Act 2, Scene 2: the balcony
The lovers play with the idea of casting off their names
Act 2, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet is often referred to as the ‘balcony scene’, despite the fact that the play only mentions Juliet’s window and not a balcony. In this scene, Romeo has snuck into the Capulet orchard at night and overhears Juliet declaring her love for him to herself. This is an example of dramatic irony since we (and Romeo) know something which Juliet does not, namely that her lover is listening.
The scene centers around identity as Juliet starts playing with the thought of casting off their family names so they can be together:
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet. (2.2.33-36)
Juliet is playing with the idea of Romeo casting off his family name. If he were not a Montague, he would no longer be her enemy. She also says that if he does not want to abandon his famil...
