Isolation of Juliet in Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet

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In one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, Romeo and Juliet, his female protagonist finds that her intense love for Romeo and Romeo’s own actions have begun to alienate her from those she cares for. The playwright originally introduced the thirteen year old Juliet to us as a still obedient child, and after meeting and falling for Romeo, her previously safe and secure life begins to unravel around her. This increase in isolation culminates in the events leading to the play’s tragic climax. Her actions within these decisive scenes serve to increase our admiration for Juliet – for despite her arguably rash decisions and perhaps self-inflicted isolation her incredible bravery shines through. This courage displays a new maturity in Juliet, one which we find ourselves greatly respecting.

When we first meet Juliet Capulet, we find her cocooned within the safety of her parents’ position and wealth, and the mothering love of her best friend, a woman known to us only as “the nurse”. It is the latter’s friendship which appears to better define the young protagonist. For with her parents, Juliet is nothing more or less than a dutiful, obedient daughter and this we learn of her almost immediately after meeting her: “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move,

But no more deep will I endart mine eye

Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.”

This Juliet says after her flamboyant and frequently absent mother makes it known to her that she must watch Paris, the man who they intend for her. This is in order to decide whether or not she will marry him. Her immediate obedience in the matter is an issue which soo...

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As Juliet is stripped of her husband and family support, we see her grow in extreme circumstances to become a strong tragic heroine worthy of our respect and admiration. In the face of Romeo’s banishment she remains staunchly faithful and her parents’ lack of compassion only makes her stronger. Her isolation forces her to think for herself as she’s never really had to before, which has consequences both good and bad. The fact that many of her decisions seem to us foolish or badly planned is near irrelevant in shaping our new respect for this girl ready to die before betraying her husband. Shakespeare poignantly removes Juliet from all her relationships one by one in the last scene of scene three until Juliet is alone. This desperate determination to do whatever she must to be a good wife to Romeo is repeated in her last suicidal moments later in the play.

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