1. Light vs. Darkness:
- The play frequently contrasts light and darkness, symbolizing the lovers' pure and passionate love against the backdrop of a hostile feud.
- The famous balcony scene occurs at night, adding a sense of mystery and secrecy to their encounter.
2. Love vs. Hate:
- The Montagues and Capulets represent the extreme opposition of love and hate, with their long-standing feud preventing reconciliation and acceptance.
- Romeo and Juliet's love is seen as a defiance of this hatred and a challenge to the social order.
3. Youth vs. Age:
- Romeo and Juliet are young and passionate, embodying the impulsiveness and idealism of youth.
- The older generation, represented by characters like Lord Capulet and Friar Laurence, is more cautious and practical, often unable to understand the intensity of the young lovers' emotions.
4. Fortune vs. Fate:
- Romeo believes in fate, declaring, "I am fortune's fool." Despite their best efforts, the lovers are constantly thwarted by external forces beyond their control, creating a sense of helplessness.
- The play raises the question of whether their tragic fate is a result of bad luck or a pre-determined destiny.
5. Passion vs. Reason:
- Romeo and Juliet are swept away by their passionate love, neglecting rational thought and caution.
- Their impulsive decisions, such as the hasty marriage and the ill-fated plan to escape Verona, ultimately lead to their downfall.
6. Life vs. Death:
- The play's central theme revolves around the lovers' tragic deaths.
- Their love is so intense and all-consuming that they cannot imagine life without each other, choosing death as the ultimate escape from the harsh realities of their world.
By employing juxtaposition and binary oppositions, Shakespeare creates a complex web of tension and conflict in Act 2 of Romeo and Juliet. The contrasting elements highlight the challenges the young lovers face, building suspense and foreshadowing the tragic events that will ultimately unfold.