Examine and explore the development of Juliet throughout the play.

Examine and explore the development of Juliet throughout the play

This essay is about Juliet's character. In the prologue we are informed that. 'A pair of star crossed lovers take their life,' [prologue, line 6]. This is to make us feel sympathy towards Romeo and Juliet. We also have to remember Juliet is only 13 at the start of the play and at first she seems merely an obedient, sheltered, naive child.

Act 1 scene 5 is the first encounter between the lovers. In this scene Juliet is clever, just doing enough to keep Romeo interested,

'Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,' [act 1 scene 5 line 96].

She is obviously infatuated with Romeo and behaves coquettishly towards him,

'For saints have hands that pilgrims' hand do touch,' [act 1 scene 5 line 98].

Juliet’s first meeting with Romeo propels her into the character she will become.

Act 2 scene 2 is the famous balcony scene of the lovers. In this scene Juliet appears immature although she is in a difficult situation.

'O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?' [act 2 scene 2 line 33]. Juliet says this aloud, forgetting anyone can hear her. This shows her attachment to Romeo but she does not tell her family because she knows they would disapprove even though in act 1 scene 5 Capulet says, 'Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth.'

Though she does behave maturely on occasion, Juliet shows how forward she is in this scene as well by asking Romeo whether he loves her, and also proposing to him. This was a very odd thing for a woman to do in Elizabethan times.

Act 1 scene 3 is the first time we see Juliet and it is also her first scene with the Nurse. In this scene Juliet’s developing maturity is shown.

'It is an honour that I dream not of,' [act 1 scene 3 line 67] is Juliet’s reply to her mother's difficult question of marriage. This ...

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Act 1 scene 3 is the first time we see Juliet and it is also her first scene with the Nurse. In this scene Juliet’s developing maturity is shown.

'It is an honour that I dream not of,' [act 1 scene 3 line 67] is Juliet’s reply to her mother's difficult question of marriage. This is resourceful because she says she is not ready, but at the same time uses honour to compliment her mother, thus keeping her on Juliet's side. As with the Nurse Juliet is very patient with her. This scene also really shows how close Juliet is to the Nurse, 'Thou was the prettiest babe that ever I nursed,' [act 1 scene 3 line 61], which is a compliment Nurse gives to Juliet. Juliet is loving towards the Nurse and takes her advice seriously, that is why Lady Capulet calls her back, to talk about marriage.

Act 2 scene 5 is Juliet's main scene with the Nurse. In this scene Juliet is immature and petulant. You can see this when she is waiting for Romeo's reply about marriage. 'In half an hour she promised to return,' [act 2 scene 5 line 2],' O she is lame,' [act 2 scene 5 line 4]. It also shows impatience and irritability.

When the Nurse does finally arrive Juliet is very impatient in contrast to her being patient with the Nurse in act 1 scene 3. Juliet dose not pay attention to the Nurse's condition. The Nurse says, 'I am aweary, give me leave awhile,' [act 2 scene 5 line 25], but Juliet replies, 'Nay come, I pray thee speak,' [act 2 scene 5 line 28], showing more care in what Romeo has said then what the Nurse has done for her to whom she is supposed to be close to.

When the Nurse eventually does tell Juliet the news, Juliet now says something complimentary to her, 'Honest Nurse, farewell,' as this is said after the good news is given I feel this shows Juliet to be spoiled and she is only pleasant when she gets her own way.

In act 3 scene 2 Juliet shows the strength and her continuing obsession with Romeo, 'Come night, come Romeo, come day in night,' [act 3 scene 2 line 17] and this highlights Juliet's immaturity in wanting something she can't have. In this scene overall, though Juliet behaves maturely. The Nurse is wailing and mourning Tybalt's death, whilst also saying badly of Romeo's name,' `Will you speak well of him that killed your cousin?' [act 3 scene 2 Line 96]. Juliet is the opposite staying quite calm and thinking logically saying, 'That villain cousin would have killed my husband,' meaning one of them had to die so better it be Tybalt than Romeo.

Act 3 scene 5 is Juliet's last scene with the Nurse. In this scene their relationship mainly breaks down due to a difference of opinion. The Nurse thinks Juliet should marry Paris,

'I think it best if you marry with the county,' [act 3 scene 5 line 217].

Juliet has given the Nurse a last chance to make peace with her but the Nurse's response does not please Juliet. Juliet is mature here though, because instead of telling the Nurse this she conceals her feelings so as to not hurt the Nurse. When the Nurse leaves she reveals her true feelings to the Nurse's response, 'Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend! Is it more sin to wish me thus foresworn,' [act 3 scene 5 line 235 & 236], showing Juliet's true feelings about the Nurse's comment.

Act 5 scene 3 is the final scene. Juliet is bold in her decision. She has just awoken to the sight of Romeo's dead body and the Friar has left her. She now has a choice to go away where the Friar sends her, or to die with Romeo. She decides to kill herself, ‘O happy dagger. This is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die,' [act 5 scene 3 lines 169 & 170].

I feel this was a necessary decision. For Juliet to commit suicide meant she was condemned to hell. She was totally desperate but chose Romeo above salvation. Her love was so deep. This brave decision can only emphasise her bravery.

Juliet loved Romeo enough to go against God.

In conclusion I feel Juliet is immature at the start, but develops as the play goes on. Throughout she uses her brain to get out of tough situations, as in act 1 scene 3 when asked about marriage. Then towards the end she becomes more independent and shows maturity and inner strength.