Juliet

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Extended Character Analysis

Juliet is one of the titular characters in Shakespeare’s tragic love story and Romeo’s lover. The only daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet, Juliet is almost fourteen years old when the play opens. She is characterized early on in the play by her compliance and respect for authority. She is shy about discussing marriage and sex; for example, when her nurse recites bawdy jokes, Juliet recoils in embarrassment. She obeys her parents and her nurse, and she dutifully attends the ball where she is to meet her potential suitor, Paris.

The ball marks a turning point in Juliet’s character development. She meets Romeo at the ball and falls in love with him. While Romeo speaks in overly sentimental sonnets, Juliet’s approach to love is more level-headed, displaying an insightful and measured understanding of love. She weighs her love of Romeo with her knowledge that he is, by name, her enemy. As she says, “‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy / Thou art thyself, though not a Montague / What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot … What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” (act II, scene II). Juliet is able to overlook her family’s generational feud to see that names are arbitrary. She understands that a name should not tinge her love for Romeo. In contrast to Romeo, who often acts impulsively and speaks about Juliet’s ethereal beauty, Juliet roots her love for Romeo in reality. This can be seen in the most recognizable scene of the play, in which Romeo professes his love to Juliet as she stands on the balcony. Juliet, more grounded in reality, asks Romeo directly, “Dost thou love me?” She encourages Romeo to speak plainly, to love her genuinely, and to be frank with her.

While Romeo is fantastical in his approach to love, Juliet is sensible, developing a resourcefulness and discretion in her actions. She arranges their night together and plans for their wedding. Juliet sternly refuses Paris’s proposal of marriage, and when her nurse encourages her to marry Paris, she ceases to share intimate details of her life with her. Juliet’s love for Romeo is so sincere and genuine that she sunders her relationship with her family and destroys her social standing in order to protect it. In the final scenes of the play, Juliet again demonstrates her practicality by weighing all of the outcomes of taking Friar Laurence’s sleeping potion.

From a naive, docile, and acquiescent teen, Juliet emerges as the more mature and logical of the eponymous couple. She reigns in Romeo’s sentimentality and arranges the more practical matters of their relationship. Critics argue that even in the last moments of her life, Juliet demonstrates courage and strength. When Romeo mistakenly believes Juliet to be dead and poisons himself, Juliet stabs herself in the heart with a dagger in an effort to join him in death. By killing herself in such a way, she illustrates her valor and her devotion to Romeo. The deaths of Juliet and Romeo bring together the two feuding families. Juliet dies not only for her love but also to help the Capulets find peace with the Montagues.

Expert Q&A

What is the meaning of Juliet's quote in Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet: "O serpent heart hid with a flowering face! / Did ever a dragon keep so fair a cave? / Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical!"?

In Romeo and Juliet, the meaning of this quote is that Romeo has a dark side. Juliet's just found out that Romeo has killed Tybalt. This indicates to her that, beneath his beautiful exterior, Romeo has a less attractive side to his personality.

Which 10 words best describe Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet?

The ten words that best describe Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet are young, human, sheltered, ingenuous, obedient, pretty, loyal, loving, resolved, and independent. These descriptors capture her transformation from a naive, compliant girl into a woman who prioritizes love over familial duty, demonstrating both rational decision-making and emotional depth throughout the play.

What are some examples of Juliet's naivety in Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet's naivety in "Romeo and Juliet" is evident in her impulsive decisions and lack of foresight. She falls in love with Romeo at first sight, disregarding the risk of their feuding families. Her belief that a name doesn't define a person shows her innocence, overlooking the hereditary feud that determines Romeo's identity. She impulsively initiates their marriage and promises to lay all her fortunes at Romeo's feet without considering the potential consequences. Her naivety is also shown in her willingness to hide Romeo from her family, risking their lives.

What are 10 facts about Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet Capulet is the sole heir to the Capulet dynasty and had other siblings who did not survive. The story of Juliet predates Shakespeare, with earlier versions naming her Giulietta. A house in Verona, believed to be the Capulet's, features a balcony and a statue of Juliet, attracting tourists who post love letters for luck. Juliet was nearly fourteen, a typical age for marriage and childbirth in her time.

How many siblings does Juliet have in "Romeo and Juliet"?

Juliet has no living siblings in "Romeo and Juliet." Lord Capulet mentions that all his other children have died, making Juliet his only surviving child. Lady Capulet's age suggests she could not have had many children before Juliet, and the Nurse's comments imply Juliet was the only child she nursed for the Capulets.

In Romeo and Juliet, how does Juliet reflect the Renaissance period?

In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet reflects the Renaissance period through her engagement in the era's marital practices and societal expectations. During the Renaissance, marriages, particularly among the upper class, were arranged for social and political gains rather than love, and required parental consent for minors. Juliet, not yet fourteen, is subjected to these norms as her parents arrange her marriage to Paris, emphasizing the period's view of marriages as strategic alliances rather than romantic unions. Despite these pressures, Juliet's eventual rejection of these norms by marrying Romeo signifies a challenge to the conventional expectations of her time.

Why did Juliet consume the poison in Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet consumes the poison to avoid her arranged marriage to Paris, following Friar Lawrence's plan to reunite with Romeo. The poison, which induces a deep sleep resembling death, is meant to allow Romeo to retrieve her from the Capulet tomb. However, Romeo doesn't receive the explanatory letter in time, leading to a tragic misunderstanding and the eventual deaths of both lovers.

What is Juliet's role in Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet's role is that of a strong-willed heroine who drives key actions in the play. Initially obedient and childlike, she matures into a decisive character, challenging her family's wishes and standing firm against societal expectations. Juliet acts as a dramatic foil to Romeo, highlighting his impulsiveness with her rationality. Her choices, particularly taking the potion, significantly influence the tragic outcome, ultimately leading to the end of the family feud.

Who, besides Romeo, does the Nurse say wants to marry Juliet and what are Juliet's feelings towards him?

The Nurse informs Romeo that Paris also wants to marry Juliet. However, Juliet is uninterested in Paris, feeling he is as appealing as a toad. Despite Paris being considered a suitable match, Juliet's disdain is evident as she turns pale when the Nurse praises Paris. Juliet's infatuation with Romeo is clear, and she ultimately refuses to marry Paris, opting instead for a secret marriage with Romeo.

What does Juliet's conversation with Paris reveal about her feelings towards him?

Juliet's conversation with Paris reveals her disdain and resentment towards him. She is brief and dismissive, reflecting her unwillingness to marry him and her true love for Romeo. Despite Paris's attempts at affection, Juliet rebuffs him and seeks Friar Lawrence's help to avoid the marriage. Her reluctance and rudeness highlight her sorrow over Tybalt's death and anger at her parents.

Why shouldn't Juliet marry Paris in Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet should not marry Paris because she is already in love with Romeo, to whom she is secretly married. Marrying Paris would betray her emotional and physical commitment to Romeo and violate Catholic Church laws. Additionally, Juliet's marriage to Paris would reinforce her father's control over her life and hinder any future reunion with Romeo. Juliet's parents' insistence on the marriage leads to further conflict and ultimately contributes to the tragic ending of the play.

Analysis of Juliet's Quote in Romeo and Juliet

Juliet's quotes in Romeo and Juliet often reveal her intense emotions and inner conflicts. Her famous line, "O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?" underscores her anguish over Romeo's identity as a Montague, the family enemy. This quote exemplifies her struggle between her love for Romeo and the feud dividing their families, highlighting the play's themes of love and conflict.

Show another question (6 questions hidden)

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Romeo

Next

Mercutio

Loading...