A Rose By Any Other Name - Rosaline's Story
(The setting is a room. There is a chair front stage right, and a balcony centre back stage.
A girl in period costume is pacing up and down the stage.)
“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
(Stops pacing and faces audience)
Betrayed.
The highest form of treason known to womankind;
Betrayed by my cousin and closest friend, Juliet.
The darling Juliet, daughter of Lord Capulet. Beautiful, sweet, vile, temptress.
How did this happen?
Not a fortnight ago stood Romeo in this very room, confessing his true love for me and me alone!
(signals to the open doors leading to the balcony)
Now he stands not a stone’s throw away, confessing his love for Juliet!
How did this happen?
“The all-seeing sun ne’er saw her match since first the world begun!”
(continues pacing from stage right to stage left)
For months since our first meeting, has not Romeo declared these immortal words to any man that would care to listen?
Regardless of the consequences?
For loving a Capulet is like loving death itself.
If a member of any family found out, then Romeo would surely be killed. If not by his own family, then by a Capulet - I’m sure that Tybalt or even Paris would be more than willing.
Though at this moment I would be glad to have Romeo found with Juliet in a passionate embrace.
(Sits in chair)
Oh how can I think such things about the one I love and of my own flesh?
How could I let this happen?
Was it a mistake, to let our eyes meet across the playhouse?
The forbidden glances as the curtain went up, as everyone else concentrated on the play.
In the shadows I could hardly see him, but I had observed enough through those small but meaningful glances.
(Stands up and walks slowly over to stage left)
How my heart had cried for him that night!
Was I ever to see those beautiful eyes again?
I dared not to tell a soul, for who would sympathize with a girl in love?
‘Love is for the poor,’ my own mother used to say.
How wrong she was!
I met him again at a Masque Bal, celebrating the New Year.
I was a swan, depicting grace and beauty.
He was the one wearing Janus’s two heads, though when I first saw the mask I knew not it was he.
(Mimics a dancing step)
We danced a galliard shortly together, though behind his two faces again I did not realize it was my Romeo I was dancing with!
It makes me think now, why Romeo chose to be Janus on that New Year’s Eve.
Was it to mark a new beginning, a new year full of new choices to make?
Or was it to do with the fact that by seeing me Romeo would have to have two faces, like Janus?
One that he shows to the world, to his family and friends, and one that he reserves for me, his lover?
Was it at the ball that Romeo first declared love for me? My head is clouded, my mind overloaded with so much to bear.
Yes, of course, I remember!
(clasps hands together at the memory)
I was in the courtyard of the Mayor’s palazzo, where if you are to go along the path to the fountain, nobody from inside could see you, though you see them.
My fingers had skimmed across the docile water, causing the perfect silhouette of the moon to waver.
I remember gasping, as a shadow covered that silhouette, an arm grabbing mine before I had time to fall into the fountain.
“Fear not, fair Rosaline, for it is only I, Romeo hidden behind Janus’ deceptive mask,” he said in a soft voice that almost tinkled,
Pulling the mask off to reveal his face,
The bright blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
I had pulled my arm out of his, trying to look annoyed,
Yet how can one look and feel annoyed when Romeo’s handsome eyes are staring deep into your soul?
“How do you know my name?” I had asked him, trying to compose myself.
“I have my many sources,” he smiled mysteriously.
It was his last words that made me love him.
“I know I may not know you, Rosaline, but I have heard enough that I feel like I have known you for an eternity and wish to love and be loved by you forever.”
From then on, we met in secret, in an abandoned church across river Adige.
No one knew of our secret courtship, except for two of Romeo’s closest friends Benvolio and Mercutio and a trusting servant.
For weeks, nay months, Romeo and I met in secret, until that fateful day, almost two weeks ago.
That day, that horrible day! I dare not think of it, for it will certainly bring me to tears.
(Pauses to recover)
But I must go on, for no one will ever hear my story, if I do not.
It was a beautiful morning, though dark clouds lingered on the horizon, illuminating the sky.
I had been summoned to the Capulet house by the Lady herself.
When I left her house an hour later, I was elated - not even the impending storm could dampen my spirits.
My cousin & best friend, Juliet Capulet was coming back to Verona, after spending five years in the country with relatives.
There was so much I wanted to tell her! So many secrets I had, that I yearned to tell someone whom I could trust, the greatest of all being my love for Romeo of course.
How would she take it? It had been five years, after all.
