Characters
The characters that are feature in Act 3 Scene 5 are - the two star crossed lovers; Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet (Juliet’s Mother), Lord Capulet (Juliet’s Father) and the nurse.
During the course of the play you will see the transformations occurring amongst the characters, and their relationships with one another. Throughout the previous scene the characters acted very compassionate with one and other. However, during this scene you would see how the characters all change dramatically, when you see the bitter side of lord Capulet coming out, the reluctant side of Juliet, the and the betrayal side of the nurse.
Romeo
Firstly, I would describe Romeo as having multiples of identities. This is because he is a person that cares for his loved ones as he cares for Juliet. However, his identity changes when it comes to the rest of the Capulet family. This is because Montague’s and Capulet’s are sworn enemies; he tries to defeat them as he did to Tybalt (Juliet Cousin). In the previous scenes he has shown strong affections towards Juliet as he expresses how much he adores her by saying “And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate, Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love.” (Line 76-78, Act 2 Scene 2) This means that Romeo wants Juliet’s love, if she can’t love him. Then he would rather die than have to live without her love. However, during Act 3 Scene 5 Romeo’s mind changes, after he killed Tybalt, the rest of the Capulet’s family wants to take revenge on him. When the morning came on that particular day, Romeo had to leave for Mantua. Juliet blatantly tried to stop him from going, but he just didn’t listen and he tells her that he has to go before he will be killed as he says “Let me be ta’en. Let me be put to death. So thou wilt have it so. I have more care to stay than will to go. Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so. - How is’t, my soul?” (Line 17-25, Act 3 Scene 5). Romeo doubts Juliet by saying; Is this how its meant to be, questioning Juliet, do u want me to get caught and to be dead, is this what you want? How do you call yourself my love? Compare the love from the start when they first met each other and the love now. From the beginning, Romeo expresses how much he loves her, and he would rather dies than stay alive without her love. On the other hand, during Act 3 Scene 5, he managed to tell her that he would leave, not knowing that he would never see her again.
The love starts deteriorates at this point of the scene till the end of the play. Besides that the character of Romeo does not fit into the society of that time period. This is because during that time period, many men would stay by the wives and not leave them.
I think this character has not changed because throughout the play Romeo expresses how much he loves Juliet, even though the love is demolished it still shows that Romeo left Juliet for the right reasons because if he’d stay then they would get caught and something would probably happen to Romeo.
Juliet
My personal views of Juliet are that she is loyal to the people that she loves and cares about. You can see this because she went against her parent’s decisions of the marriage as she quoted “tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet.” (Line 120, Act 3 Scene 5) This quote is to let her parents know that she’s not ready to marry yet. “Not proud you have, but thankful that you have”. This quote shows that she is grateful that her father has set up a marriage for her, but she cannot accept the proposal because she has already married Romeo. Her hearts belongs to Romeo, not Paris. This shows dramatic irony because the Shakespearean audience would already know that Juliet is married to Romeo. She is a Capulet and she’s in love with a Montage; Romeo, despite the bitter fact that the two families are both opposites opponents. Even after Romeo killed her cousin; Tybalt, she’s still committed to Romeo. For Juliet to love Romeo after all these problems is a huge step for her. She’s very genuine with her relationship with Romeo. But, whatever Juliet tries to say to persuade Romeo from staying he still wanted to go because he’s a selfish person all he cares about is saving his life, he could of at least stay and take the consequences. This illustrates how much love she puts into Romeo, but yet he still doesn’t present more of his love to her by staying. Her personality soon starts to transform from an innocent, obedient girl to a confrontational, feisty women as she turns more mature. Her transitions activates as she processes her inner strengths to have battle with Lord Capulet over her not marrying as Paris. “Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!” (Line 163, Act 3 Scene 5) This is an example of feuding as it shows that Lord Capulet doesn’t want to hear anything Juliet says as he is very irritated with her. It also does not fit into the society of that time period. This is because during the Elizabethan era a child would never argue back to their parents, and it would be seen as very wrong. Also another thing is that a child would normally respect their parents’ wishes, whereas in this play Juliet disagrees with her marriage with Paris.
I think this character has changed because at the start of the play, Juliet didn’t seem to talk much, however as the play continue she began to build her confidence. The only reason how she built this confidence that I has been remembered is because of Romeo. She started to express her feelings to him and also she began to think “just because I’m a Capulet, it doesn’t stop me from loving”. This is how she got the confidence to quarrel against lord Capulet.
