What does Juliet mean when she says, "I have no joy of this contract tonight./It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;/Too like the lightning, which...

These
lines are spoken inof Shakespeare's . The scene is usually referred to as
the balcony scene ashas gone into the Capulet orchard to catch another glimpse of , and the
scene plays out with Romeo standing below the balcony speaking with Juliet. He just met Juliet
at the party in Act I and has already fallen head over heels in love with the girl. Likewise,
Juliet has fallen instantly in love with Romeo, but here she expresses her misgivings over the
speed of their courtship. Because she is a Capulet and Romeo a Montague there are problems
because their families are mortal enemies.

At the end of the party in , the
two have discovered each other's identities, but this does not stop Romeo from pursuing his
emotions and his encounter with Juliet at the balcony confirms his suspicions that Juliet shares
his feelings. Unlike Romeo, Juliet is reticent to engage in something that would be forbidden by
her parents and family. The relationship is "too sudden" and she realizes that it may
lead to trouble. The audience is already well aware of the enmity between the two families as
the play opens with a street brawl instigated by the servants of Juliet's family and her cousin
. When Romeo appears below her balcony, she is instantly aware that his presence could mean his
death because of the hatred her relatives have for the Montagues. Ultimately, however, she
cannot hide her feelings and she pledges her love for Romeo, despite her reservations about the
hasty nature of their love.