How does Shakespeare show Juliet's changing state of mind and feelings through language and drama?

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How does Shakespeare show Juliet’s changing state of mind and feelings through language and drama?

My first impressions of Juliet were that she was a young, innocent girl who respected her parents and nurse and would do anything they asked of her. When Juliet’s mother first suggests marrying Paris, Juliet says, “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move”. This shows total obedience towards her mother and supports my first impressions. However, although she is very respectful of her mother, she seems to be much closer and affectionate towards her nurse. I first acknowledged this in act 1 scene 3 when Juliet’s mother asks the nurse to leave. She then immediately calls the nurse back as she realizes that the nurse knows her daughter better than she does.

Juliet was supposed to meet Paris at a Capulet party arranged by her parents, but it is at this party that Juliet first meets Romeo, a Montague. There is an instant connection between Romeo and Juliet. This scene was written as a sonnet, which was traditionally used for love poems and therefore makes the scene more significant. Romeo and Juliet constantly use religious imagery in this scene which makes there love seem more pure. At this point they do not realize that one is a Capulet and one is a Montague, two families on the opposite of an ancient grudge.

When Juliet first finds out that Romeo is a Montague she is devastated. “My only love, sprung from my only hate”. She cannot believe that the only person she has ever fallen in love with, she is forbidden to be with. Romeos reaction to the bad news is almost identical. “My life is my foes debt”. This is a bond in the way they feel towards each other.

The next key scene in the play is the famous balcony scene. A key part in this scene is when Juliet says, “Romeo Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo. Deny thy father and refuse thy name, or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and i’ll no longer be a Capulet”. She is basically asking herself why Romeo is a Montague, and says that as long as she loves him, she will not be a Capulet. Romeo is very romantic in this scene and at this point does not consider the problems that may arise in their love for each other. “With loves light wings, did I o’erperch these walls; for stony limits cannot hold love out. This is the complete opposite to Juliet who immediately thinks of the dangers of him being there. “If they do see thee, they will murder thee”. However, Juliet does also express her love for Romeo. “Thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry”. Although Juliet is more practical than Romeo, she still loves him very much and is willing to give up a lot for him, but in a more cautious way.

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Act 1 Scene 5 is the first encounter between the lovers. In this scene I think Juliet is clever just doing enough to keep Romeo interested, 'Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,' [line 99 act 1 scene 5]. She is obviously infatuated with Romeo and behaves coquettishly towards him, 'for saints have hands that pilgrims' hand do touch,' [line 101 act 1 scene 5]. Romeo and Juliet use religious imagery towards one another because in Elizabethan times religion was their most important thing, 'This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,' [line 96 act 1 ...

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