Consider the character of Juliet Essay Example For Students

Consider the character of Juliet Essay Consider the character of Juliet. How does she change and develop from the beginning of the play and once she meets Romeo? Refer to Shakespeares use of language. Romeo and Juliet, one of the most revered and profoundly known love stories of all time. Adopted for play performance from an Italian poem first written by Masuccio Salernitano in 1476, William Shakespeare elaborated and enhanced the great tragedy; and it is his version that continues to be remembered through the ages. Shakespeare is worldly renowned as one of the best dramatists of all time and was famous for his plays especially for his tragedies such as Macbeth, Othello and Hamlet. These were most likely tinted by his own life experiences and idealistic view of love which we can see from his other work, take for example Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee? In the play Romeo and Juliet, the Elizabethan audiences moral and social views (such as marriage and religion) are challenged as they are forced to see the inadequacies or sometimes harshness of the customs of their era. We are introduced to a young girl of 13 years, born into the comfort of an upper class family, whose life had already been predestined for her in terms of marriage and was expected to be compliant with her parents wishes. She is seen today as one of the best tragic heroines, because she starts off as a submissive and naive child who is unaware of the ways of the world and blossoms into a strong and resolute woman who overlooks the meaningless customs and is prepared to go to extreme lengths to fulfil her true destiny. In Act 1 Scene 3, we meet the heroine of the play Juliet for the first time. She is being introduced to the audience by her nurse, as she calls her to come: What lamb! What lady-bird! This first comparison already gives an impression that Juliet is vulnerable, quiet or needs lots of guidance, as lambs do. This could also be interpreted to mean that the Nurse believes that Juliet was just a follower of her parents commands and didnt have a mind of her own. We later see in this scene that Juliet was prepared to be guided wholly by her parents in view of marriage. Ill look to like, if looking liking move./But no more deep will I endart mine eye/ Than your consent gives strength to make it fly and that she was very discreet and subdued. When Juliet does come, she answers What is your will? This response shows some of the characteristics of Juliet. It shows her directness and straight-to-the-point attitude towards her mother. This could be because she didnt see her mother often (they o nly talk twice in the play) and so there must be an important reason why her mother needed to call her. It could also be that she wasnt close to her mother and so didnt feel comfortable talking to her we can clearly see that Juliet is much closer to her Nurse than to Lady Capulet (we see this in the casualness of speech between them, Act 2 Scene 5, and also when Juliet confides in the Nurse in Act 3 Scene 5). Lady Capulet asks the Nurse to leave them so that they could speak privately, although quickly rethinks saying that the Nurse should hear our (that is, Juliets parents) counsel. It seems as if Lady Capulet doesnt feel very comfortable talking about this subject to her daughter, because the speech comparing Paris to a book seems rehearsed, as it is in the style of a poem, for example This precious book of love, this unbound lover/ To beautify him only lacks a cover. This is the first appearance of double meanings in the play, as Lady Capulet is actually talking about bed covers rather than book covers, and she is possibly trying to entice Juliet into thinking of the sexual pleasures that will come with marriage. Also, despite the fact that Juliet had witnessed her mother using double meanings, she did not begin to use them until she met Romeo. This shows that even her mother didnt make as much of an impression on her behaviour than Romeo does. Shakespeare uses poetry in Romeo and Juliet, only at scenes of high importance such as the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, and so Lady Capulets speech doesnt seem genuine. For example Romeo introduces poetic language to Juliet when they meet for the first time at the party and she carries on the poem such as palm to palm is holy palmers kiss. Using poetic language is Romeo and Juliets secret language only to be used by them, and Lady Capulet intrudes on their poetic language by using it herself. This can be seen as allegory for the outcome of the whole of the play, the family intrude on Romeo and Juliets relationship resulting in the death of both of them. Children being close to their nurses was common at the time. The Nurses opinion was important, as nurses were valued members of the household in Elizabethan times, and would be in charge of the welfare of babies. The children were usually breastfed and taken care of, and raised by the nurse. Lady Capulet speaks about Juliet being of a pretty age- or ready for marriage. This was a common view of the time, and Lady Capulet seems to have previous experience on the matter, as she had a baby around Juliets age which identifies her to be roughly 28 years old and since her husband is an old man (act 1, Scene 2, Line 3), it raises the suspicion that she herself had an arranged marriage, as was the custom of the day. The Nurse then has a long speech which reminisces about the period of when Juliet was born, and then addresses her. The way Juliet responds is commendable, for after her mother, Lady Capulet has become exasperated (hold thy peace) she continues to be respectful of the Nurse and finds a polite way to stop her ramblings I pray thee Nurse, say I (line 49). Lady Capulet shifts the focus of the conversation and asks a direct question about Juliets inclination to be married. Juliet answers in a way intended to please. She describes marriage as an honour. This line probably shows how marriage was seen as a guarantee and gateway to a good life and that marriage was the highlight of a young maids life. Juliet also says that marriage was something that she dream not of. She had not really thought about the concept of marriage before, but Lady Capulet responds quickly and pushes Juliet for an answer, and gets to the point saying that Paris seeks Juliet and then urges Juliet to look him over, and this was crudely encouraged by the Nurse. Juliet answers tactfully in lines 97-99; she makes a non-committal statement by saying she will expect to like him if looks is what stirs her to like him. This shows that she is very intelligent and reserved in her speech (despite her sentences being short and limited in variety in this scene) while still remaining tactful. She doesnt want to offend her mother by refusing her suggestion, Ill look to like if looking liking move, although she has her own mind and can make her own decisions and so doesnt make any promises. It also demonstrates Juliets mature views for her age, as most girls of 13 would have been excited to have a man request for her to b e his wife. It also shows her utmost obedience as she will not look any further than her mother gives consent to. How does it appeal to a modern audience?   