A Character Profile of Juliet From 'Romeo and Juliet'

Scene from Romeo and Juliet
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Juliet from "Romeo and Juliet" is one of William Shakespeare's best-known characters. She is the young daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet. At age 13, Juliet is beautiful, innocent, and—importantly—of marriageable age.

Before meeting Romeo, Juliet had thought little about love and marriage. Her parents, on the other hand, are keen to marry her to a rich and well-connected husband; they have chosen Count Paris, who has expressed interest in Juliet, as their daughter's future husband. Whether or not Juliet is interested herself is not a concern to anyone but her.

How Life Changes for Juliet Capulet

Like many women in Shakespeare's plays, Juliet has very little freedom and is disconnected from the outside world, and she doesn't fight back against it. That begins to change, however, when ​fate brings her to Romeo. She instantly falls in love with him, despite his being the son of her family’s enemy, Lord Montague: “My only love sprung from my only hate,” she exclaims.

This sparks a growth in maturity for Juliet. Now, she is not only willing to defy her family, but she is also prepared to abandon them in order to be with Romeo.

Juliet: A Strong Female Character

Juliet Capulet appears to be a shy and innocent girl at the beginning of the play, but the depth of her character shows as she meets Romeo, defies her father, marries Romeo, and ultimately commits suicide.

While appearing quiet and obedient, Juliet displays inner strength, intelligence, bravery, wit, and independence. It is, in fact, Juliet who asks Romeo to marry her. Juliet continues to dispel the notion of shyness in scenes where she speaks just as much as Romeo and with the same degree of confidence.

Juliet also shows her inner strength and independent nature in her decision to die rather than marry Paris: "If all else fail, myself have power to die." By so doing, she takes control of her own destiny instead of allowing her life to be controlled by others, as so many young women in her circumstances at that time would.

Juliet's Quotes of Character

Juliet's own words demonstrate her strength of character, independence, and growing maturity, especially regarding love. Here are some examples:

Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say "It lightens." Sweet, good night.
(Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 123–127)
Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honorable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,
By one that I'll procure to come to thee,
Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite,
And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the world.
(Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 149–155)
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Jamieson, Lee. "A Character Profile of Juliet From 'Romeo and Juliet'." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/juliet-a-character-profile-2985038. Jamieson, Lee. (2023, April 5). A Character Profile of Juliet From 'Romeo and Juliet'. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/juliet-a-character-profile-2985038 Jamieson, Lee. "A Character Profile of Juliet From 'Romeo and Juliet'." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/juliet-a-character-profile-2985038 (accessed March 29, 2024).