Analyzing the Balcony Scene in Romeo and Juliet
Juliet’s balcony is now one of the favorite cultural images that form in the minds of the more romantic of us.
Indeed, someone had the good idea to dub a balcony on a medieval building in Verona, Italy, ‘Juliet’s balcony.’ It has spawned a lucrative industry targeted at lovers and is one of the must-see sights of Verona.
The Romantic Essence of the Scene
The Romeo and Juliet balcony scene is a romantic one, reflecting the general notion that Romeo and Juliet is a romantic play. The play certainly starts out like that, with the two lovers falling in love at first sight, then talking love-talk in a moonlit garden, and running off the next day to get married. While watching the balcony scene, we are caught up in the touching spectacle of these two beautiful young people and their intense feelings.
We watch as they go too far and plan to marry. The appealing thing about the balcony scene is that we are eavesdropping on the most intense of adolescent emotions and raging teenage hormones, all packaged in some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful poetry.
The Setup: Romeo's Arrival
Romeo has been smitten by Juliet after gatecrashing her father’s party. He and his friends leave. Irritated by their mockery, he gives them the slip and climbs over the wall of one of Capulet’s orchards - the one that adjoins the Capulet house.
The Moment of Revelation
A door opens onto a balcony and someone holding a candle comes out onto it. He draws in his breath. Perhaps it is Juliet! Yes, it is, he can see that now. ‘It is my lady. Oh, it is my love!’ She is standing there, gazing out on the shadowy orchard.
If she says anything, he is going to answer her, but he can’t believe that it will be about him if she does speak. His thoughts return to the moment of first seeing her - to her eyes. It was as though two of the brightest stars in heaven, having some business elsewhere, had begged her eyes to take their place. She’s an angel! Should he listen for more?
The Exchange and Declaration
Then he startles her by showing himself, standing beneath the balcony, and speaking. He says he’ll be rebaptised with a new name.
Imagery and Thematic Significance
The scene is full of images of celestial bodies - the stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets. Shakespeare uses them to create images of beauty, but they also fulfill a thematic function - that of reminding us of the ever-present stars that control our fate.
