He wrote thirty-eight plays and 154 sonnets, as well as around five poems.
He is often considered to be England’s national poet and is sometimes referred to as the ‘Bard of Avon’ (simply ‘The Bard’) or the ‘Swan of Avon’.
Shakespeare is believed to have produced most of his work between 1586 and 1616.
Shakespeare’s works have been translated into every major living language, and his plays are continually performed all around the world. In addition, many quotations from his plays have passed into everyday usage in English and other languages. Over the years, many people have speculated about Shakespeare’s life, raising questions about his sexuality, religious affiliation, and the authorship of his works.
At the start of the play called ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Juliet is very obedient and doesn’t disobey her mother – Lady Capulet – or any of her family. When Lady Capulet suggests marriage, she thinks it is a good idea because it’s her mother’s idea.
Lord Capulet is calm, thoughtful, and sensitive and cares about his daughter’s wishes and feelings. His calmness is shown when Romeo arrives at the Capulet’s party and Tybalt says that he will kick him out. Lord Capulet says that he is alright and lets him stay against Tybalt’s wishes, but Tybalt vows to get revenge.
Juliet has a very good relationship with the Nurse as she breast feed Juliet when she was a baby. They say that Breast feeding your daughter will bring the Mother and Daughter together.
In Act 2 scene 5, the Nurse goes to Juliet's room. She warns the pair that Lady Capulet coming. This shows that the Nurse cares for Juliet and Romeo. If she didn't then we would see that Lady Capulet finding them together in the room. "Your lady mother is coming to your chamber". Juliet's mother enters the room. When the Lord Capulet enters towards the end of the scene, an argument breaks out. Juliet's father swears at the Nurse, but the Nurse stands up for herself, whereas Juliet cries in the corner, hiding behind the Nurse. Juliet wants comfort from the Nurse. The Nurse, however, has no comfort to offer Juliet.
When Lady Capulet gets to spend some time with her daughter, she panics and tells the Nurse to take over.
Juliet’s character changes from being obedient to lying to Nurse. “A rhyme I learned”. She won’t tell her she loves Romeo. She is quick witted.
When Romeo finds out that Juliet is a Capulet, he is upset. He says, “My life is my foes debt”. He is determined to look past the fact that she is a Capulet as he falls in love with Juliet. Juliet has the same problem. “My only love sprung from my only hate”. She is devastated when she finds out that Romeo is a Montague, but she can’t help falling in love.
Juliet starts to get flirtatious with Romeo as she says, “you kiss by th’ book”. Their language is loving and over the top. “Lips that they must use in payer”. “I’ll no longer be a Capulet” says Juliet. This shows how far she will go to be with Romeo.
Her language is practical, mature and sensible. It is as if Juliet is controlling Romeo.
Romeo is just as bad with being over the top, romantic and in love; albeit he is concerned he will get hurt.
Juliet says, “if thou bent of love be honourable, thy propose marriage”. She suggests marriage which is highly untypical of an Elizabethan woman and it would have been their Father suggesting marriage.
In Act 2 Scene 5, Juliet gets impatient waiting for news on Romeo. At this stage in the play, Juliet has become cunning and she tries to persuade the Nurse by flattering her. “Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse.” She is manipulating her.
Juliet is waiting for Romeo so they can consummate the marriage. She is excited about Romeo coming. She is sexual and passionate. “Love-performing night.”
Juliet thinks that Romeo is dead in this scene, but it is actually Tybalt who has been killed. Juliet is distraught. “What devil art thou dost torment me thust.”
The Nurse has to explain that it is Tybalt that is dead, and not Romeo, but Juliet gets confused furthermore and thinks that they are both dead. “My dearest cousin and my dearest Lord.” That shows that she would be more bothered about Romeo than her family.
Nurse is critical of Romeo. Juliet defends him by saying, “Blistered be thy tongue.”
Eventually, Romeo and Juliet consummate the marriage.
Lady Capulet comes to Juliet to see if she is ok about Tybalt. Juliet is deceitful and she plays with her words. “I never shall be satisfied with Romeo, till I behold him – dead – is my poor heart so for a kins man vexed.”
At the end of the scene, the audience sees Juliet’s desperation when she uses Religion as an excuse to get out of the house. Society was very religious. For Juliet to use religion was sinful. It shows despair.
At the start of Act 4, Scene 1, Juliet is in an uncomfortable situation when Paris is at the church. “That may be, must be, love on.”
Juliet will never love Paris as much as Romeo as Paris doesn’t treat Juliet with respect, but sees her as a possession. “Thy face is mine.”
“I will confess to you that I love him.” Juliet is almost telling Paris that she loves someone else. It is a double meaning as she is telling it to God aswell.
Juliet goes over the top by saying that she would rather kill herself than marry Paris. “O bid me leap, rather than me marry Paris”.