Romeo and Juliet (Character Analysis: Juliet)

Romeo and Juliet (Character Analysis: Juliet)

1. First Impression of Juliet

   • Submissive to her parents
     • "It is an honour that I dream not of"
       • "I'll look to like if looking liking move"
         • "But no more deep will I endart mine eye than your consent gives it strength to fly"

2. Reaction to major events

   • Upon learning that Romeo is a Montague
     • Attempts to rationalise and reach a solution
       • Tis but thy name is my enemy, thou art thy self though not a Montague
         • What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot nor arm nor face nor any part belonging to a man"
           • First reaction is to think about the situation and resolve it. rather than dwell on the impossible
           • which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet
   • During their exchange at the balcony
     • Realises the rash and impossibly quick exchange of vows is unwise
       • "I have no joy of this contract tonight
         • "It is too rash too unadvised too sudden too like the lightning"
           • "This bud of love by summer's ripening breath may prove a beauteous flower when we next meet"
             • Suggests that their love should be tended to and nurtured until it reaches full bloom
   • When she heard that Romeo had killed Tybalt
     • Initial Reaction: Angry
       • "O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face"
         • feels that Romeo had deceived her by comparing him to an evil snake within, and on the outside, disguised himself as a good man
           • “damned saint” where she mocks and criticises him because this religious reference was used by Romeo when he was courting Juliet at the Capulet Ball, where he used religious references like “holy palmers kiss”
             • therefore, over here, Juliet is despising him and thinks that that was all a lie “O that deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous palace” ---- highlights how she feels betrayed that he lied to her by appearing as caring and loyal but later becoming evil by killing her beloved Tybalt
         • beautiful tyrant fiend angelical
     • First change in reaction: Regret
       • he realises that as Romeo’s wife, it is wrong to to accuse her own husband
         • “O what a beast was I to chide him”
           • “shall I speak ill of him that is my husband”
             • remembers her position as his wife, realises that it is only logical for her to support him, and not go against him
               • “what tongue shall smooth thy name when i thy three hours wife have mangled it?”----- remembers her loyalty to Romeo, where she promised him that she “will follow thee, my lord, throughout the world”
     • Second change in reaction: Happiness
       • changes to that of happiness upon discovering that Romeo is alive and realises that she is very lucky at the way things turned out to be
         • “back foolish tears, back to your native spring”
           • highlights how she stops herself from grieving over Tybalt’s death but instead to be joyful about Romeo’s predicament
             • she rationalises, “my husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain and Tybalt’s dead, that would have slain my husband”
               • “All this is comfort, wherefore weep I then”
   • On her impending marriage to Paris
     • looks for help and comfort from those who are closest to her before turning to the final solution (death)
       • "comfort me, counsel me. Alack alack that the heavens should practice stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself"
         • "If all else fail, I myself have power to die"
           • Initial reaction is to seek for advice and a solution rather than to give into despair
             • she then recognizes if nothing will work, she will have to make her own decisions
               • "My dismal scene I needs must act alone"
   • On learning Romeo's death
     • Wastes no time and immediately acts
       • "O churl, drunk all and left no friendly drop to help me after"
         • "Haply some poison yet doth hang on them to make me die with a restorative"
           • "O happy dagger"
             • Willing to die, not afraid for she knows that she will be reunited with her loved one

3. Juliet's Transition: Submissive --> Developing Confidence --> Independence