Analyzing Romeo's Song 'Francis Forever'

“Francis Forever” by Mitski The song that fits best with Romeo’s entry in act 1 scene 1 is “Francis Forever” by Mitski. Similar to Romeo’s anguish over Rosaline’s rejection to his affections, the song is about not being seen by the one you love most. According to Benvolio, Romeo walks underneath a sycamore grove before dawn in his sorrow, much like how the song states, “On sunny days, I go out walking / I end up on a tree-lined street” (9-10). When Romeo is seen by Benvolio during his walk, he hides quickly from his cousin, similar to when it says in the song, “I don’t need the world to see / That I’ve been the best I can be” (5-6). Romeo does not want to be seen by his family in his state, although he tries to be in his best form. Lastly,

at the Disco is the best to represent Romeo and Juliet’s meeting in act 2 scene 2. The song’s characterization of the sun and moon is similar to Romeo and Juliet’s comparison of each other as night and day. In the balcony scene, Romeo refers to Juliet as the sun, saying, “What light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (2.2.2-3). Then, while waiting for Romeo for their first night as a married couple, Juliet describes him as the embodiment of night, saying, “Take [Romeo] and cut him out in little stars, / And he will make the face of heaven so fine / That all the world will be in love with night” (3.2.22-24). The song is also set in the middle of summer, as well as the play, since it is set a few weeks before Lammas-eve, which is July 31. When Romeo goes to the Capulet party, he plans only to have fun and nothing else. Instead, he finds Juliet and is enthralled by her, like when the song states, “Well he was hanging around / Then he fell in love” (28-29). Also, when the moon and sun first meet, it says, “He looked like he was barely hanging on / But her eyes saved his life” (9-10). When Romeo first meets Juliet, he is depressed over Rosaline not reciprocating his affections. Yet, when he sees Juliet for the first time, he becomes forgets his grief and falls in love with Juliet, saying, “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.52-53). With the personalization of the sun and moon as well as the similar situations, the song conveys the enchanting love felt by Romeo and