Juliet

Question 1

How old is Juliet at the start of the play?

Answer 1

Juliet is thirteen — she “hath not seen the change of fourteen years”.

Question 2

True or False? Juliet wants to get married before she meets Romeo.

Answer 2

False. In Act 1, Scene 3 Juliet says that marriage “is an honour” she doesn’t “dream” of.

Question 3

Give an example of some imagery that suggests Juliet is beautiful.

Answer 3

Romeo says that the “brightness” of Juliet’s “cheek would shame those starts”. He suggests she is so radiant that she is more beautiful than the stars.

Question 4

Is Juliet willing to obey her parents’ wishes at the start of the play? Give examples from the play in your answer.

Answer 4

Juliet is willing to consider her parents’ wishes at the start of the play, although she doesn’t immediately agree to them. She agrees to “look to like” Paris when her mother suggests that she marries him, even though she has already said she doesn’t want to get married. However, she doesn’t agree to marry him straightaway, which suggests she isn’t completely obedient to her parents’ desires.

Question 5

Do you think Juliet is an immature character? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 5

• In some ways, Juliet is an
  immature character. She
  gets drawn into a secret
  marriage and fakes her
  own death — these aren’t
  mature things to do.
• Juliet does sometimes act maturely in the play. For example, in Act 2, Scene 2, she shows a mature attitude when she asks Romeo to be straightforward in declaring his love, telling him, “swear not by the moon, th’inconstant moon”.

Question 6

Give an example of a time when Juliet is afraid.

Answer 6

In Act 4, Scene 3, before she takes the potion, she describes feeling “a faint cold fear”.

Question 7

In Act 3, what sin does Juliet worry she will commit?

Answer 7

Juliet worries that she’ll commit the sin of bigamy (being married to two people at once)

Question 8

What adjectives does Montague use to describe Juliet after her death?
A. true and faithful
B. vain and selfish
C. brave and lonely

Answer 8

A. Montague describes Juliet as “true and faithful”.

Question 9

Does Juliet feel ashamed when Romeo overhears her confessing her love for him?
Explain your answer.

Answer 9

Juliet does feel ashamed — she tells Romeo she has a “maiden blush” on her “cheek” because she realises that Romeo overheard what she was saying, and her words would have been considered improper at the time. However, even though she’s ashamed, she says she will forget about “compliment” (good manners) and declare her love again. This suggests her feelings of shame aren’t as strong as her desire to know how Romeo feels.

Question 10

Do you think Juliet is a strong-willed character?
Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 10

• Juliet is a strong-willed
  character. Shortly after
  meeting Romeo, she tells
  him that if his “purpose”
  is “marriage”, he must
  contact her the next day.
  Her ability to control the
  course of their
  relationship shows her
  strong will.
• Juliet also makes plans with the Friar to join Romeo when he is banished, and she stands up to her parents and the Nurse, who want her to marry Paris. She decides her own future instead of following her father’s plans, which shows she’s strong-willed.