The Girl with Many Responsibilities

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In Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare, Juliet is a thirteen year old girl who has many responsibilities bestowed upon her. Within a five day span, multiple life changing events occur in her life. Romeo and Juliet get married within a few hours of meeting each other. While the lovers are enjoying their new married lives, Lord Capulet is arranging the marriage between Paris and Juliet. Lord Capulet feels they are perfect for each other.

Lord Capulet, a short tempered man, is the father of young Juliet. Lord Capulet has always been nurturing towards Juliet, since she is his only child. In the beginning of the book he believes Juliet is not ready for marriage, and she should wait until she is at least fifteen or sixteen. Multiple times Paris, a prince, has approached Lord Capulet asking Juliet’s hand in marriage. Lord Capulet has always pushed it off because Juliet is only thirteen. For instance, when Lord Capulet says to Paris “But saying o’er what I have said before. 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.” (1.2.7-11). Lord Capulet seems to have made up his mind, but he has not. Near the end of the book, Lord Capulet arranges the marriage between Paris and Juliet. Lord Capulet and Paris shook hands, meaning it is a done deal. When Juliet finds out about the arranged marriage, she is deeply upset. Lord Capulet did not expect Juliet to react in such a manner, so he gives her an ultimatum. To become a beggar in the streets or marry Paris, she had to make a decision quickly. For example, Lord Capulet says a cruel line to Juliet “But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next To go ...

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...liet percepts life. Romeo also changes in a few ways. He is not as sullen, but he is still quite dramatic He is deeply upset about being exiled from Verona. In addition, he is still impulsive when it comes to making decisions (he threatens to kill himself twice). Romeo and Juliet both grow more mature after meeting each other. In the end, Romeo and Juliet’s (mostly Romeos!) impulsive decisions leads to their untimely deaths.

Juliet is a girl that has made a lot of hard decisions within a short period of time. Many of the decisions were impulsive and it ultimately leads to her death. After Juliet met Romeo, she changed as a person. Juliet does actions that are out of her character. Within a five day time period, she made a few life changing decisions. Juliet finds herself having many responsibilities for a thirteen year old, and it shows how much she can handle.

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