THE VERONA DAILY

JULY 20, 2021 VOL. 29

The most reliable news source in Verona, Italy

Romeo and Juliet kissing at the Masquerade Ball in the Capulets' home

REBELLIOUS TEENAGERS FIND LOVE AMONGST HATE

BY SARANSH SAHOO

O
n the evening of July 18th, 2021, in The star-crossed lovers met for the first
Verona, Italy, Romeo Montague and time due to unexpected circumstances.

and Juliet Capulet had an intimate first Romeo was compelled to attend the ball by

encounter where they danced together, his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio as they

exchanged meaningful words and shared sought to lift his mood by making him

a kiss. They were both attending the forget about his past lover, Rosaline. On

popular Masquerade Ball taking place at the contrary, Juliet attended the ball as her

the Capulet’s home, but only a mere few father and mother, Lord and Lady Capulet

saw Romeo and Juliet’s kiss while just wished to find a proper suitor for her.

one witnessed what transpired after the However, after Romeo and Juliet met, they

ball at Juliet’s balcony. had to behave in a surreptitious manner

because they came from “two households,

Before the masquerade ball, Romeo and both alike in dignity” (Shakespeare Line 1)

Juliet had never interacted with each other. that despised each other deeply.
The events which unfolded after they met

were what led to the kindling of their love. An

attendee saw them talk and overheard some

words that Romeo uttered to Juliet. The

attendee heard him say, "if I profane with my

unworthiest hand, this holy shrine, the gentle

sin is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims,

ready stand to smooth that rough touch with

a tender kiss” (Shakespeare 1.5.104-107).

After he said this, both of them kissed, and

their love story began.

According to another attendee, who wished to

stay anonymous, Romeo and Juliet conversed
further at Juliet’s balcony despite the ball
ending. This attendee listened to their entire

conversation; he heard Romeo say, “Juliet is

the sun … and [she kills] the envious moon, Romeo taking Juliet's hand and speaking to her
during their first encounter.
who is already sick and pale with grief”
(Shakespeare 2.2.3-5). After speculations, it

was understood that Romeo was comparing

Juliet to the sun and personifying the moon

to convey that her beauty has the power to

shine through the darkness.

In addition, Juliet was heard saying, “[it’s

your] name that is my enemy…what’s

Montague? It is [neither] hand, nor foot, nor

arm, nor face. O, be some other name
belonging to a man…what’s in a name?”
(Shakespeare 2.2.41-46) Juliet was conflicted
at this moment, as she loved Romeo but she
also knew about the Capulet and Montague
feud. She was being prevented from loving
him because of Romeo’s family name:
Juliet at her bedroom's balcony, talking about
Montague. Romeo and her love for him
Though not many people witnessed the

interaction between Romeo and Juliet,

some Capulets were angered because a

Montague was present at the ball. Take

Tybalt Capulet, the cousin of Juliet as an

instance. When Tybalt saw Romeo enter

the ball, he went to Capulet and said,
“uncle this is a Montague, our foe, a villain

that [came here] in spite, to scorn at our

solemnity this night” (Shakespeare 1.5.69-

71). He perceives Romeo in a negative

light for the sole reason that he is a
Montague. Tybalt and people with similar
views as him are not affected by Romeo
and Juliet’s relationship as they continue
Lord Capulet (left) and Tybalt (right) talking
to hold onto hate.
about Romeo attending the masquerade ball

Romeo and Juliet fell in love with each other at first sight and found a love where only
hate was present. Yet, their love did not ease tensions but instead, exacerbated their

families’ feud and fighting. Tragedy has continued to follow the star-crossed lovers
which, in turn, has affected the citizens of Verona. The citizens say that there has never
been “a story of more woe than that of Juliet and her Romeo” (Shakespeare 5.3.320-321).