Lady Capulet
In my opinion I would portray Lady Capulet as a mother that wants the best for her child. The moment she enters the room seeing Juliet crying, she comforts her. Lady Capulet believes that Juliet is crying over Tybalt’s death as she tries to relieve Juliet by saying “Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death?” (Line 69, Act 3 Scene 5) This means that her mother thinks that Juliet is upset about Tybalt’s deaths, but really she’s grieving about Romeo leaving. This shows that Lady Capulet is easily deceived, as she would never expect her daughter to do that.
On the other hand, as soon as Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she has good news for Juliet, believing it was a favor her parents decided. Juliet didn’t react what Lady Capulet expected her to. After hearing what she heard, Lady Capulet is traumatized with Juliet’s response and became very furious that she told Lord Capulet her daughter’s reply with their plans. Also mentioning that she wishes Juliet was dead, by angrily stating “I would the fool were married to her grave!” (Line 140, Act 3 Scene 5) This shows that Lady Capulet is really fuming; maybe not intentionally, but she wishes her own daughter were dead. After Juliet betraying her mother, Lady Capulet no longer have nothing to do with her whilst she leaves Lord Capulet have a never seen before conflict with her. However, at one point Lady Capulet noticed Lord Capulet was getting a bit to feisty as she try to calm him down by saying “You are too hot” (Line 176, Act 3 Scene 5) This shows that Lady Capulet has bit of sympathy for Juliet and tries to calm down Lord Capulet by saying “you’re getting too angry”. Although Lady Capulet felt a bit of sympathy for Juliet, she’s still exasperated about Juliet’s refusal and when Juliet asks for her mother considerations, she responded “Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.” (Line 203-204, Act 3 Scene 5) This explains that Lady Capulet have no more hopes for Juliet, and she can do what she likes because she’s finished with worry about her.
Lady Capulet’s character does fit into this society of that period. This is because her role is a mother, and she’s doing what’s best for her daughter. During the Elizabethan Era this is how the position as a mother should be. For example the description of a mother is strict who expects their child to listens; like any other child should. Also to care for the child, however in Act 3 scene 5, Juliet doesn’t play her role as a daughter; therefore you can’t be able to see Lady Capulet as a mother to care for her.
Thus, I think this character has not changed because Lady Capulet’s position is to be a mother and her perfectly done so. So for Juliet not to listen to her mother it’s her fault, because Lady Capulet played a great role as a mother, as you can see from the beginning she has been comforting Juliet, and even told her good news.
Lord Capulet
I would justify Lord Capulet as a father who loves his child; you can distinguish this because he arranged a marriage for Juliet as he says, “still my care hath been to have her matched” (Line 178, Act 3 Scene 5) he indicates that after all the things he had done for her, his main priority has always been to find her a husband that is right for her, though Juliet chooses to refuse the marriage. Moreover, his main personality is an upper class, quick tempered person, this is revealed as he uses strong aggressive language towards Juliet during the conflict as the bitter side of him approaches, he got so provoked that he said “We scarce though us blest that god lent us but this child, and that we have a curse in having her” (Line 164, Act 3 Scene 5). He angrily said that we never thought that God blessed us with this child; we were cursed to have her. This is such a shocking thing to say in front of your daughter. He uses powerful language to offend Juliet.
Lord Capulet’s character does fit into the society of this period. This is because his position in the play is to be the high status, powerful father. Also a father he wants the best for his child, the same as what Lady Capulet wants. He’s the head of the family therefore his character is powerful.
I think this character hasn’t changed because all through the pervious scene he may have acted sensitive toward Juliet, but he’s still the head of the Capulet’s family therefore you would expect him to have a strong personality to stay in his position as a leader of the family. But his intentions were to never to use his anger towards Juliet, however he had no choice and he’s done so.
The Nurse
Lastly the Nurse, I would describe her as the mother-figure in the house and the one who cares and supports Juliet throughout the majority of the play. In the previous scenes she helps Juliet out by secretly arranging her and Romeo to both meet together. This is why Juliet trusts and relies on her the most. Ultimately, the nurse changes in Act 3 Scene 5, when Juliet tries asking her for help after the row as she says “what sayst thou?” (Line 212, Act 3 Scene 5) this means what do the nurse suggest. She advised her to marry Paris by saying “I think it best you married with county” (Line 218, Act 3 Scene 5).
However the nurse doesn’t know what she’s doing, which now leaves Juliet with no one to turn to for advice.
The nurse character does not fit into the Elizabethan era. This because at the beginning of the she helped Juliet to meet Romeo, the past audiences would see this as wrong also dishonest to Juliet’s parents. But however when she advised Juliet to marry Paris, the audiences would think it’s the right thing to do.
I think this character has changed because at the beginning of the play you would see the as very understandable and advised Juliet, however in this scene after seeing the aggressiveness of Lord Capulet, she’s probably scared to lose her job therefore she began to change her thoughts on Juliet and started to agree with what her parents think.
