Romeo and Juliet Journal #4

In the famous blacony scene, Juliet speaks of Romeo and his name, and the importance of a name. This scene is the most signicant to the play because of the whole "forbidden love" thing. She speaks of how he should "deny thy father and refuse thy name", meaning that he should leave his family behind and not be a Montague anymore so that they can be together. However, she also speaks about how a rose would still smell sweet if it was not called a rose. She doesn't consider his name important, because she loves him anyway. She thinks they cannot be married, because they are from feuding families who absolutely hate each other and their love is forbidden. If they were not from feuding families, they would be able to love without any problems, and the whole idea of the play would be different. Their love would not be forbidden, hence the play's concept would be completely different.

Later on in the scene, Juliet professes her love for Romeo. He swears by the moon that he loves her. She insists her not swear by the moon, because it is inconstant, ever-changing. This part is significant because she wants him to love her now and forever, and swearing by the moon would mean that although he loves her now, his feelings could change.

She also speaks of how sudden thier newfound relationship is, and describes it to be like lightning. This part is important because earlier she spoke of how she had no desire to marry, but would consider Paris for her husband because her mother kept pushing. Now she has been plunged into the throes of love, but cannot marry Romeo for he is a Montague. The description of it like lightning is fitting because you never know when lightning will strike, just like she had no idea she would fall in love with a total stranger, much less a Montague.