juliet l death

Question 1

overview

Answer 1

Shakespeare uses the character of Juliet as a vehicle to bring attention to the dangers of love, especially when pursued with such haste. Juliet is initially presented as a rational and measured persona however incrementally changes into a more besotted and impulsive character due to the transformative effects of love which ultimately leads to the consequences of taking her own life.

Question 2

quote 1

Answer 2

‘is an honour that I dream not of’
· Juliet is shown to be quite masterful with her vocabulary.

· Speaks in a way that does not disagree with her parents.

· At the same time not disagreeing with her own opinion that she doesn’t want to get married.

At this point in the play, she is portrayed as a rational yet masterful persona however this also serves as a reminder to show how her opinions change due to the deterioration of mind into a reckless manner.

Question 3

quote 2

Answer 3

“O swear not by the moon, th’inconstant moon” P38

· Interrupting Romeo, does not want false promises and instead prefers his guaranteed love :

· “In’constant” moon is always changing so she implies that maybe his love might aswell.

Question 4

quote 3

Answer 4

“It is too rash, too unadvis’d, too sudden” - p38

· Shows Juliet’s pragmatism as she is able to recognise that the relationship is moving quickly therefore may not be sincere

· She originally suggests that they allow the relationship to blossom at its own pace, however the audience know that this ends up not being the case

· Foreshadows how their demise will be things happening too quickly and not taking enough time

Question 5

quote 4

Answer 5

“Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me what says my love?” - p54

· Uses flattery and loving terms towards the nurse in order to extract information quickly, this shows her level of insight as she knows her way around getting what she wants

· Refers to Romeo as her love despite him not being present, this proves that her love for him is genuine and not just for show

Question 6

quote 5

Answer 6

‘Where is my Romeo?’

• The fact that she very quickly repeats her question about Romeo’s wellbeing emphasises her longing to be reunited with him.
• The use of the possessive pronoun ‘my’ to refer to Romeo shows how she claims Romeo as her own, highlighting her deep love for him.

Question 7

quote 6

Answer 7

‘I will kiss thy lips…To make me die with a restorative’.

• Juliet intends to kiss Romeo and use the remaining poison on his lips to end her life as well.
• The scene is very poignant (emotionally charged) —> Juliet wakes up only to find her husband dead and plans to join him in death after a final kiss.
• Links back to the balcony scene when Romeo stated ‘Thus from my lips. By thine, my sin is purge’d’.
• Cyclical structure as their relationship started with a kiss and ended with one as well.
• Demonstrates how besotted she is to Romeo as she would rather die than not be with him.

Question 8

quote 7

Answer 8

Juliet ‘Yeah noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger

Believes death is the only resolution

· Ready to die if it means she can be with Romeo – Death is constantly disregarded and belittled

· ‘Happy dagger’ She is welcoming death eagerly and with joy