"Our first knowledge of Juliet is of her youth (she is not yet 14), and this must influence our opinions of her throughout the play."
"At times she reveals the immaturity and naivety one would expect of one so young, but at other times, she shows a maturity and depth of thought and feeling beyond her years."
" "
"At first Juliet is the obedient, filial daughter that would be expected in a noble family of the time."
"She easily gives way to her parents' suggestion about a possible marriage to Paris."
" "
"Later, however, after she has fallen in love with Romeo, she begins to be more independent."
7
"Juliet has a quick mind and a lively wit. When she first meets Romeo, she shares with him a charming and witty sonnet."
"This not only shows her intelligence, but also stresses the balance and equality of their love."
"We may think she gives way too easily to Romeo, but an examination of her words show that she is modest, but her modesty is overcome by her feelings for him."
" "
"Later, in the balcony scene, Juliet shows a certain maturity and depth of thought, mixed with a youthful eagerness and frankness."
"For example, she queries the wisdom of a society that classifies people according to their family:"
"*What's in a name?"
8
"She cannot help herself from revealing her love, but at the same time her thoughts are practical concerns for Romeo's safety:"
"*If they do see thee, they will murder thee. (II,ii)"
"and she also questions the speed with which things are moving"
"*It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden. (II,ii)"
" "
"We feel here that Juliet has entirely opened her heart to Romeo, partly because he overheard her, but also because of the open honest nature of Juliet herself."
" "
"Later Juliet's practicality and cleverness allow her to deceive her family."
6
"For example, she goes to marry Romeo, when they think she is going to confession; she lets them believe she is mourning for Tybalt, when in fact she is crying for Romeo."
"Most daring of all, with the Friar's help, she pretends her own death in the scheme to be reunited with Romeo."
" "
"We feel much sympathy for Juliet because of her sweet, innocent nature and because of the thoughtless, if not cruel, way in which her parents treat her."
" "
"Our sympathy reaches its height in Act IV. Bullied by her parents, deserted in her hour of need by the Nurse, totally alone, Juliet prepares to take the rather dubious potion given her by Friar Lawrence."
8
"We follow her fearful thoughts"
"*What if it be a poison..."
"*Shall I not then be stifled..."
"*O if I wake, shall I not be distraught..."
"Knowing the terror that she feels, we can only admire the courage and the deep love she feels for her new husband that prompt her to swallow the drug anyway."
" "
"In fact, as with Romeo, it is the nobility of her love that makes Juliet a great character."
"Not as impulsive as Romeo, she nevertheless loves just as strongly, and has no hesitation in taking her final drastic action in the last scene of the play."
6
"It is this final scene that confirms for the audience the courage and determination of Juliet. The moment she realises that Romeo is dead, she knows what she must do."
"She refuses the chance of escape offered her by Friar Lawrence, and her own bravery stands out more in contrast to his cowardly departure."
" "
"Discovering that Romeo has left none of the poison, she quickly finds an alternative in Romeo's dagger, seeming to rejoice in the chance to be eternally united with her husband in death."
"*........O happy dagger!"
"*This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die."
