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Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in Romeo and Juliet - AQA - GCSE English Literature - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 2
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Write about: • how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s f... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in Romeo and Juliet - AQA - GCSE English Literature - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in this speech
Answer
In this speech, Juliet is flooded with conflicting emotions after learning of Tybalt's death at the hands of Romeo. Her initial reactions showcase a blend of despair and loyalty. Juliet's questioning of her own husband signifies her confusion; she asks,
'Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?'
This illustrates her struggle between loyalty to Romeo and her grief over her cousin's death.
Juliet's rhetorical questions reveal her internal turmoil and highlight her sense of betrayal and helplessness:
'What villain, villain, didst thou kill my cousin?'
This question underscores her anguish and shows her feelings of helplessness as she grapples with the consequences of Romeo's actions, ultimately portraying her love as conflicting with societal expectations.
Moreover, her use of juxtaposition like 'beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical' indicates the duality of her love—a combination of deep passion and profound hurt.
Step 2
how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in the play as a whole
Answer
Throughout 'Romeo and Juliet', Shakespeare consistently presents Juliet’s feelings toward Romeo as profound yet tumultuous. Initially enamored and spirited, her love evolves into a fierce loyalty that defies her family's expectations. For instance, her willingness to risk everything for Romeo speaks volumes about her strength and defiance.
As the narrative progresses, Juliet's admiration for Romeo is supplemented by contemplations of fate, loyalty, and identity. Her soliloquies reveal her deep love, marked by conflict, as she balances societal norms and personal desires. The lines,
'Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be'
highlight her understanding of the volatility of their love.
Moreover, by the end of the play, her resolve culminates in tragedy as she chooses death over a life without Romeo, showcasing the intensity of her love and the lengths she would go to maintain it, thus emphasizing the theme of love as both powerful and destructive.