Answering a Juliet exam question Date: Objectives Examine notes on the female protagonist of the play to come to a better understanding of Juliet Form a serious opinion about Juliet so as to write an essay. Warm-up – Examine all the key words that describe Juliet. Pick one and explain it then. Inexperienced, loving, frank, faithful, practical, clever, capable, spontaneous, unfortunate

Purpose: Form an opinion of Juliet The following slides are like the ‘important parts’ for the character of Juliet. They argue that she starts the play as an obedient, immature robot but then after meeting Romeo, she grows into a woman. The point of the slides is help you form an opinion about Juliet by looking at two decisions she makes. Introduction: How is he introduced? Challenges: What issues does he face? Crisis: What important decisions does he make? Resolution: What are the consequences of those decisions. Final impression: What did you learn from him.

Juliet: Bio - Introduction Juliet is the thirteen year old daughter and heir of the Capulet Family. At this age, she is expected to get married to whomever her parents decide without question. She knows little about the world of love; seeing it as a duty as she calls marriage: “an honour that I dream not of” (Act 1, scene 3) She appears naive in her obedience and immature in her view of love as she goes along with her parents plan of marriage. This play can be seen as the story of Juliet growing up quickly after experiencing love for the first time; gaining the strength to think for herself and make her own decisions. Examine Act 1, scene 3 – only Juliet’s lines. Juliet says very little in her first scene. How much of what she says is her saying what she wants and how much is her being obedient to her mother.

Challenges: Maturing Juliet’s meeting with Romeo pushes her quickly into adulthood; showing her to become more assertive and less obedient. She kisses Romeo without knowing his name and immediately thinks of marriage. Juliet knows exactly what she wants and what it will take to get it, as she says in the balcony scene: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse they name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (Act 2, scene 2) She is willing to abandon her family, on whom she is dependent upon, to be with the man she loves. She is far from the obedient, naive child one act ago. Examine Act 2, scene 2 – Juliet’s lines. Find evidence of her being concerned about Romeo’s safety. (Practical)

Crises: Adulthood Juliet’s big decision in the play comes after Romeo has killed her cousin. While her first reactions are grief and anger towards the villain Romeo, she still chooses him over her family, the nurse and the life she had: “My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain; And Tybalt’s dead, that would have slain my husband. All this is comfort” (Act 3, scene 2) She chooses to be Romeo’s wife; to be fully committed and loyal to him. In doing so she displays independence, courage and conviction; all of which she lacked before meeting Romeo. Examine Act 4, scene 3 – Juliet’s soliloquy Romeo had always dismissed fear – love would always save the day. Find evidence of Juliet being afraid and seeing what might go wrong.

Resolution: explaining her suicide It is important to note that Juliet’s suicide is different to Romeo’s. While Romeo still has friends, family and opportunities, Juliet feels completely abandoned and alone. Her parents threatened to disown her, she felt completely betrayed by the nurse who suggested she marry Paris and finally, her one true love lays dead beside her. Her hope is to continue the choice she made and follow Romeo, as she says: To help me after? I will kiss thy lips. Haply some poison doth hang on them”. (Act 5, scene 3). The play marks Juliet’s rapid maturity and tragic waste of life. It must be remembered that she is a thirteen year old girl in a story set in the 1300’s. Her story is one of independence, fighting fate and finding love. Examine Act 5, scene 3 – what is Friar Laurence’s alternative for Juliet? Where does he suggest she go?

Juliet: final impression A major criticism of the play is that Juliet does not go with Romeo straight away when he is banished. She is that smart and strong that the audience feels she could have done something. We are told at the beginning that this is fate however. Her end is inevitable and has a purpose beyond herself. What might have happened if she had lived?

Homework: At the end of the week, you shall be given the task to write an essay on Romeo, Juliet or Tybalt. The question will be ‘Write about your favourite character. Why do you find that character interesting?’ Tonight: Question – 1 paragraph, half A4 page: Do you like Juliet? Why or why not? Give evidence for your answer. In summary then, we examined the following in this class: Juliet’s introduction in Act 1 The problems she faces in Act 2 The decisions she makes in Act 3 How it ends for her in Act 4 and 5