Notes on Juliet in Romeo and Juliet

Introduction

• Focus on quotations chronologically to build a powerful argument regarding Juliet.

Quotations and Analysis

Quotation 1: "It is an honor that I dreamed not of"

• Juliet tells her mother she never dreamed of marriage.
• Key Point: This is a lie; she's concealing her feelings.
• Context: Patriarchal society where her father chooses her husband.
• Historical Note: Juliet's mother had her at 13; Juliet fears a similar fate.

Quotation 2: The Sonnet

• Romeo and Juliet share a sonnet at their first meeting.
• Love vs. Lust: Use of religious language to explore sexual attraction.
• Subversion of Gender Roles: Juliet takes control in their romantic exchange.

Quotation 3: "What's Montague?"

• Juliet ponders Romeo's name and its implications.
• Sexual Attraction vs. Love: Focus on sexual desire rather than pure love.
• Symbolism: The rose represents femininity and hints at gender roles.

Quotation 4: "Hist, hist!"

• Juliet imagines herself as a falconer, taking control of Romeo.
• Gender Dynamics: She subverts traditional gender roles, akin to Eve controlling Adam.

Quotation 5: Marriage Proposition

• Juliet pressures Romeo to marry her, linking it to sexual freedom.
• Negotiation: She offers her fortune, understanding societal norms.
• Commentary on Marriage: Highlights the transactional nature of marriage in their society.

Quotation 6: Love and Death

• Juliet associates night with death, foreshadowing tragic outcomes.
• Death as a Metaphor: Links between love, sexuality, and mortality.
• Tragic Heroism: Imagines Romeo as a tragic hero.

Quotation 7: Response to Tybalt's Death

• Juliet's extreme response to Romeo's banishment reveals her priorities.
• Youth and Immaturity: Juliet's age (13) emphasizes her naivety and rebellion against her family.

Quotation 8: Submission to Capulet

• Juliet's kneeling and politeness highlight societal expectations.
• Silencing Women: She is denied a voice, reflecting patriarchal control.

Quotation 9: Suicide with a Dagger

• Juliet's choice of weapon symbolizes masculinity.
• Final Act of Rebellion: Her death critiques patriarchal control over her life.
• Sexual Imagery: Her body becomes a sheath for the dagger, signifying control over her sexuality.

Conclusion

• Shakespeare portrays Juliet's journey as a rebellion against patriarchal constraints.
• Juliet's actions highlight the oppressive nature of society regarding women's autonomy and sexuality.