Question from Romeo and Juliet

[ali100]

In Act Two-Scene Two of Romeo and Juliet story, What does the Mask of Night means???I really appreciate anyone's help.Thanks.

[Anglika]

You should provide full context.

Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek

It is dark - at night - so her face cannot be seen. It is masked by the night.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by ali100

In Act Two-Scene Two of Romeo and Juliet story, What does the Mask of Night means?

In Act Two, Scene Two, what does "the mask of night" mean?

The context in which that phrase appeared really should have helped you figure out its meaning.

~R

[BobK]

Originally Posted by RonBee

In Act Two, Scene Two, what does "the mask of night" mean?

The context in which that phrase appeared really should have helped you figure out its meaning.

~R

Well yes, in principle. But someone who writes 'What does [it] means?' is probably going to have trouble with words like 'maiden blush' and 'bepaint'. [I know the full context is much wider than the two lines given by Anglika, but the same problem is going to arise in every sentence].

And for all I know, Shakespeare may have used 'mask' in another sense entirely - he often does, so if 'the context' extends as far as 'Shakespeare plays in general' ... Ali100 may not have even realized that the scene takes place at night (during my PGCE teacher training I taught English native speakers who didn't have the first idea about much of Shakespeare's language).

b

[Shakespeare's brother]

Which is ironic Bob when you consider that most native English speakers will probably daily use one of the Bard's coined words without even knowing.

[Simosito]

Sorry for the "up" but I wanted to say what I think.

Originally Posted by ali100

In Act Two-Scene Two of Romeo and Juliet story, What does the Mask of Night means???I really appreciate anyone's help.Thanks.

As Anglika said when Juliet says
<<
Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face,
else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight.
Fain would I dwell on form - fain, fain deny
What I have spoke. But farewell compliment!
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay'
>>

She means something like:
<<
Romeo, you know that I'm blushing, but it is night, therefore you obviously can't see the rosiness of my face for the things I said.[this is after the "Oh, Romeo, Romeo" thing]
I'd never erase what I've said.
Do you love me?
I know you'll say "Yes"
>>

That's what I think.

--
edited, thanks to RonBee

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Simosito

Sorry for the "up" but I wanted to say what I think.


As Anglika said when Juliet says
<<
Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face,
else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight.
Fain would I dwell on form - fain, fain deny
What I have spoke. But farewell compliment!
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay'
>>

She means something like:
<<
Romeo, you know that I'm blushing, but it is night, therefore you obviously can't see the rosiness of my face for the things I said.[this is after the "Oh, Romeo, Romeo" thing]
I'd like to erase what I've said.
Do you love me?
I know you'll say "Yes"
>>

That's what I think.

That's good except that Juliet meant that she would not take back what she said (because she meant it).

[Simosito]

Originally Posted by RonBee

That's good except that Juliet meant that she would not take back what she said (because she meant it).

Ops, I was quite sleepy.
My fault.

[beauty18]

I think it means that, that someone is ashamed to see someones face, maybe shy or maybe doubtful someone. Hope you get it. Well I have said tyhat because I read between the lines. Well I guess thats it.

[Rebel]

Originally Posted by beauty18

I think it means that, that someone is ashamed to see someones face, maybe shy or maybe doubtful someone. Hope you get it. Well I have said tyhat because I read between the lines. Well I guess thats it.

Juliet didn't know that Romeo was listening. Her words were not meant to be heard.

Romeo has caught her as good as naked, and she is shy; but not ashamed. What she feels is right.