ow does Shakespeare create dramatic impact in Act 2 Scene 2?
What you are being asked to do:
What I am asking you to do is write about how Shakespeare creates a sense of dramatic tension, excitement and impact in this scene and how this relates to the rest of the play and the issues it raises. In this scene the audience really gets to know the two main characters and we discover lots of things about their personalities and their opinions about love, marriage and family duty. Shakespeare didn’t include stage directions in his plays, so you have to read very closely to see where the actors give the audience verbal clues about the time of day, weather and the setting.
I am also asking you to comment upon how the audience in Shakespeare’s day would have reacted to the scene compared with how you,as a modern and sophisticated female, react to the scene. How have opinions changed to the play and the issues it raises: love, marriage, relationships, suicide etc? Is R&J a timeless romance, or just a load of overly sentimental tosh? Act 2 Scene 2 is a key scene in the play and is seen by many as a turning point – the moment of peace before the storm that will follow - so you will need to write about how this scene sets up the rest of the play.
Last of all don’t waffle on about where Shakespeare was born, or the different film versions that we have watched. The reason we watched the film adaptations was simply to give you an overview of the whole play.
What I look for in a winning essay:
Lots of close reading of the text with some personal insights into why this is such an important scene. I always know when someone has taken the time to analyse the text because they introduce relevant and interesting quotes and explain what we can learn from the quote (Point Evidence Explain) and how it links back to the essay question.
As always, I am searching for that golden observation. Something new and exciting that leaps off the page. Think about the symbolism of the setting, the similes and metaphors used by the two lovers and how their youthful innocence is presented and how this adds an element of tension and excitement to the scene.
Always proofread your work!
If typed ensure you use Times New Roman or Comic Sands font, size (12) and double space your work.
Always write the question at the top of your essay.
Don’t forget to put your name on it.
Writing your essay:
Introduction – you should mention:
ü Summarise what has happened before this scene and then what happens afterwards in 4/5 sentences max.
ü You should mention that this is the first time that the two main characters speak at length to each other and so the audience learn what they are like.
ü You might also explain how the themes of the play are woven through this scene – love, death, family, duty, youth, innocence etc
Essay – you should mention:
ü Romeo is hiding in the orchard. How long before R&J actually speak to each other? How does this help to create dramatic tension and anticipation?
ü Several of the themes of the play: love, faith, death, conflict, duty etc are mentioned in this scene. Discuss what the effect of this is.
ü Light and dark imagery is used throughout this scene. What is the effect of this?
ü Explain why it was important for the Shakespearean audience to hear these verbal signposts about the time of day / weather / setting etc?
ü Language – what kind of language / imagery is being used? Remember that Romeo and Juliet are trying to follow the expectations (rules) of romance of the time.
ü Why does Juliet think that their love is too rushed and too sudden? Why doesn’t she want to appear too ‘easily won?’ How do you think the Shakespearean audience would have reacted to this? What about modern audiences?
ü What are R&J’s opinions about love? (You could examine one character at a time). Do their opinions about love reflect the way Shakespearean society viewed love and marriage (arranged marriages etc)?
ü Look at where Juliet tells Romeo not the ‘swear by the moon’ and interrupts him, what was he about to say? Why did she stop him? Remember, Romeo has previous declared his love for Rosaline, so what does this tell us about his character? Can he be trusted? Does Juliet trust his word straight away?
ü Remember, it was fashionable at the time to have an unobtainable object as the focus of your affections, so perhaps Juliet is testing Romeo to see if his feelings are real or just a trick so he could have his fun and leave her.
ü Forbidden love – do you think their love affair would have been so exciting and so ‘rushed’ if there had been peace between their families? Is the danger what makes it seem so intense and exciting for R&J and the audience?
ü What is the symbolism of the Capulet orchard / garden? Always try to think about the double meanings of the setting and environment. Orchard = Garden of Eden. Forbidden fruit (Juliet), sin, The Fall of man?
Conclusion:
Stick to one or two short paragraphs summarising what you have said (summarising is not repeating yourself). A strong conclusion picks out the key points of your argument providing the answer to the question in a nutshell.
Connectives – words and phrases to link sentences and paragraphs together.
However, furthermore, moreover, similarly, nevertheless, in addition to this, what is more, in reflection, in considering this, contrary to this, consequently, as a consequence, ultimately, in conclusion, in other words, to recap, in summary, to summarise, in summation, therefore, although, whereas, whatever, besides, henceforward, then, yet, while, alternatively, since, notwithstanding, particularly, in particular, one might consider, especially, above all, significantly, notably, most notably, likewise, otherwise, unlike, instead of, on the other hand, it is noteworthy to mention that, one should recognise, it is interesting to note that.