Language
The type of language used in Act 3 Scene 5 is Shakespearean Language, with a use of poetic style of language at the beginning of the scene as Romeo and Juliet expresses their love.
The style that Shakespeare adopts
The mood that’s shown in Act 3 Scene 5 is an angry type of feel and also sympatric feeling.
Duologues
The first duologue between Romeo and Juliet commence with the two couples in bed after they spent their first night together. As morning embarks, Romeo is awakened with the determination to leave for Mantua. Juliet acknowledges that morning has came, the time for Romeo’s leave, she doesn’t want Romeo to go therefore she intentionally make excuses to stop him from going by saying points like “The light is not daylight” this means it’s not morning yet, but Romeo knows its daylight and he has to go before he will get captured, this an example of dramatic irony. A further thing she says to persuade him to stay is “It is some meteor that the sun exhales to thee this night to torchbearer, and light thee on thy way to Mantua. Therefore stay yet. Thou need’st not to be gone”. (Line 13-15, Act 3 Scene 5) She desperately tried to convince Romeo to stay by saying things she wasn’t sure about herself; Juliet says that there’s some meteor coming towards Mantua where Romeo is heading. Therefore why don’t you stay for a while. Romeo doesn’t listen to Juliet’s justifications, because the main thing that’s on his mind right now is to make sure that he gets to Mantua to save his life. Juliet attempts to prevent this from happening but she failed, thinking she would never see Romeo again she says; “Oh, think’st thou we shall ever meet again?” (Line 50, Act 3 Scene 5) by this she means “do you think we’ll ever meet again?” Romeo reply by saying “I doubt it not, and all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our time to come” (Line 51, Act 3 Scene 5) all these troubles will give us stories to tell each other later in life. Romeo basically saying that he will see Juliet again and in the future after all the troubles are over; they can tell each other stories about their problems in the past. Romeo straightens things up, to stop Juliet worrying about him. During this share of the scene there are no feuding going on, it’s simply a calm discussion about Romeos leave. However there are lots of dramatic irony happening.
In the second duologue between Lady Capulet and Juliet shows a more skillful side of Juliet. As soon as Lady Capulet comes into the room she assumes that Juliet is crying over Tybalt’s death. During this duologue Juliet uses intellectual language to trick her mother. For instance she quoted; “Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss.” This means that her mother thinks that she is upset about the death of Tybalt, but really that she misses Romeo. It is also an example of dramatic irony, as the audience would have known who Juliet was talking about; Romeo. Lady Capulet is caught under Juliet’s spell and then comforts her by saying bad things about Romeo, the quote “Shall give him such an unaccustomed dram that he shall soon keep Tybalt company” (Line 90, Act 3 Scene 5) this quotes explains that Romeo would soon be dead to join with Tybalt. Lady Capulet uses dramatic irony in her speech because us audiences knows that Romeo would soon eventually join Tybalt’s death some day. Juliet uses her clever use of words to control her mother, thinking that she’s weeping over Tybalt’s death as she goes along by saying “Indeed, I never shall be satisfied with Romeo, till I behold him dead.” (Line 93, Act 3 Scene 5) she said this, because it was a way for her mother to positively believe that she is crying over Tybalt. She does this to manipulate her mother. This scene shows how Juliet can manipulate her mother easily without her realizing. When Lady Capulet satisfies Juliet with good news about Juliet marrying Paris, she doesn’t take it very well by saying “Now by Saint Peter’s church… he shall not make me there a joyful bride.” Juliet actually means she is already a joyful bride; this is another example of dramatic irony as the audiences know she’s been married to Romeo. This is when the feuding slowly commences, when Lady Capulet went to tell Lord Capulet that Juliet has refused their wishes.
The third duologue between Juliet & Lord Capulet shows how the two characters open up with their aggressive side. Once Lord Capulet enters the room, knowingly knows that Juliet has refused the marriage, the friction is commenced. Lord Capulet showed his hostile side and exasperate towards Juliet, he shouted and pleaded to let her know that she’s has to marry Paris or there would be consequences, he does this by warning her “To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.“ (Line 154, Act 3 Scene 5). By this he means if you don’t marry Paris then he would drag her there. Also, mentioning that she would be kicked out of the house. Juliet plucked up the courage to argue back by saying “Not proud you have” (Line 146, Act 3 Scene 5) this mean that Juliet is not proud that her parents have found her Paris to be her husband. In this part of the scene Lord Capulet doesn’t know that Juliet has gotten married to Romeo and he’s imposing her something that she’s already done, this is an example of dramatic irony. At one point Lord Capulet said “my fingers itch” (Line 164, Act 3 Scene 5) meaning he wants to hit Juliet. Lord Capulet was trying to use physical abuse towards Juliet; however this was prevented by the Nurse and Lady Capulet. This shows that there are a lot of aggressive feuds occurring, however, there is less dramatic irony seen because Juliet is the weak one whereas Lord Capulet is more dominant.
