Romeo and Juliet

Question

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.

Juliet, clutching a dagger, kneels over the dead body of Romeo. To her left is the door of the tomb, on which the shadow of an approaching man falls.
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?

Answer 1

The scene described in Romeo's speech and the painting of Juliet kneeling over Romeo's body share several poignant elements that reflect the themes and emotions present in this moment from "Romeo and Juliet."

Similarities:

1. Setting of Death: Both the speech and the painting depict a moment of profound grief and darkness. Romeo's speech speaks to death and the feelings of despair associated with it, as he holds Juliet's lifeless form and contemplates his own demise. The painting reinforces this by showing Juliet in a state of mourning over Romeo’s body, highlighting the tragic conclusion of their love story.

2. Emotional Weight: Romeo’s expressions of love and sorrow in his speech echo the profound sadness illustrated in the painting as Juliet kneels, clutching a dagger. This visual representation of Juliet’s anguish aligns with Romeo's despair and longing for his deceased love, emphasizing the intensity of their bond even in death.

3. Symbolism of Death and Love: The imagery in both elements presents the intertwining of love and death. Romeo's speech contains metaphors about life and death, culminating in his decision to take poison to reunite with Juliet in death. The dagger in Juliet's hand symbolizes her desperation and willingness to follow Romeo into the afterlife, reflecting the culmination of their tragic love story.

Departures:

1. Perspective: Romeo's speech focuses primarily on his own emotions and the thoughts of dying alongside Juliet. It captures his internal monologue rather than depicting Juliet’s response to his death. The painting, however, actively depicts Juliet as the central figure, showcasing her anguish and resolve rather than exposing Romeo's internal struggles, thus shifting the emotional focus to her grief.

2. Action and Context: In the text, Romeo is the one who takes the poison and dies, while the painting captures Juliet's reaction to his death. The painting does not show Romeo’s death scene but rather its immediate effects; Juliet's stoic readiness to end her own life contrasts with the act of suicide that Romeo has just committed.

3. Visual Elements: The shadow of an approaching man at the door in the painting introduces an element of impending action or interruption that is absent in Romeo’s speech. This adds an additional layer of tension to the visual narrative, as the audience anticipates what may happen next, whereas the speech is more introspective and resolved in tone.

In summary, while the painting captures the themes of love, death, and despair found in Romeo's speech, it shifts the focus to Juliet's perspective and introduces new narrative elements that enhance the emotional impact of the scene, offering a broader context to their tragedy.