EssayThe Nurse then interrupts Romeo and Juliets private moment, as she says that Juliets mother would like to speak to her. As the crowd begin to disperse, there is a moment of dramatic tension. Juliet wishes to know the name of her new found lover, and tries to point him out to the nurse tension builds as the Nurse continues to identify the wrong person. There is dramatic irony in the sense that the audience knows that Romeo and Juliet both belong to families that are raging enemies of each other. In addition, Juliets verse seems to be a premonition (my grave is like to be my wedding bed line 132) and also Romeos prediction (my life is my foes debt line 115) of what is bound to happen at the end of the play; as if the love was doomed. This association between love and death runs throughout the play. When Juliet says Prodigious birth of love it is to me (line 140) she marks out the lovers meeting in birth and death. In Act 2, Scene 2, Juliet for the first time is by herself, and away from all the other characters in the play (apart from Romeo whom she is unaware of during her speech who is secretly listening) is free to express her feelings. She talks about her love for Romeo, and the situation in the play because of the family feud. Her character seems to completely change within the short span of the couples meeting. She now sees the usual every day trivialities of life, and asks why Romeo is Romeo, and tells him to forsake his family and she will deny hers. This has become one of the most famous love scenes, but also has become clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d through over-use. It has been adapted time and time again in different settings (such as a swimming pool in Baz Luhrmans feature film), and it is one of the defining moments in dramatic performance. However, its meaning has also become lost, as most people believe it to mean that Juliet is looking for Romeo, and so her line is Where are you Romeo, whereas shes asking why Romeo is Romeo or a Montague Romeo Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo. If he was from any other family, maybe her own family would be more willing for them to marry, although she has already begun to consider whether she needs or wants her familys approval. This disobedience has sprung from her love for Romeo. She looks to see past the meaningless family feud, and sees it for what it is, childish differences, that she does not allow that to stop her feelings of true love. One of the most famous lines of Shakespeares work is recorded in Juliets speech Whats in a name?/ That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet In this speech it is as if she throws of her childish ways, (in the same way as she asks Romeo to doff his name in line 48) as she sees things from a new perspective and asks a simple question, but its answer changes her perception of her family and their grudge against the Capulets. Whats Montague? She shakes off the preconceptions about status that had she had been conditioned to believe in since childhood, and we can see this through the conversation with her mother in Act 1 Scene 3, where she talks about ladies of esteem. She is questioning the value of the class system , even though her family is well-r espected and is wealthy (the Nurse talks about the chinks of the household) she would give it all up for her lover. Although Juliets speech was not meant for Romeos ears, he speaks and says the he will forsake his name and family for her. Her responses to the description of Romeos journey shows a lot about her character. She is very frank and honest in nature and is almost dismissive of Romeos charming statements about his love for her. She is very practical and direct with her words and does not try to sugar-coat the situation. For example in lone 64 Juliet says And the place deathif any of my kinsmen find thee here. Romeo gives a poetic and elaborate reply about how love will triumph over all and therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me although his idealistic and optimistic view of love was rather impractical in their situation. Juliet flatly replies If they do see thee, they will murder thee, although they stay on the balcony. When Romeo proceeds to compliment her, Juliet admits that she is in fact blushing, although it seems as if Juliet is apprehensive of words that could prove to be deceptive or doesnt show ones true feelings. Therefore Juliet then says farewell compliment in line 89, and pleads to Romeo to speak plainly and clearly. O gentle/Romeo if thou dost love pronounce it faithfully This shows that Juliet doesnt want Romeos fanciful, elaborated oath she would rather he spoke it plainly. After they confess their love to each other, another Juliets language changes once again. It becomes filled with metaphors and emotive language, just like Romeos. She also speaks of characters from Greek mythology which shows her to have more worldly knowledge than her mother and nurse think. She says Romeo is her tassel-gentle which she wishes could call back if she had a falconers voice (line 161-62). Juliet also seems to have a new view of her surroundings. Girls in the Elizabethan era wouldnt leave home until they were married, but Juliet now views her home as some kind of prison as she states Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud. She can not talk loudly to Romeo because she is trapped in her own home, and this could also be viewed symbolically for the restraints of the couple. Her house (family and stature) are trapping her from being with Romeo, because he is a Montague, and she can not voice her opinions blatantly. Another example of Juliets language becoming richer, from the balcony meeting is when she describes the spoiled child with a pet bird. That lets it hop a little from his hand/Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gives/And with a silken thread plucks it back again/So loving-jealous of his liberty. These metaphors were not apparent in Juliets language until after she meets Romeo. In conclusion, Juliets character developed drastically from the beginning of the play until after she meets Romeo, and Shakespeare used her youthful innocence and naivety as a backdrop for which the storys underlying themes of overpowering love and fate can unfold. Romeo and Juliet uses intense moments of dramatic suspense in which we see a young girl blossom into a strong and resolute woman who succeeds in her quest for love.