Response Paper

Spring 2012 March 16 Shakespeare 1 (Tragedy) Romeo and Juliet Act 2 1001211007 Hyejeong Park

Act 2, Scene 2, 30~51

JULIET 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. ROMEO [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? JULIET 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name which is no part of thee Take all myself. ROMEO I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

The lines above are from the part Juliet is worried about the situation that she is in. The first part, O Romeo, Romeo! where Juliet calls Romeo to herself seems to be very desperate. I could feel Juliets voice even through the lines. I think what makes Juliets words more beautiful is the part of Romeos lines. There is a Korean saying that there needs to be two hands facing each other to clap. This seems to go well with Romeo and Juliet. If Romeo wasnt poetic the scene would appear awkward. Juliets words seem to have made Romeo to talk like a poet. Juliet wishes not to be Capulet and Romeo says that he will never be Romeo. Both are denying their identity to keep on loving each other. Just to be with each other they give up all that they have. This shows the pure love of Romeo and Juliet. The only problem is that this love ends by giving up their lives. Only if the two lived happily ever after the story would be much more reasonable. But if that was the case then the story wouldnt have been so famous. Giving up their lives to be with each other must be one of the points that Romeo and Juliet is at it is. Living with a person that you love might be similar as being newly baptized as Romeo has
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said. As two people become one everything becomes new and there is a new start. The part above seems to be the beginning part of Romeo and Juliets love of each other getting deeper.

Act 2, Scene 2, 155~158

JULIET A thousand times good night! Exit, above ROMEO A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks

In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo doesnt seem to be an active person. But in the way he expresses his love of Juliet is very progressive. Romeo seems to change because of Juliet. With Juliets farewell, Romeo expresses his feeling compared to a schoolboy. In his words I could find Romeos sense of humor. By imagining a schoolboy with a big heavy bag going to school without his homework done seems to be very dull. For him there is too much excitement other than school. Leaving all the fun behind the boy drags his feet to school. In this short part, Romeo expresses that he doesnt want to leave but he has to. The example Romeo has given is very witty. What could be a response to the thousand times goodnight. Romeo and Juliets goodbye makes me feel so sorry about their parting.

Act 2, Scene 3, 57~64

ROMEO
Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set On the fair daughter of rich Capulet: As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine; ut And all combined, save what thou must combine By holy marriage: when and where and how We met, we woo'd and made exchange of vow, I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray, That thou consent to marry us to-day.

Scene 3 starts with Friar Lawrence and Romeos conversation. Friar Lawrence asks about Rosaline and Romeo says that he has forgotten the name. In Juliets point of view Romeo might be so wonderful but to Rosaline he might seem crafty. As a readers view Romeos love changes much too fast. In the beginning he was having a hard time of the love he had for Rosaline and again now its Juliet. Whats more is that he wants to marry Juliet but they havent even seen each other that much. Romeo seems to be impetuous. How could a woman believe a man who changes his mind so quickly and makes a difficult decision so urgent without much thought? If I were Juliet I think I would think about marrying Romeo a little more carefully. The love that starts so fast might end too quickly. Like the word slow and steady wins the race, in world of life there are situations where time is needed and is essential. Romeo seems to have overlooked the fact.
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