Analysis

  • Analysing Romeo

    Throughout much of the play, Romeo goes out of his way to avoid conflict. The first time we meet him, he tells Benvolio off for getting involved in the street brawl. However, by the midpoint of the play, Romeo has killed Tybalt. This action is the beginning of the end for Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and ultimately their lives. Anyone writing about Romeo and Juliet, or playing Romeo on stage, would need to look at his motivations at this point and ask:

    What makes Romeo kill Tybalt?

    We’ve started to think below about some of the reasons behind his actions. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 1: Look at the prologue and the fight in the scene. How is it started?
    • Act 1 Scene 5: Take a look at Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo at the ball.
    • Act 3 Scene 1: What happens in the lead up to and immediately after Tybalt’s death?
    • Act 3 Scene 2: Look at the different reactions from Juliet about the news of Tybalt’s death.

    Point

    Mercutio is Romeo’s best friend and, in a rage, he kills Tybalt.

    Evidence

    ‘Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain! / Away to heaven, respective lenity, / And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!’ (Romeo, 3:1)

    Explanation

    Romeo’s language tells us that he has seen red with his ‘fire-eyed fury’. His grief has turned to anger and his response to Mercutio’s death is rash and impulsive.

    Point

    Despite marrying Juliet, Romeo is still a Montague and Tybalt has dishonoured him by killing Mercutio and calling him a coward.

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    Point

    If he didn’t kill Tybalt, he would have been killed himself.

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    As you explore Romeo’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why he does what he does. We have pulled together some advice to help you explore the changes in Romeo’s language in the Language Analysis section.

  • Analysing Juliet

    For most of the play, Juliet is very sensible. Even when she’s falling madly in love with Romeo, she’s aware of the need to slow down and do things properly. So what makes her decide to take a potion that would make her appear dead? A decision that has far greater outcomes than she could possibly have thought possible. For an actor playing Juliet on stage or someone writing about the character, it is important to ask:

    What makes Juliet fake her own death?

    We’ve started to answer this below. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that answer this question, making sure you back everything up with evidence! The following scenes are good places to look for reasons:

    • Act 3 Scene 2: Look at Juliet’s reaction to the news of Romeo’s banishment.
    • Act 3 Scene 5: Look at the language used when Romeo and Juliet say goodbye.
    • Act 4 Scene 1: Listen to what Juliet says to Friar Laurence when she is alone with him.
    • Act 4 Scene 3: What is Juliet’s reaction to the news of her second wedding?

    Point

    As she is already married to Romeo, she can’t now marry Paris.

    Evidence

    ‘God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands; / And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seal'd, / Shall be the label to another deed, / Or my true heart with treacherous revolt / Turn to another, this shall slay them both.’ (Juliet, 4:1)

    Explanation

    Juliet tells Friar Laurence that she would rather stab herself than marry Paris against the will of God. She also talks about the legal repercussions of bigamy (or marrying twice) which is illegal.

    Point

    She thinks that the plan could enable her and Romeo to be together again.

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    Point

    She doesn’t want to dishonour her family.

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    As you explore Juliet’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why she does what she does. We have pulled together some further guidance about Juliet’s language in the Language Analysis section.

  • Analysing the Nurse

    Throughout the play, the Nurse constantly tells Juliet how good a match Paris would be for her, also telling Juliet that Romeo is not a good match. However, despite this, she still assists Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, carrying messages and helping them to marry in secret. The Nurse knows the families will disapprove and yet she helps anyway. Anyone writing about Romeo and Juliet, or playing the Nurse on stage, would need to look at her motivations at this point and ask:

    Why does the Nurse help Romeo and Juliet marry?

    We’ve started to think below about some of the reasons behind her actions. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 4: Look at the language the Nurse uses about Juliet and what this shows about her loyalties and relationship to Juliet.
    • Act 2 Scene 5: What does this scene tell you about the Nurse’s position in the Capulet household?
    • Act 3 Scene 2: Look at how the Nurse tries to comfort Juliet.

    Point

    She is employed by Juliet’s family and, as Juiet's nurse, has to do as she is told.

    Evidence

    ‘I must another way, / To fetch a ladder, by the which your love / Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark: / I am the drudge and toil in your delight.’ (The Nurse, 2:5)

    Explanation

    Having spent time ‘trudging’ the streets of Verona to find Romeo, the Nurse must now, instead of going to dinner, find a ladder so Romeo can climb into Juliet’s bedroom. This is just one of many tasks that Juliet gives the Nurse to carry out throughout the play.

    Point

    She loves Juliet and will do anything to keep her happy.

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    Point

    She wants to see Juliet marry as she looks on her as her own child.

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    As you explore the Nurse’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why she does what she does.

  • Analysing Lord Capulet

    The first time we meet Lord Capulet in Act 1 Scene 2, he tells Paris that Juliet is too young to marry but by Act 3 Scene 4 he has completely changed his mind and agrees to the marriage. When Juliet refuses and he continues to force her into the marriage, it causes Juliet to act in a way that ultimately leads to her death. This makes his decision to go ahead with arranging the marriage an important point in this character’s journey and it’s important to ask:

    Why does Lord Capulet force Juliet to marry Paris even though she objects?

    See if you can complete the grid below to answer this question, completing four points. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 2: Think about the description of Juliet Lord Capulet gives Paris.
    • Act 1 Scene 3: Think about how Lady Capulet and the Nurse talk about Paris. How would this impact on Lord Capulet?
    • Act 3 Scene 5: Look at the reasons Lord Capulet gives for why he is so angry.

    Point

    Lord Capulet believes Juliet is very young and can’t make decisions by herself.

    Evidence

    ‘My child is yet a stranger in the world; / She hath not seen the change of fourteen years, / Let two more summers wither in their pride, / Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.’ (Lord Capulet, 1:2)

    Explanation

    Lord Capulet initially says that Juliet should wait at least two more years before getting married as she is a ‘stranger in the world’. He says this because Juliet would have been educated and entertained in the family home so wouldn’t have been seen by the outside world. This also explains why Romeo and Juliet didn’t recognise each other.

    Point

    He wants Juliet to have a good match in marriage.

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    Point

    Lord Capulet wants to join his family to Paris’ so he may curry favour with the Prince.

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    As you explore Lord Capulet’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why he does what he does.

Teacher Notes

For each of the characters on this page we’ve asked some central questions. These are great questions to explore with students in mind maps, or as class debates.

The following activity will help you explore Juliet’s character even further with students.

Juliet’s Rebellion (2018)

The activity can be found on pages 6-7 with resources on pages 20-21. It takes approximately 30 minutes.