Juliet: Character Analysis

Summary

This video script delves into the character of Juliet from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', highlighting her complex relationship with her family and nurse, her cautious yet blossoming love with Romeo, and her maturity in contrast to Romeo's immaturity. It explores the Elizabethan societal norms that confined Juliet and emphasizes her growth from a guarded girl to an assertive woman, ultimately presenting her as a proto-feminist figure whose actions and decisions drive the play's narrative.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The character of Juliet is first introduced in Act 1, Scene 3, where her distant relationship with her mother and close bond with her nurse are established.
• 👶 The nurse's role as a wet nurse to Juliet, a common practice among wealthy Elizabethan families, signifies her deep connection to Juliet since her birth.
• 🤔 Juliet's cautious and non-committal responses in Act 1, Scene 3 suggest her awareness of societal expectations and the lack of control over her future marriage.
• 💑 The meeting between Juliet and Romeo in Act 1, Scene 5, and their exchange in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, symbolizes their perfect match and mutual completion.
• 🔄 Juliet often mirrors Romeo's words in their dialogue, which could indicate her cautious nature or a playful form of flirting.
• 🌙 Juliet's maturity and practicality are contrasted with Romeo's immaturity and poetic hyperbole, especially evident in their balcony scene in Act 2, Scene 2.
• 🏠 The settings in which Juliet and Romeo are seen highlight the constraints of the patriarchal society; Juliet rarely leaves her father's property, unlike Romeo who roams freely.
• 👵 The nurse's role as a confidante and surrogate parent to Juliet changes as the play progresses, with Juliet distancing herself from the nurse as she matures.
• 💔 The deterioration of Juliet's relationship with the nurse is marked by the nurse's inability to understand Juliet's loyalty to Romeo and her advice to marry Paris instead.
• 🏛 The societal norms of Elizabethan England are reflected in the play's settings and character dynamics, emphasizing Juliet's limited freedom compared to Romeo.
• 💔 The dramatic emphasis on Juliet's death over Romeo's in the play suggests a proto-feminist perspective, presenting Juliet as a wiser and more significant character.

Q & A

What is the significance of Juliet's relationship with her nurse in the play?

Juliet's relationship with her nurse is significant as it shows a close bond that is akin to a mother-daughter relationship. The nurse has been with Juliet since her birth and has played a crucial role in her upbringing. This relationship is also indicative of the social norms of Elizabethan England, where a wet nurse, typically of a lower class, would nurse the child of a higher class family.

How does the script suggest that Juliet's relationship with her mother is distant?

The script suggests a distant relationship between Juliet and her mother through the dialogue where Lady Capulet cannot bear to talk to Juliet alone and asks the nurse to leave them to talk in secret. This dynamic is further emphasized by the closeness of Juliet's relationship with her nurse in contrast.

What role does the nurse play in Juliet's life, and how does it reflect the social structure of Elizabethan England?

The nurse plays the role of a surrogate mother and confidante to Juliet. This reflects the social structure of Elizabethan England, where it was common for wealthier families to employ wet nurses from a lower social class to care for their children. The nurse's role extends beyond infancy, showing a lifelong bond with Juliet.

How does the script analyze Juliet's dialogue in Act 1, Scene 3 regarding marriage?

The script points out that Juliet is given very little dialogue in Act 1, Scene 3, which is significant as it suggests her limited agency and voice in matters such as marriage. Her response to Lady Capulet's question about marrying Paris, 'It is an honor that I dream not of,' is non-committal and guarded, indicating her awareness of the societal expectations and constraints she faces.

What is the significance of the sonnet form used in the exchange between Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet ball?

The use of the sonnet form in their exchange symbolizes the perfection and completeness of their love for each other. It is a form of love poetry that consists of 14 lines of iambic pentameter with a specific rhyme scheme. This literary device signifies that Romeo and Juliet are meant for each other and that their love is profound and harmonious.

How does the script interpret the mirroring language used by Juliet in her conversations with both Romeo and Lady Capulet?

The script interprets the mirroring language as a sign of Juliet's cautious nature, especially in expressing her feelings. By repeating words used by others, she may be subtly flirting or simply being cautious not to reveal too much of her own emotions.

What does the script suggest about the maturity levels of Romeo and Juliet?

The script suggests that Juliet is more mature and practical compared to Romeo. This is evident in their conversations, where Juliet often provides down-to-earth responses to Romeo's poetic and hyperbolic statements. Her maturity is further highlighted by her initiative in discussing marriage with Romeo.

How does the script discuss the role of women in Elizabethan England and its reflection in the play?

The script discusses the limited rights and opportunities for women in Elizabethan England, such as the inability to attend school, own property, or vote. It reflects this in the play through the arranged marriage plot and the limited agency of Juliet, who is expected to comply with her father's decisions regarding her future.

What is the significance of the different settings in which Romeo and Juliet are seen throughout the play?

The different settings emphasize the patriarchal society of the time. Juliet is often seen within her father's property, signifying her limited freedom and the control exerted over her by patriarchal norms. In contrast, Romeo is portrayed as free to roam and act independently, reflecting the differing expectations and freedoms for men and women.

How does the script analyze the changing relationship between Juliet and her nurse as the play progresses?

The script analyzes the changing relationship by highlighting the nurse's role as a surrogate parent and confidante that Juliet initially relies on. However, as Juliet matures and the plot develops, especially following Tybalt's death and the nurse's advice to marry Paris, Juliet distances herself from the nurse, asserting her independence and indicating a shift in their relationship.

What emphasis does the script place on Juliet's death compared to Romeo's in the context of the play's dramatic impact?

The script places more dramatic emphasis on Juliet's death as it occurs later in the play, allowing her character to have a greater impact on the audience. This supports a proto-feminist interpretation, presenting Juliet as wiser and more important than Romeo.