Balcony Scene and Escape
- Now the action really starts. The groom races up to the bride's window and invites her to escape with him into the spring-struck landscape. How romantic.
- There's no balcony involved here, but make no mistake: Shakespeare knew his Song of Songs. The idea of the man approaching the woman's window to steal her away from a repressive family is old as all get out.
- The lovers want to create a world of their own—you know, frolicking in the springtime and all that jazz—so they fantasize about running off together.
- Song of Songs isn't a linear story, so this scene is just that: a scene. It could be a fantasy of the bride or groom, a separate piece of the poem, or an actual narrative. But what it is isn't as crucial as the effect is has on the reader. Ah, poetry.
- By the time we get to verse 16, we're back to the bride talking lovingly about her groom. Read on for more juicy details.