"But no more deep will I endart mine eye than your consent gives it strength to fly"
Reaction to major events
Upon learning that Romeo is a Montague
Attempts to rationalise and reach a solution
Tis but thy name is my enemy, thou art thy self though not a Montague
What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot nor arm nor face nor any part belonging to a man"
First reaction is to think about the situation and resolve it. rather than dwell on the impossible
which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet
During their exchange at the balcony
Realises the rash and impossibly quick exchange of vows is unwise
"I have no joy of this contract tonight
"It is too rash too unadvised too sudden too like the lightning"
"This bud of love by summer's ripening breath may prove a beauteous flower when we next meet"
Suggests that their love should be tended to and nurtured until it reaches full bloom
When she heard that Romeo had killed Tybalt
Initial Reaction: Angry
"O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face"
feels that Romeo had deceived her by comparing him to an evil
snake within, and on the outside, disguised himself as a good man
“damned saint” where she mocks and criticises him because this religious
reference was used by Romeo when he was courting Juliet at the Capulet Ball,
where he used religious references like “holy palmers kiss”
therefore, over here, Juliet is despising him and thinks that that was all a lie “O that deceit
should dwell in such a gorgeous palace” ---- highlights how she feels betrayed that he lied to her
by appearing as caring and loyal but later becoming evil by killing her beloved Tybalt
beautiful tyrant fiend angelical
First change in reaction: Regret
he realises that as Romeo’s wife, it is wrong to to accuse her own husband
“O what a beast was I to chide him”
“shall I speak ill of him that is my husband”
remembers her position as his wife, realises that it is only logical for
her to support him, and not go against him
“what tongue shall smooth thy name when i thy three hours wife have mangled it?”----- remembers her
loyalty to Romeo, where she promised him that she “will follow thee, my lord, throughout the world”
Second change in reaction: Happiness
changes to that of happiness upon discovering that Romeo is alive and
realises that she is very lucky at the way things turned out to be
“back foolish tears, back to your native spring”
highlights how she stops herself from grieving over Tybalt’s death
but instead to be joyful about Romeo’s predicament
she rationalises, “my husband lives, that Tybalt would have
slain and Tybalt’s dead, that would have slain my husband”
“All this is comfort, wherefore weep I then”
On her impending marriage to Paris
looks for help and comfort from those who are closest to her before turning to the final solution (death)
"comfort me, counsel me. Alack alack that the heavens should practice stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself"
"If all else fail, I myself have power to die"
Initial reaction is to seek for advice and a solution rather than to give into despair
she then recognizes if nothing will work, she will have to make her own decisions
"My dismal scene I needs must act alone"
On learning Romeo's death
Wastes no time and immediately acts
"O churl, drunk all and left no friendly drop to help me after"
"Haply some poison yet doth hang on them to make me die with a restorative"
"O happy dagger"
Willing to die, not afraid for she knows that she will be reunited with her loved one