The last duologue between the Nurse and Juliet Shows how the nurse has betrayed Juliet by advising her to marry Paris “I think you are happy in this second match” (Line 223, Act 3 Scene 5) The nurse is saying that she thinks that Juliet should be happy with Paris as he’s going to be her second husband. Also mentioning that Romeo has gone “Romeo is banished” (Line 214, Act 3 Scene 5) so you might as well marry Paris. Juliet is disturbed on how the nurse advises her; she would expect much more from the nurse. Juliet is surprised, and responded by saying “Speakest thou from thy heart?” (Line 227, Act 3 Scene 5) this means r u speaking from you heart? She thought the one she could trust, has now gone against her wishes. Therefore she pretends that she’s going along with the advice by saying “Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much, having displeased my father, to Lawrence’s cell to make confession.” (Line 231-234, Act 3 Scene 5) this is an example of dramatic irony as she make out that she’s been marvellously been comfort, but really she thinks the opposites and quickly realize that she would go the Friar to ask for help.
By not helping Juliet would soon lead to an unexpected death tragedy.
The themes are important because it’s been used throughout the scenes there have been a lot of dramatic irony, feuding and fall outs going on.
Reaction of Audience/Social and Historical Context
Romeo and Juliet is set in the Elizabethan Era.
The past audience’s reaction would be outraged on how the characters acted. For example, Romeo and Juliet spending their first sexual night together at a young age, this would have been seen as highly unacceptable. During the Elizabethan period, for children to get married was seen as something they would have expected. You can distinguish this because Juliet’s parent’s desires her to get married. However, Juliet chooses not to accept the married. For a child not to accept a marriage from their parents would be known as disrespectful, by this audience’s reaction would be shocked and would apply Juliet as discourteous daughter. Apart from that, lying was also seen as a sinful thing to do. In the scene, Juliet lies to her mother by thinking that she’s is grieving over Tybalt’s death. Another disgraceful thing that she does is that she went against her parents back and married Romeo and still hasn’t told them. At this point of the scene audiences will know that Juliet has gone way over the top, with all the bad things she has been doing. Another example that is given is that, Juliet having a conflict with Lord Capulet. Children in those times especially for daughters wouldn’t have the intentions to fight back to their parent’s wishes. Though in this scene Juliet manages to do that by fighting for her rights not only that but fighting for her love, like she has been doing throughout the scene. Compared how Juliet fought back towards Lord Capulet in the Elizabethan era, was a very a courageous thing to do, especially at that young.
The past audiences are probably going to agree with the nurse’s advice because it was perceived as the right thing to do as the play was set in the Shakespearean times then perhaps what every child should do, go along with their parents wishes.
A present audience would react to Romeo and Juliet sexual night together, as also seen as shocking because they are too young to be having sex. But they would see Romeo and Juliet as an acceptable couple, because they would think just because both of the families are classified as two opposites it doesn’t stop them from loving each other. This would also be seen as something heroic thing to do as they are fighting for what they want and who they love; this is very inspiring to the audiences. Besides that lying is still a bad thing to do, but if you’re lying for the right reasons then it would be seen as the right thing to do. In comparison to the play Juliet lies to her mother, but she’s only lying because she’s upset about Romeo’s leave. Nevertheless, Nowadays audiences would think that parents arranging marriages for their daughter is wrong. For Lord Capulet to force Juliet to marry is absolutely unacceptable, particularly at this young age. Furthermore, Juliet argument between Lord Capulet is seen more common these days between parents and teenagers. The present audiences is probably going to be shocked with the nurse because she has assisted Juliet for all her life and now she’s just going to give up on her. Therefore it leaves Juliet with no one to turn to for advice.
Shakespeare uses a few devices to get the audience involved and to create reaction, he uses foreshadow and dramatic irony.
How much power does the character of Juliet have in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
“If all else fail, myself have power to die”
During act 3 scene 5 Juliet gains the power to fought back to her parents
My first response to this question is that Juliet does have power in the play because she makes Romeo change his mind on not going to stay with her, she had the power to not marry Paris . But in the play Juliet doesn’t have power , she didn’t have the power to speak
Gui Gui ☆ says:
speak back at her father when he wanted her to marry Paris . But she has got power to kill herself , but it seems that she just wants to run away from the fact that she don’t have power any more .