Question

Read Romeo’s soliloquy from Act II, scene ii of Romeo and Juliet. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. The purpose of this soliloquy is to help the audience understand Romeo’s feelings for Juliet. feelings for Rosaline. description of the evening. description of Juliet’s illness.

Answer 1

The purpose of the above soliloquy is to help the audience understand Romeo’s feelings for Juliet.

The lines spoken by Romeo occur in the balcony scene when Romeo sees Juliet at her window. The scene takes place in the dark night. Romeo says these words in praise of Juliet.

He says that Juliet's beauty is like a bright sun which has the power to transform the darkness of the night into daylight. He personifies the moon to be “sick and pale with grief” because of the brightness of Juliet as a sun. the motif of light and dark is prevalent throughout the play.