In Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet expresses conflicting emotions during her famous balcony scene. While she feels joy in Romeo's presence, she simultaneously laments having "no joy of this contract tonight." This statement reveals her deep concern about the implications of their relationship, particularly the tension between their love and the legacy of their families' feud.
Juliet's main concern here revolves around the fact that their love is fraught with danger due to the enmity between the Montagues and Capulets. She anxiously contemplates the consequences of their union, acknowledging that although she is drawn to Romeo, their families' animosity complicates her feelings. In the text, she says:
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite."
This expresses the depth of her feelings, but her following comment, "I have no joy of this contract tonight," indicates that the joy of their love is overshadowed by the fear of its repercussions. Juliet is acutely aware that their love must be kept secret and that it puts them both at risk. The “contract” she refers to symbolizes their love and the commitment they are starting to forge, which is built on the precarious foundation of their families’ longstanding conflict.
Her concern stems from the recognition that love does not exist in a vacuum; it comes with social and familial obligations. The mixing of joy and sorrow reflects the central theme of fate versus free will present throughout the play, illustrating how external forces can inhibit personal happiness. Thus, while Juliet deeply loves Romeo, the reality of their situation leads her to question whether that joy can truly exist under such perilous circumstances.