Shakespeare creates a tense atmosphere when Juliet is told about her arranged marriage to Paris. “I will not marry yet and when I do, I swear it shall be Romeo whom you know I hate, rather than Paris.” This suggests that Juliet doesn’t want to marry Paris because of Romeo. This is an example of dramatic irony and ambiguity as to her mother this means that Juliet would rather marry her worst enemy than Paris whereas to the audience this means that she doesn’t want to marry Paris because she is married to Romeo. This could make the audience sympathise for Juliet as she cannot share the news of her marriage with her parents as she will be punished, and also because she is having to disobey her fathers rules. Juliet swears by “Saint Peter’s church and Peter too,” this suggests that Juliet doesn’t want to marry Paris not only for Romeo but for the church. Juliet’s mother thinks she is using a strong oath but the audience know that if she were to marry again she would be involved in a bigamous marriage. Shakespeare is emphasising the strength of love as Juliet is rebelling against the arranged marriage which women in the 16th century were expected to follow. This portrays Juliet as strong and courageous as she is standing up for what she wants. This creates a tense atmosphere. Juliet is loyal compared to Romeo who is portrayed as weak and cowardly when he leaves her.
Shakespeare shows the power of a father in the 16th century through Lord Capulet. “or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither” this is Lord Capulet threatening her that he will force her to marry Paris. He uses an extended metaphor, comparing Juliet’s tears with a ship in a storm, and forceful language to emphasise how shocked he is with her for rebelling against him. Lord Capulet changes moods through the scene. He starts off feeling sympathy for Juliet as he thinks she is crying about the death of her cousin, then he progresses into feeling confused which then turns into anger. Nearly all daughters in the 16th century would agree with the marriage and never rebel against their fathers. A 16th century audience would see Juliet as a very loyal lover to Romeo as she breaks her loyalty for her father however a contemporary audience will not see the strength of her love because arranged marriages aren’t as common therefore people are unaware of the importance of them. The quote also shows that Lord Capulet treats Juliet like a possession; he wants her to marry Paris so he will receive a dowry which will expand his family wealth. It proves the lovers can never be together peacefully. Lord Capulet also shows his power by mimicking Juliet’s objections “I cannot love I am too young” however the audience know that she can and does love and isn’t too young to marry. This could make Juliet feel guilty for disobeying her father and it could also make her realise how much she has given up for Romeo. Juliet could also feel vulnerable as she is still in her bedclothes after waking up with Romeo. This makes the audience sympathise for Juliet as she is not close to her parents and her father is very threatening and forceful towards her. It also makes the audience feel anger towards Lord Capulet as he is disrespecting his daughter and stopping Romeo and Juliet from being together. This is powerful for the dramatic genre as this is a tragedy that is not Romeo or Juliet’s fault.
Juliet is betrayed by the nurse “I think that you are happier in this second match, for it excels your first, or if it does not your first is dead.” The nurse is betraying Juliet as she has changed her mind about Romeo and is saying bad things about him. The word excel makes the second match seem better than the first as they are better suited which could be used to persuade Juliet to marry Paris. Shakespeare uses a simile by comparing Romeo being banished with death. Juliet could feel isolated as the nurse was the only person she trusted as the nurse was more maternal to Juliet than her mother. This makes the audience sympathise for Juliet as she has no one to trust or confide in. Juliet then pretends to agree with the nurse. “Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much.” This suggests that Juliet may be thinking she has done the wrong thing in marrying Romeo and she may decide to marry Paris. However the nurse could tell Lord Capulet that Juliet is married to Romeo therefore Juliet may feel threatened and so will fulfil her father’s wishes. This makes the audience sympathise for Juliet as she has lost trust in the nurse and may be lonely, she may also feel that she has to give in to the arranged marriage due to the nurse’s betrayal. The nurse could have betrayed against Juliet to protect her job or to protect Juliet from her father’s anger. The nurse could have also betrayed against Juliet as she had changed her mind about Romeo and was convinced that Juliet was making the wrong decision. The audience could feel disappointed in the nurse as she has let Juliet down.
Juliet is talking about the nurses betrayal. “I’ll to the Friar to know his remedy, if all else fail, myself have power to die.” The word remedy could mean to resolve something however it could also mean to take advice from someone. This suggests that instead of confiding in nurse she will take advice from Friar Lawrence, and she mentions suicide which could foreshadow an upcoming tragedy. This suggests that Juliet is very lonely and is longing for someone to talk to, it also suggests that Juliet would rather die than be separated from Romeo. Romeo said this at the start of the scene however Juliet is a stronger, more loyal character. This makes the audience feel anxious as it gives a sense that something bad is going to happen to Juliet. It emphasises the power of love. A 16th century audience may feel that Juliet has made a mistake in choosing to marry Romeo. The mention of suicide which has been suggested throughout the play gives a sense of an approaching tragedy it suggests that Romeo and Juliet’s fate is to be apart. Shakespeare uses the soliloquy at the end of the scene to express Juliet’s feelings and to give the audience an idea of events to come.
From the start of the play the fate of Romeo and Juliet is pre-determined, they are ‘star-cross’d’ lovers; there relationship is flawed through no fault of their own, this is a romantic tragedy. By the end of the scene Shakespeare makes us think that Juliet is a strong, courageous and determined character as she stands up for what she wants and doesn’t back down. The changing moods shown throughout the scene makes us sympathise for Juliet as feelings of love, sadness and anger are shown throughout the scene, she has lost everyone close to her including Romeo and has no one to comfort her. The repeated suggestions of suicide throughout the scene could foreshadow a later tragedy. This makes us feel anxiety as well as sympathy towards Juliet.
