scene’ (Act 2 Scene 2).  The scene solidifies the love between Romeo and Juliet and provides a foundation for the progression of the text.  As Romeo remains hidden from Juliet’s view, she states, “wherefore art thou, Romeo”, before proclaiming that she will “deny (her) father”, “refuse (her) name” and will “no longer be a Capulet” (2, 2, 33-35).  Juliet instigates the development of enduring love as a subject through her anger for her family’s feud and the rejection of her loyalties.  As Romeo reveals himself, he states that “stony limits cannot hold (his) love out” and that Juliet’s kinsmen “are no stop to him” (2, 2, 67-69).  Despite Juliet’s warning that her kinsmen “will murder” him if he is found, Romeo is willing to withstand the consequences of his actions to be with whom he loves (2, 2, 70). Amongst the extended discussion about honourable love and marriage, the scene ends with a series of heartfelt goodbyes of “such sweet sorrow” agitated by the thoughts of their reconvening the next day (2, 2, 84).  The desire to create an abiding quality of romantic love is affirmed in this scene as a basis for the construction of the text.

3. How does Shakespeare use poetic and language devices to explore the growing love between Romeo and Juliet? 

Shakespeare eloquently uses linguistic devices to support the development of Romeo and Juliet’s love.  This is first demonstrated in the opening of the balcony scene when Romeo exclaims that “Juliet is the sun” who shall “arise[!]” and “kill the envious moon who is already sick and pale with grief” (2, 2, 2-4).   The affiliation between Juliet and the sun evokes a sense of true warmth and adoration for Romeo.  Shakespeare intends to stimulate the reader’s senses by claiming that her love for Romeo is so powerful that it will defeat any party who opposes the union.  He portrays Juliet as the sun who radiates such beauty that even the moon has grown jealous.  The reader can genuinely feel the strength of this love and the weakness of those who are envious.  The growing love of the couple is unmistakable throughout this scene as the reader is left without any allusion as to how powerful the relationship is.   

As the scene progresses, Shakespeare masterfully incorporates celestial imagery to draw the comparison between Juliet and beautiful, celestial bodies.  Juliet is described as a “bright angel” and a “winged messenger of heaven” whose “cheek would shame … two of the fairest stars in all of heaven” (2, 2, 15-28).  Romeo is so enthralled by Juliet’s beauty that he now associates her with angelic bodies and stars.  Juliet tells Romeo to “swear (his love) not by the moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circled orb”, as she is still wary that this may simply be a childish infatuation (2, 2, 109-110).  The utilisation of this technique asserts the ‘star-crossed lovers’ growing admiration for each other whilst also addressing that it is not a first love, but in fact, an everlasting love.