O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Quote Analysis
We hear these words at the beginning of the scene on the balcony in Act 2 Scene 2, when Romeo still didn’t reveal himself. Juliet laments the rivalry between their families and is ready to deny her family name and all the previous life if only Romeo does the same, so they can be together.
This soliloquy gives Romeo the courage to step out of the garden and talk to his beloved. He expresses his devotion in equally passionate words. He and Juliet persuade each other that they love not the name or the status, but each other as persons. The comparisons and metaphors used in their conversation are overly romantic and sweet - perfectly expressing the innocence and passion of the teenager love, even when they both are in danger because of the family feud.
This words of Juliet also foreshadow the future events in a way. Romeo indeed will have to flee Verona because of the accusations of Juliet’s family. He stays the same Romeo but has to conceal his identity. Juliet also ceases to be a Capulet by becoming Romeo’s wife and technically belonging to Montague family.
Author: Angel Bell