Words and phrases to use when introducing a quote:
As evidenced by, for example, for instance, to take one example, as shown by, which we see in, such as, as revealed by, in the case of, consider the following, particularly,
Critical Vocabulary – ‘posh’ words to describe drama
Dramatic irony – when the audience knows more than the character(s) on stage do.
Soliloquy - A speech that is meant to be heard by the audience but not by other characters on the stage. The soliloquy often represents the character thinking aloud.
Monologue - A speech by a single character without another character's response.
Aside – A moment in the play where the actor speaks directly to the audience.
Tragedy - A type of drama in which the characters experience bad luck, usually ending in death or catastrophe.
Antagonist - A character or force against which another character struggles.
Simile - A figure of speech involving a comparison between unlike things using like, as, or as though. An example: "My love is like a red, red rose."
Climax – the exciting conclusion of the play.
Chorus - A group of characters who comment on the action of a play without playing a part in it.
Comic relief - The use of comedy to break-up a sequence of intensely tragic moments.
Dialogue– the conversation between two or more characters
Metaphor - A comparison between different things without using a word such as like or as. An example is "My love is a red, red rose,"
The Balcony Scene – Act 2 Scene 2 – A short summary
Romeo stays behind after the party has finished and finds himself in the orchard beneath Juliet's bedroom window. In the famous balcony scene that follows, Romeo and Juliet exchange their love vows and are determined to be married. The next morning, Romeo visits his friend Friar Lawrence and persuades him to perform the secret marriage ceremony.
The Balcony Scene – Act 2 Scene 2 – A detailed summary
After leaving the Capulet party, Mercutio criticises Romeo for being a slave to his emotions. Upset by Mercutio’s comments Romeo leaves him and climbs over a wall into the Capulet orchard. Approaching the house Romeo sees Juliet at her bedroom window. Hidden in the darkness Romeo is able to eavesdrop on Juliet. As he watches her Romeo speaks of her beauty and his desire for her.
Finally, having listened for some time, Romeo reveals his presence to her. They speak of their love for each other. However, Juliet is concerned that they are rushing into things and suggests that they wait and let their love blossom. She explains that she is willing to play the game of love if Romeo desires it, conceding that this would seem rather pointless given that she has already declared her love when she thought she was alone at her window. Romeo is impatient and asks ‘wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied.’ Unsure of his meaning, Juliet questions Romeo’s intention. He replies by asking her to exchange love’s faithful vow with him. Juliet immediately consents.
With the nurse calling from within the house Juliet tears herself away from Romeo, only to return moments later. With the sun rising she urges him to leave lest he be caught by her kinsmen (family members), but Romeo longs to stay. Juliet explains that she wishes she could keep him close at all times, like a spoilt child with a beautiful pet bird on a string. Despite their passionate talk of love, Juliet is still being cautious, and tells Romeo that if he is serious about marriage then he should organise the ceremony, but if he just stringing her along he should leave her to her sadness. Romeo reassures his love and tells her that she should send a messenger to him by 9am the following morning to find out what is going to happen between them.
Happily they say adieu (goodbye), as she leaves Juliet remarks that ‘parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say “good night” until it be morrow.” Now on his own in the orchard Romeo speaks of how he will visit his friend the Friar to ask him to marry them in secret.
End of scene
The Main Characters:
Romeo Montague
The son of Lord and Lady Montague. A young man of about sixteen. Handsome, intelligent, and sensitive, although he is sometimes impulsive and immature. His idealism and passion make him an extremely likable character. He lives in the middle of a violent feud between the two families, but he is not at all interested in violence. Falls in love with the daughter of his father’s worst enemy. He is also an affectionate and devoted friend to his relative Benvolio, Mercutio, and Friar Lawrence.
Lord Montague
Romeo’s father and head of the Montague family. He is the bitter enemy of Lord Capulet. At the beginning of the play he is mostly concerned about reasons for Romeo’s sadness.
Lady Montague
Romeo’s mother and Lord Montague’s wife. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled (banished) from Verona.
Friar Lawrence
A friar (monk) and friend to both Romeo and Juliet. He is kind hearted and is always ready with a plan. Friar Lawrence secretly marries Romeo and Juliet hoping that their marriage might eventually bring peace to the fighting families and the city of Verona. As well as being a Catholic holy man, Friar Lawrence is also an expert in the use of seemingly mystical potions and herbs.
Benvolio
Lord Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend, he makes a genuine effort to stop violence between the families in public places, though Mercutio accuses him of having a nasty temper in private. He spends most of the play trying to help Romeo get his mind off Rosaline, even after Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet.