A person’s character can be greatly altered in the course of five years.
Surely not the sweet, young Juliet though, the one I considered to be a sister?
I eagerly awaited her return.
It was on my way home from the Capulet’s palazzo when Benvolio pulled me into the shadows of an alley, informing me that Romeo wanted to see me, “You must come at once,” Benvolio had demanded.
I had been afraid that something terrible had happened to Romeo.
So I listened to my family’s sworn enemy, and followed him through the streets of Verona, until we reached the other side of the Adige.
Romeo was waiting for me, under the old willow tree by the church.
“Rosaline, my love!” he had proclaimed, sweeping me into his arms.
I can remember the first drop of rain falling onto my cheek; the storm had arrived.
Benvolio had turned away, moving out of the tree so that we could be alone.
“My all seeing sun,” Romeo had whispered in my ear, thunder rumbling in the distance.
It was then I had pulled away, saying that I could not stay long.
For something had curled in the pit of my stomach.
He was acting different that day.
Then he had asked that question.
“Rosaline, do you love me?” he had asked, his dark eyes burning through my own.
A simply question really, when I think about it now.
Though if it was a simple question, why did my stomach curl even more?
(Laughs bitterly)
Had I known then what Romeo had asked of me that day, I would never have met him here.
Those immortal words he spoke, now etched in my mind forever.
“Rosaline, would you consummate our love?”
I had stood in shock, as I realized what Romeo meant.
He wanted me to give up the one thing I owned in the world that gave me power.
In a society dominated by men, my virtue was the only thing I held against those who controlled me.
I shook my head slowly, from side to side
(shakes head)
If I had known now, that it would cause Romeo so much pain and suffering,
I may have reconsidered my decision.
I had fled away from Romeo back to my father’s house, tears and rain mixing freely.
I had thought Romeo was different from other men, that he did not lust but love instead.
How ever wrong I had been!
That afternoon, Juliet arrived home in Verona.
Suddenly I was not so happy to see her, my thoughts consumed with Romeo.
I did not notice the older Juliet, the girl who had turned from a sweet child into a beautiful woman.
Instead I thought of Romeo, and whether he did love me.
Juliet noticed something though. We had been left alone to talk.
“There is something bothering you, cousin. I see it in your eyes, your face,” she had said to me as soon as we were alone.
I shook my head, my heart broken.
“You must tell me, for if you do not, I cannot help you otherwise,” she had persuaded.
I had hesitated. Do I tell Juliet of Romeo and what had passed between us?
I revealed all to my best friend, entrusting her with my deepest secret.
Little did I know that very next night, Juliet would betray me.
Spiteful, hateful girl!
A feast, in honour of Juliet was held at the Capulet palazzo.
After a restless night, I had decided what I was going to do about Romeo.
I loved him, and I would give my whole life for him.
I was certain he would too.
A trusted servant had found me in my chambers the night of the feast, telling me that Romeo had been convinced by his friends to come to the Capulet house.
Romeo loved me! I had thought.
He was coming tonight, to find me.
My heart had swelled .
At the feast, I paid no attention to Juliet, instead trying to find Romeo.
I had wanted him to be the first person he saw; I wanted to tell him that I loved him.
I weaved in and out of the crowd.
(makes weaving motion)
There, on the steps looking down were Benvolio and Mercutio, disguised in the colours of the Capulet house.
Romeo stood between them, his eyes gazing down at me.
I stopped. (stops)
I could see the love pour out of Romeo’s eyes. He had forgiven me, and I him.
I rushed through the crowd, to Romeo.
But something in front of me made me stop short.
Or should I say someone.
Juliet stood to my left, close enough so that I might reach out and touch her.
Someone had distracted her. The distraction was Romeo.
I watched pitifully as Romeo advanced towards her, completely unaware of me.
I had stood there, rooted to the ground, as he proclaimed her to be the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Now here I stand, and there they stand. (points off stage)
Oblivious to the hurtful deceit, the pain that they have both caused.
The question is, what do I do now?
Am I to become as spiteful and vindictive as Juliet, who knew about my love for Romeo?
Do I betray them both and tell both Lord Montague and Lord Capulet of their children’s secret meeting?
I could kill them both, turn mad from a broken heart and murder them as they sleep.
I would achieve nothing in doing so!
I am not a hateful person! I love and I am kind!
I beg you, tell me what to do!
What would you have me to do?
(End)
-I doubt it though. You can really feel the emotion in this piece.
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