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Hieronder lees je de beroemde balkonscene van Romeo en Juliet. Links staat de tekst zoals die in de tijd van Shakespeare werd gesproken. Rechts lees je de moderne vertaling.

 

ORIGINAL TEXT

MODERN TEXT

ROMEO

     (aside) She speaks.

O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art

As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,

As is a wingèd messenger of heaven

Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes

30Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him

When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds

And sails upon the bosom of the air.

ROMEO

(to himself) She speaks. Oh, speak again, bright angel. You are as glorious as an angel tonight. You shine above me, like a winged messenger from heaven who makes mortal men fall on their backs to look up at the sky, watching the angel walking on the clouds and sailing on the air.

JULIET

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name.

35Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

JULIET

(not knowing ROMEO hears her) Oh, Romeo, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo? Forget about your father and change your name. Or else, if you won’t change your name, just swear you love me and I’ll stop being a Capulet.

ROMEO

(aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

ROMEO

(to himself) Should I listen for more, or should I speak now?

 

© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.