How Does Shakespeare Present Ambition In Romeo And Juliet

I Love You and That’s All I Really Know: An Explication of Juliet’s Soliloquy

Throughout William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the power of the two lovers' attraction for each other is proved constantly, but the undeniable strength of their love and its effect on others is exemplified in Juliet’s soliloquy. A Montague and a Capulet, their love was condemned since they met. Aware but unmoved by this conflict, Romeo and Juliet secretly marry- soon after, Romeo murders Tybalt and is exiled, making their future uncertain. Unaware of Juliet’s marriage, her parents prepare her to wed Paris. The uncertainty of their love and Juliet’s opposition to marrying Paris lead Juliet to devise a plan allowing her to be with Romeo: to fake her death. Shakespeare

While lying in bed preparing to drink this mixture, Juliet describes: “I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins / That almost freezes up the heat of life / I’ll call them back again to comfort me” (4.3. 16-18). Juliet is scared, even desiring the comfort of her nurse whom she is irritated with for attacking Romeo and encouraging her to marry Paris, despite having praised him before, emphasizing how afraid she is that she is willing to put behind her feud. Juliet thinks with trepidation about what may happen if the Frair lied to her, worrying, “What if it be a poison which the Frair / Subtly hath ministered to have me dead” (4.3. 25-26). She does not trust the Frair to have been truthful in the potion’s intent and worries it may kill her, being to his advantage as it would protect him from the dishonor which would come from Juliet marrying both Romeo and Paris. If she lives, Juliet worries, “Is it not very like / The horrible conceit of death and night / Together while the terror of the place” (4.3. 37-39). If she wakes before Romeo can save her, she will be trapped in the vault. She worries she would be faced with thoughts of death and with the terror of night, along with the eeriness which comes from it being the tomb of her dead ancestors. Juliet is frightened as she lies preparing to take the mixture, fearing the outcome whether she lives or dies, her fear acting

While afraid the mixture may kill her, she reminds herself that the Frair “hath still been tried a holy man” (4.3. 31) Although she worries that the Frair may have created a poison, she remembers he is a priest, and is therefore not likely to murder her. So afraid that she wishes for the support of her nurse, she thinks, “What should she do here? / My dismal scene I needs must act alone” (4.3. 19-20). In deciding to do something so terrifying by herself, Juliet’s independence and strength are demonstrated. The development in her independent thought is made evident by no longer confiding in her nurse. When Juliet exclaims, “I drink to / thee” (4.3. 59-60), she overcomes her greatest fear of what may happen if she drinks the concoction, motivated by her love for Romeo. Through overcoming her fears, Juliet’s strength and the power of her love for Romeo is proven, although she has another challenge she must overcome: her