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Romeo and Juliet By William Shakespeare How oft when men are at the point of death Have they been merry, which their keepers call A lightning before death. O how may I Call this a lightning? O my love, my wife! Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. Thou art not conquered; beauty’s ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And death’s pale flag is not advanced there. Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet? O what more favour can I do to thee, Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain To sunder his that was thine enemy? Forgive me cousin. Ah dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe That unsubstantial death is amorous, And that the lean abhorred monster keeps Thee here in dark to be his paramour? For fear of that, I still will stay with thee, And never from this palace of dim night Depart again. Here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chamber-maids. O here Will I set up my everlasting rest; And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes look your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death. [Takes out the poison] Come bitter conduct, come unsavoury guide. Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark. Here’s to my love! [drinks] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. Question Use the passage and the image to answer the question. Source: Zuri Swimmer. Alamy Stock Photo In what ways does the scene in the painting match the description in Romeo’s speech? In what ways does the painting depart from the details laid out in the speech? (4 points)

1 answer

To compare the passage from "Romeo and Juliet" with the scene depicted in a painting, we can analyze how the visual representation aligns with and diverges from the elements of Romeo's speech in this excerpt. Here are the points of comparison:

Similarities:

  1. Mood and Emotion: Romeo's speech expresses deep sorrow, love, and desperation as he contemplates death. A painting depicting this scene would likely capture a somber and tragic atmosphere, reflecting Romeo's intense emotions in this moment of despair.

  2. Setting: Romeo is in a tomb with Juliet, surrounded by death. A painting representing this scene would likely feature a dark, eerie tomb setting, aligning with the "palace of dim night" Romeo describes, emphasizing themes of mortality and loss.

  3. Physical Proximity: In the speech, Romeo is close to Juliet, emphasizing their bond even in death. The painting would also likely depict them in close physical proximity, reinforcing their connection and the tragic nature of their situation.

  4. Imagery of Death and Love: Romeo speaks of death in relation to Juliet's beauty, highlighting that she still possesses life amidst death. The painting might showcase Juliet's beauty in contrast to the death around her, aligning with Romeo's lamentation.

Differences:

  1. Depiction of Death: In Romeo's speech, there is a focus on the action of death with urgency; he is preparing to take poison. If the painting depicts a serene or peaceful scene rather than the tension and immediacy of Romeo drinking the poison, it departs from the dramatic intensity of his speech.

  2. Color Palette: Romeo mentions "crimson" and contrasts it with "death’s pale flag." A painting that uses bright colors may not capture the somber tone of death effectively, altering the perception of beauty and tragedy that Romeo articulates.

  3. Characters' Expressions: Romeo’s speech is filled with emotional turmoil, suggesting an intense struggle against fate. If the painting portrays him with a calm or resigned expression rather than one of anguish or desperation, this would diverge from the emotional depth present in the text.

  4. Symbolism of Objects: Romeo references the poison and the act of kissing as part of his resolution. If the painting does not prominently feature these elements, such as the poison or the kiss, it would not capture fully the physical actions that are central to Romeo's resolution in the speech.

These points illustrate how effectively the painting can encapsulate the themes and emotions from Romeo's speech while also noting any potential divergences in portrayal that could affect interpretation.