Juliet - Character Analysis

• ''Nurse, give leave awhile. We must talk in secret. Nurse come back again''


  Presents the mother-daughter relationship as distant.
• Why might Shakespeare have only allowed Juliet to speak a few lines in Act 1, Scene 3 compared to the Nurse and Lady Capulet?


  To present how Juliet is guarded with her mother. She is much more open with her Nurse.
• What was life like for women in Elizabethan England?

  • Belonged to their fathers and then their husbands when they married
  • Could not attend school or university
  • Could not purchase or own property
  • Could not vote
  • Were not allowed on stage
  • Juliet may have said little amounts in Act 1, Scene 3 because she knows that her future marriage is outside of her control.
• Why might Shakespeare have used a sonnet for Romeo and Juliet's speech in Act 1, scene 5?

  To symbolize how the couple are perfect for each other and complete each other
• Why might have Shakespeare mirrored Romeo's/Lady Capulet's words with Juliet?

  To show how she is cautious of Romeo, trying not to give too much away of her own feelings or could be flirting, creating a playful effect.
• In Act 2, scene 2, what are the differences between Romeo and Juliet's words between each other?

  Romeo - Hyperbolic and poetic

  Juliet- Practical and mature

  This juxtaposition highlights Juliet's wisdom and maturity to the audience.
• ''If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow''

  Juliet is still cautious about Romeo's intentions.
• ''Bondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud''

  Juliet is pointing out how she must be quiet as her father is in control
• Why might it be significant that Juliet is mostly in her parent's property/In the same setting throughout the play?

  It reminds us of the patriarchal society in which Juliet lives with.
• What is significant about Juliet being the last to die in the play?

  Has a greater impact on the audience, backing up the feminist interpretation, highlighting how Juliet is more important than Romeo
• State a quote which describes the growing distant relationship between Juliet and the Nurse

  ''Ancient damnation''