Mercutio
A kinsman (blood relative) to the Prince, and Romeo’s close friend. One of the most extraordinary characters in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Mercutio overflows with imagination, wit, and, at times, a strange, biting satire and brooding anger. Mercutio loves wordplay, especially sexual double entendres. He has a quick temper and hates people who shallow and obsessed with the latest fashions. He finds Romeo’s romanticized ideas about love tiresome, and tries to convince Romeo to view love as a simple matter of sexual appetite.
Lord Capulet
The head of the Capulet family, father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet, and enemy, for unexplained reasons, of Montague. He truly loves his daughter, though he doesn’t try to understand Juliet’s thoughts or feelings, and seems to think that what is best for her is a “good” match with Paris. An intelligent man with a fiery temper.
Lady Capulet
Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. She married young (by her own estimation she gave birth to Juliet at close to the age of fourteen), and is eager to see Juliet daughter marry Paris. She has had little to do with Juliet’s upbringing relying on the Nurse for moral and practical support.
Juliet Capulet
The daughter of Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet. A beautiful thirteen-year-old girl, Juliet begins the play as an innocent and naïve child who has thought little about love and marriage. She grows up quickly upon falling in love with Romeo, the son of her family’s great enemy. Because she is a girl in an aristocratic family, she doesn’t have the same freedom as Romeo to roam around the city, climb over walls in the middle of the night, or get into swordfights. Nevertheless, she shows amazing courage in trusting her entire life and future to Romeo, even refusing to believe the worst reports about him after he gets involved in a fight with her cousin, Tybalt. Juliet’s closest friend and confidant is her Nurse, though she’s willing to shut the Nurse out of her life the moment the Nurse turns against Romeo.
The Nurse
Juliet’s nurse, the woman who breast-fed Juliet when she was a baby and has cared for Juliet her entire life. An often controlling and sentimental character, the Nurse provides the occasional joke with her frequently inappropriate remarks and speeches. But, until a disagreement near the play’s end, the Nurse is Juliet’s faithful friend in Juliet’s affair with Romeo. She provides a contrast with Juliet, given that her view of love is earthy and sexual, whereas Juliet is idealistic and intense. The Nurse believes in love and wants Juliet to have a nice-looking husband. A simple woman, she struggles to understand Juliet’s willingness to die for love.
Tybalt
A Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. He is vain (loves himself), fashionable, obsessed with being respected by everyone. He easily becomes aggressive, violent, and quick to draw his sword when he feels his pride has been injured. Once drawn, his sword is something to be feared. He hates Montagues and likes to start a fight.
Paris
A kinsman (blood relative) of the Prince, and wants to marry. Once Capulet has promised him he can marry Juliet he behaves very forward towards her, acting as if they are already married. Lady Capulet is keen for Juliet to marry Paris.
Prince Escalus
The Prince of Verona. A kinsman (blood relative) of Mercutio and Paris. As the seat of political power in Verona, he is concerned about maintaining the public peace at all costs. Desperately wants the two families to make peace and stop their constant fighting. After Romeo kills Tybalt, Prince Escalus banishes Romeo from Verona.
Integrating quotes into your writing
Copy and complete the statements below to use in your essay.
Find quotes from the scene to complete the following statements.
Romeo uses hyperbole when he says: ‘[add your quote here]’. This shows that… [what does this teach us about his character and feelings for J?]
Not wanting to appear ‘too easily won,’ Juliet tests Romeo’s romantic intentions by suggesting that they should let their relationship develop, that this ‘bud of love…[find and complete the quote].’ This suggests that [explain how this shows that Juliet wants them to wait and let their relationship ‘blossom.’].
The constant interruptions of the nurse towards the end of the scene increases the tension of the scene by… [explain how Shakespeare’s audience would have reacted to this].
Romeo is frustrated by Juliet, who wants to wait and let their relationship ‘blossom.’ He asks her ‘wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied.’ This is a loaded question that can be interpreted in several different ways and Juliet is quick to question his intentions: ‘[what does she say in response – find the quote].’ This shows that… [explain how this shows us that Juliet is playing hard to get and is testing Romeo].
The audience is frequently reminded throughout this scene that both Romeo and Juliet are in danger. For instance … [add quote]. Furthermore, Romeo and Juliet are breaking certain ‘rules’ and expectations, such as the ‘rules’ of love. [Explain how they are breaking the rules of love and relationships?]. This adds tension to the scene because … [explain].
This scene is important because it is the point in the play were things are about to go wrong for the two lovers. [Explain why this is the happiest point in the play for R&J and how things go down hill from here.
