Juliet

• What are the audiences first impressions of Juliet?


  At the start of the play Shakespeare emphasises Juliet's youth.

  As with Lord Montague discussing Romeo, Juliet is introduced through her father. in act 1 scene 2 he tells Paris, 'She hath not seen the change of fourteen years', and reveals that she is an only child.

  Juliet appears in the next scene, alongside Lady Capulet & the nurse who have a similar discussion about her age.

  She appears to have little interest in love or marriage ("It is an honour that I dream not of") until she meets Romeo.
• How does she show her feelings for Romeo? Pt 1


  Although Romeo instigates their relationship, Juliet readily encourages him and mirrors his use of religious imagery. 'For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,/ and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.'

  Later, talking to herself on her balcony, Juliet implies that she would give up everything for Romeo, 'be but sworn my love/ and I'll no longer be a Capulet.'

  She is embarrassed to find Romeo has overheard her, 'a maiden blush bepaint my cheek', but she says she doesn't deny her feelings for him
• Quotes


  'O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? / Deny thy father and refuse thy name...'

  'holy palmers' kiss '

  ' happy dagger '
• Summary

  • Shakespeare emphasises Juliet's youth and she initially seems obedient
  • She appears to have no wish to get married
  • She encourages Romeo's love, even after finding out that he is a Montague
  • Despite some caution about Romeo's faithfulness, Juliet confesses her love and suggests that they can get married
• Juliet's Development - Quotes


  ' Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st! / A damned saint, an honourable villain!'

  'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife / Shall play the umpire ..'

  ' O happy dagger. / This is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die '
• Juliet's development - Summary

  • Juliet goes through conflicting feelings after Tybalt's death: first thinking Romeo has died, then being horrified by Romeo's actions, before reproaching herself and finally feeling despair at his banishment
  • Her relationship with her parents is destroyed when she refuses to marry Paris
  • Her loneliness is completed when she feels she cannot rely on her nurse
  • Juliet's faithfulness to Romeo makes her strong-willed & reckless. She threatens to kill herself before following the friar's advice