Ominous foreboding

Death

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‘My dreams presage some joyful news at hand’ line2~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo’s dream foretells that something good is going to happen.

Why it’s chosen: It is a dramatic irony as the audience knows that a tragedy is about to take place whereas Romeo still does not know what is going to happen. This line foretells that something some misfortune is about to occur.

‘I dreamt my lady came and found me dead – Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to think’ line6~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo dreams that Juliet finds him dead and he is confused by the dream.

Why it’s chosen: This line foretells Romeo death at the end of the play.

‘Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?’ line14~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo asks whether Balthasar has brought any letters on behalf of Friar Lawrence.

Why it’s chosen: This line foresees the tragic that will take place. It is because of an undelivered letter, which tells of the friar’s plan, that causes the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

‘Hast thou no letters to me from the friar?’ line31~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo asks again whether there is any letter for him from the friar.

Why it’s chosen: It is ominous when Romeo asks this the second time. It brings out Romeo’s ‘death-marked love’ in that he does not receive the letter of importance though he asks two times for it. Due to this, Romeo goes to the tomb and kills himself.

‘Her body sleeps in the Capels’ monument’ line18~Balthasar

Explanation: Juliet’s body is lying in the tomb.

Why it’s chosen: At this time, Juliet is not really dead. She is still under the influence of the drug Friar Lawrence gave her. This line is ominous in that Juliet really dies in the tomb at the end of the play.

‘Your looks are pale and wild, and do import some misfortune’ line27~Balthasar

Explanation: Romeo is wild now as he learns of Juliet’s ‘death’. Balthasar is trying to calm him as he can sense that something bad will happen.

Why it’s chosen: It is ominous as something bad really happens due to Romeo’s impulsiveness.

‘A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear As will disperse itself through all the veins, That the life-weary taker may fall dead, And that the trunk may be discharged of breath, As violently as hasty powder fired Doth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb’ line60~Romeo

Explanation: This dose of poison will immediately take effect and kills the person who does not want to live.

Why it’s chosen: This line speaks of a terrible death.

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‘The letter was not nice, but full of charge, Of dear import; and the neglecting it May do much danger’ line18~Friar Lawrence

Explanation: The letter is very important, and if it is not being sent out, much harm will be caused.

Why it’s chosen: It is ominous as because of the undelivered letter, two lives are taken away.

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‘I am almost afraid to stand alone’ line10~Page

Explanation: The page is afraid to stay by himself outside Juliet’s tomb.

Why it’s chosen: There is a sense of ominous foreboding on the page’s part and he is afraid though he does not know exactly what is about to happen.   

‘I’ll cram thee with more food’ line48~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo wants to ‘feed’ the tomb with more bodies.

Why it’s chosen: It is ominous as Romeo is referring to his own body.

‘I’ll cram thee with more food’ line48~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo wants to ‘feed’ the tomb with more bodies.

 Why it’s chosen: Romeo wants to kill himself in order to be with Juliet, hence, the theme of death is evolved.

‘Put not another sin upon my head’ line62~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo wants Paris to leave him alone or else he will kill him also.

Why it’s chosen: This line is ominous as it suggests that Romeo is going to kill himself, which is a sin. Killing Paris will be the other sin he will commit. 

‘Put not another sin upon my head’ line62~Romeo

Explanation:  Romeo wants Paris to leave him alone or else he will kill him also.

Why it’s chosen: It is about the deaths of the two young men that are arriving.

‘By heaven, I love thee better than myself, For I come hither armed against myself’ line64~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo is telling Paris to leave and the plan to kill himself.

Why it’s chosen: The audience is reminded again of the tragedy that will occur.

‘By heaven, I love thee better than myself, For I come hither armed against myself’ line64~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo is telling Paris to leave and the plan to kill himself.

Why it’s chosen: This line suggests the death that Romeo will inflict on himself.

‘One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book’ line82~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo thinks that he is a misfortunate man and Paris is the same when he meets him, killed.

Why it’s chosen: This line gives the ominous feeling that the tragedy is about to take place.

‘O here will I set my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars from this world-wearied flesh’ line109~Romeo

Explanation: Romeo is going to kill himself, away from the world’s worries forever.

Why it’s chosen: The theme of death is revolved around here.

‘O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die’ line169~Juliet

Explanation: Juliet prepares to stab herself with a dagger.

Why it’s chosen: The second tragedy, Juliet’s death, is taking place hence the theme of death is shown.

‘A glooming peace this morning with it brings; The sun for sorrow will not show his head’ line304~Prince

Explanation: Though peace is restored in Verona, there will never be happiness as two precious lives are exchanged for this peace. 

Why it’s chosen: The theme of death revolves here as the deaths of two young lovers brought peace but not happiness.