Monday, December 1, 2014

Explain the following lines from Romeo and Juliet from Act II scene 6.Then love-devouring death do what he dare-- It is enough i may but call her...

These lines are said by Romeo to the Friar in this scene,
which immediately precedes the secret marriage of the two lovers. What is important to
realise about this quote is the way that Romeo openly seems to challenge the forces of
fate, destiny and death to do what they dare in the face of his love for Juliet. Note
how he says that the force of death, which he describes as being "love-devouring," can
"do what he dare." For Romeo, it is "enough" to be married to Juliet and to be able to
call her his. This quote therefore reminds us of the key theme of fate and destinty
whilst also foreshadowing the death of the two young lovers. Romeo, whilst defying the
power of death, also seems to recognise its strength and potency, and this quote
therefore seems to point towards an early end to the marriage of these two lovers whilst
also recognising the way in which the play suggests that there is some kind of force of
destiny at work. Trying to resist, defy, or cheat fate, as Romeo and Juliet attempt, is
doomed to failure.

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