An Exploration of how Shakespeare shows the Development of Juliet, with specific reference to Act 1, Scene 1, Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 4, scene 3.

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An Exploration of how Shakespeare shows the Development of Juliet, with specific reference to Act 1, Scene 1, Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 4, scene 3.

One of the most interesting things about this character is the way Shakespeare shows her development from a young, rather childlike girl to a mature and independent woman who takes full control of her life. Romeo and Juliet is a love story and it is the power of love that propels this change in Juliet.

The first time you see Juliet is when her mother, Lady Capulet, wants to talk to her. This is the first time you see the relationship between mother and daughter is different to a normal mother and daughter relationship today. "Nurse, where is my daughter? Call her forth to me". This shows Lady Capulet doesn't want to get Juliet herself. This could be because Lady Capulet and Juliet rarely talk resulting in them feeling uncomfortable around each other. "Madam, I am here, what is your will". This is the response Juliet uses when talking to her mother. Using the word madam instead of mother shows the relationship is formal between mother and daughter. Also using the phrase "what is your will" shows Juliet is expecting her mother to give her a command as she is used to getting told what to do. This shows the relationship between Lady Capulet and her daughter Juliet treat each other like they have just met and as Juliet is the younger she gets bossed around.

When Lady Capulet gets to speak to Juliet the conversation is about Paris and Juliet getting married. "Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love?" Lady Capulet is saying in a polite way, don't waste my time, will you like or even love Paris. "Speak briefly" shows Lady Capulet has better things to do than be around her daughter for too long. Also that she may not want to be around her any longer than she has to be. Juliet responds with "I'll look to like". Juliet suggests here, she will look at Paris and that is it. She also means I may like him but it is unlikely that she will fall in love with him and get married. This is once again shown when Juliet says "but no more deep will I endart mine eye, than your consent gives strength to make it fly" This shows she is dependent on her parents wishes (she uses the word consent). Also Juliet hasn't even thought of marriage so it has caught her by surprise. After Lady Capulet and Juliet have finished their conversation the reader would think to them the play is called Romeo and Juliet not Paris and Juliet, which suggests the marriage between Paris and Juliet won't happen.
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At the beginning of act 1, scene 4 Romeo and his friends Benvolio, Mercutio and some other of Romeo's friends go to the Capulets mansion for a ball. Romeo and his friends all enter the mansion with masks on as they weren't invited and if they were caught there may have been trouble. At the ball is where Romeo and Juliet first set eyes on each other and fall in love. "This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this" These are some of the first few words Romeo said to Juliet and Romeo is suggesting Juliet's hand is ...

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