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Shakespeare
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| Claire Danes, playing Juliet, waits for her Romeo in the 1996 film version of Romeo and Juliet. |
She's young, beautiful, independent, insightful, and in love.
Although it's Juliet's physical appearance that first attracts Romeo, she is more than merely pretty. In her, Shakespeare crafts a heroine who not only chooses to think for herself, but also has the courage to act independently. For modern audiences, it's this combination of beauty and strength of character that makes her so appealing.
The first instance in which Juliet demonstrates independent thinking is when she's asked by her mother about the possibility of an engagement to a suitor named Paris. She responds, "It is an honour that I dream not of" (1.3.66). For the Elizabethan era, this is an odd response. Juliet appears to be dodging the question — her mother's and Paris's. What's her angle?
Has she said "no" in a diplomatic way, or has she actually agreed to the engagement? She says nothing else on the subject, except:
| Juliet | I'll look to like, if looking liking move; But no more deep will I endart mine eye Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. |
| (1.3.98-100) | |
Translation: "I'll take a look at Paris, and I'll try to like him and won't look anywhere that you say I shouldn't."
In this speech, Juliet appears to be a model and dutiful daughter. On the one hand, she tells her mother that she'll do what she's told. But her mother obviously wants her to marry Paris, and Juliet hasn't agreed to do so. She has not actually agreed to anything.
Juliet's attitude (and her parents' leniency in the beginning) is uncharacteristic behavior for the Elizabethan era when daughters were generally not given choices. Not only is Juliet being asked for her opinion, but she seems to feel free to withhold her consent. That's a pretty modern idea.
The intriguing question for the story, then, is not whether she is too young. The important question is, what makes this "good girl" suddenly throw caution to the wind? Her change in attitude is literally a change of heart. Until she meets Romeo, she isn't interested in being married like other girls her age. Then she meets him and can think of nothing else. She doesn't just look; she takes action.
What's a Nice Girl Like You ...
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| The Juliet statue in Verona is a mecca for tourists who come to the city in search of Shakespeare's fictional star-crossed lovers. |
She responds to Romeo's desire to kiss her by saying, "Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake" (1.5.106).
Translation: "Saints don't take the initiative, but they might help grant your prayer." In other words, "I'm not going to kiss you, but I'll kiss you back if you try."
Juliet seems attracted to Romeo's boldness. Perhaps his directness is more appealing than the traditional approach that Paris took in asking her father for permission to marry her.
Since Romeo speaks directly to Juliet, he is able to win her heart through the conversation. The kiss follows the all-important conversation. It's not love at first sight.
This conversation is also important because it demonstrates Juliet's intelligence. She is able to participate in the sophisticated wordplay with Romeo, and she seems less childlike in this exchange.
Sadly, Juliet learns that Romeo is a Montague and therefore her enemy. Her reaction to this knowledge provides another insight into her character.
| Juliet | My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me That I must love a loathed enemy.  |
| (1.5.139-42) | |
Unlike Romeo, who has most recently been infatuated with Rosaline, Juliet professes only one love. She is certain in her declaration. This is a clear departure from her attitude about Paris and her discussion of marriage with her mother.
On the Balcony
How strong is Juliet's love for Romeo? The balcony scene is telling. She separates Romeo from his family by drawing a distinction between the person of Romeo and his name — Montague.In her famous speech, Juliet makes it clear that the person, Romeo, is distinct from his family and that only his name is an enemy. This line of reasoning contradicts the culture of medieval Verona in which Romeo and Juliet is set, and is equally inconsistent with the patriarchal culture of Elizabethan England. Juliet's feelings and her actions clash with the custom of her time.
During this scene, Juliet's language also demonstrates her decision not to let the family feud stand between her and her "only love." Though each vows to love the other, it is Juliet who takes the lead. She tells Romeo that she will marry him, if he asks.
| Juliet | If that thy bent of love be honorable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay And follow thee my lord throughout the world. |
| (2.2.143-48) | |
What a modern woman! She didn't just ask Romeo out for Saturday night; she told him to marry her.
Is she impetuous? Or is she so sure of her own mind and love that she is strong-willed in her commitment to Romeo? Herein lies a key to Juliet's character. Knowing Romeo enables this heroine to make a commitment to him, whereas not knowing Paris stands in the way of Juliet's consenting to marry him.
Wise Up
Though she wants him, Juliet is acutely aware of the risks involved in her romance with Romeo; in fact she seems much more conscious of the danger than he. Her ability to recognize the hazards in the midst of her passion demonstrates she is not just a rash teenager. She is trying to be reasonable and use her head. During the balcony scene she cautions him, and displays rational fear of her kinsman.While Romeo appears caught up in the moment, Juliet has her head on her shoulders. She knows that Romeo's presence in the Capulet orchard is a bad idea.
She displays this same maturity and insight when Romeo is banished to Mantua. Juliet questions whether they shall meet again. Romeo is certain they will and assures her that "all their woes shall serve" (3.5.52) as topics for conversation in their later years. He's optimistic they will grow old together.
Juliet, however, sees things differently. Not only can she not envision their happy future, but she has a premonition of things to come:
| Juliet | Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb. |
| (3.5.55-56) | |
These flashes of insight reveal that Juliet is not allowing her passions to guide her. She understands the direness of the circumstances. She evokes sympathy because she is trying so hard to make it come out right, even though she appears to know the situation is doomed.
Stand by Your Man
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| Sweet Juliet is an English rose that is named for the heroine of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. |
| Nurse | Will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin? |
| Juliet | Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Ah, my poor lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it? |
| (3.2.96-99) | |
Juliet makes clear where her loyalties lie: not with her family, but with her husband.
Can Love Conquer All?
Although Juliet remains loyal to Romeo when he is banished to Mantua, this commitment becomes increasingly difficult for her. When her parents try to force the issue of her marriage to Paris, she can no longer equivocate. She has no way out. Her transgressions are already too great, and she cannot defy her parents. Yet she needs to avoid a second wedding.For a modern audience watching the play, Juliet's decision to fake her death may seem ill-conceived. Within the context of her time, however, she displays great courage. She is not in a position to defy her father's demands, so she takes the only option that seems open to her. She plays dead.
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| In 1968, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey became the first actual teenagers to portray Romeo and Juliet on film. |
This choice illustrates the Juliet's desperation. Because the acts seems irrational and in sharp contrast with the clear-thinking young woman who was able to discern danger, and make informed choices about her family, love, and where her loyalty lay, the audience feels even more sympathy for her. Committed to her marriage and steadfast in her love, Juliet takes her own life when she realizes Romeo is gone. Sadly, this young woman has already lost everything.
Like the rest of her choices, Juliet's decision to end her life is definitive. Once her mind is made up, there is no talking her out of it. Though the Friar tries to influence her, Juliet will not be persuaded. Her death scene is short. With a "happy dagger" (5.3.169) and very little ceremony, Juliet takes her own life.
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Since Juliet's behaviors and attitudes were so inappropriate for the time, she may have seemed rash and foolhardy to the Elizabethan audience. Modern readers and playgoers must decide for themselves whether she is to be pitied for her impetuousness or celebrated for her courage.
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In the first quarto (Q1) published in 1597 by John Danter, Juliet's line is cited as: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." Subsequent versions of the play, including the folio, substitute "word" for "name." For example, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet."
