Romeo And Juliet Feminist Perspective

In the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, Juliet Capulet’s perspective on love transitions throughout the play. In the story, Romeo and Juliet have fallen in love, but the problems presented are, they are from feuding houses and another is after Juliet’s hand in marriage. This conflict manages to lead the reader through a journey of death, regret, impulsiveness, and sadness. In the beginning, Juliet starts from a perspective of love, that most young women uphold. She places love and marriage on a high pedestal, but does not think about it often. However, her point of view is not influenced by her love for Romeo. Throughout the play, her love and perspective gain strong bias due to the great passion that Romeo and Juliet

The night Juliet and Romeo meet, it is at the solemnity held by Lord Capulet. After kissing Romeo, she seeks the mysterious boy’s name from the Nurse and finds out he is a Montague. She is so in love she states, “If he is married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed,” but when she discovers he is a Montague she says “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (1.5.134-141). Her declaration of death "if he is married", perfectly illustrates her transition of perspective. Before meeting Romeo it seems that Juliet did not find any interest in marriage, but her view drastically changes once they acquaint. In addition to being in love, a part of her earlier view is still maintained. She still believes marriage is valuable. After the party, Juliet retreats to her balcony and Romeo finds his way to the Capulet Orchard. During the time they are speaking, Juliet asks him to, “O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable” (2.2.109-111). She asks this of him because she loves him so much, that she wishes for his love to never change and not have inconsistency , such as the moon is. Her request further proves her view on marriage. She is now in love with Romeo, which is a change from before, but she also knows that she should not rush into marriage, be reckless, and unadvised. This

Juliet receives distressing news that her cousin, Tybalt, has been slain by her husband, Romeo. This is the cause of Romeo’s banishment to Mantua. The Nurse delivers this message, and Juliet reacts with, “Tybalt is dead, and Romeo-banished.’ That ‘banished,’ that one word ‘banished,’ Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalt’s death Was woe enough, if it had ended there” (3.2.112-114). Her reaction explicitly depicts how great her love and passion have grown for Romeo. She believes Romeo’s banishment is more severe than the death of Tybalt, but she is still grieving for him. The event in which she worries more for Romeo’s banishment determines how willing she is to support Romeo, regardless of his actions, because he is her husband. While Romeo is in Mantua, Juliet’s father arranges for Juliet to marry. After the news of her arrangement of marriage to Paris, she goes to Friar Lawrence’s cell and begs him to find a way to prevent the wedding, “O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris… things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble, and I will do it without fear or doubt, to live an unstained wife to my sweet love” (4.1.77-88). Juliet wishes for Friar to help her do anything in order to not marry Paris, and remain a faithful wife. Her action also demonstrates how important her marriage is to her. She is willing to go to any lengths in order to remain faithful and an honorable wife.