Extract 3 Act 2 Scene 1

Juliet: [to herself] Oh Romeo, Romeo, why does your name have to be Romeo? Tell me that Montague is not your father, and that that is not your name. Or, if you won’t do that, just promise to be my love, and I shall no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo: [to himself] Should I say something, or should I wait?

Juliet: [to herself] It is only your name that is my enemy. If you had another name, you would still be the same person. A rose would still smell as sweet, if it were called something different. And Romeo would still be as perfect, even if he were not called Romeo. Give up your name, Romeo – it is not part of you, anyway – and take me instead.

Romeo: [to Juliet, loudly] Just call me ‘love’, and I shall never be Romeo again.

Juliet: [Shocked that someone is listening to her] Who is that, hiding in the night and listening to my private talk?

Romeo: I cannot tell you my name. My name is hateful to me because it is an enemy to you. If it were written on paper, I would tear it up.

Juliet: You have only said a few words, but I know your voice already. Aren’t you Romeo, and a Montague?

Romeo: I am neither, fair lady, if you dislike either of them.

Juliet: How did you get here, and why did you come? The walls are high and difficult to climb. And if my family find you here, they will kill you.

Romeo: Love’s light wings helped me to fly over the walls. Stone walls cannot keep love out. Love is brave enough to try anything – so your family will not stop me.

Juliet: The mask of night is covering my face tonight. If it were not, you would see me blush⁸ about the things that you heard me say. I should say that they are not true, I know. But for once, I’m not going to worry about behaving properly. Do you love me? Oh, gentle Romeo, if you do, tell me honestly. If you think I have been won too easily, I’ll frown⁹ and say no, and you can try to win my love. But otherwise I am not going to pretend. Believe me, other women may be better at hiding

⁸ blush your face goes red because you are embarrassed

⁹ frown put on a serious face

their feelings, but I shall be more true than they could ever be. Don’t think that I have given in to you so quickly because my love for you is light.

Romeo: Lady, I swear¹⁰ to you by the moon, which lights up the tops of these fruit-trees …

Juliet: Oh, don’t swear by the moon, which changes all through the month. I don’t want your love to be changeable like the moon. If you must swear, swear by yourself. For you are the god that I love. And I’ll believe you.

Romeo: If my sweet love …

Juliet: [Interrupting him] No, do not swear! Although I love you, this is too sudden. It is too much like lightning, which is gone before you notice it. Sweet, good night. This bud¹¹ of love may have grown into a beautiful flower when we next meet. Good night, good night. Sleep as sweetly as I will.

Romeo: Don’t go like this! Let us make a faithful vow¹² of love to each other.

Juliet: I had already given you my vow, even before you asked for it. [Looks back in through her window] I hear some noise inside. Dear love, goodbye.

[Nurse calls inside]

[Calling to Nurse] I’m coming, good Nurse! [to Romeo] Sweet Montague, be true. Stay there, I’ll come back in a moment. [Exit Juliet]

Romeo: Oh wonderful, wonderful night! I am afraid that this is all a dream. It is too perfect to be true.

[Enter Juliet above]

Juliet: I shall just say one thing, dear Romeo, and then we must say good night. If you are honourable with your love, and want to marry me, I will send a messenger¹³ to you tomorrow. Tell the messenger when and where we shall be married. And I shall come to you. I will give you my life, and follow you throughout the world.

¹⁰ swear make a serious promise (usually in the name of God)

¹¹ bud a young flower before it opens

¹² faithful vow honest promise

¹³ messenger person who carries information from one person to another