How does Shakespeare make the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet in Act 3 Scene 5? William Shakespearean contemporary play of its time “Romeo and Juliet” was written in the 16th Century, it is probably one of the most famous tragedies. This play introduced many themes such as suicide, betrayal and love, which was not common in that era. Shakespeare presents strong and powerful women in his plays; having Juliet make decisions without her parents would come across to the audience as disgusting and shocking.
In the 1 6th Century audiences were very religious, for Juliet to turn her back on her parents as ell as God would have left the audience astonished. Furthermore, it wasn’t stereotypical for a young girl at the age of fourteen to betray her parents as well as committing a mortal sin towards god. Juliet Capsule falls in love with Romeo Montague at the Caplet’s masked ball. Later on during the play they both discover each other’s identities and realism they are both from the opposite feuding families, the Capsules and the Montages. They both marry secretly and decide to spend their lives with each other, despite the families’ feud.
Although, Romeo tries to avoid another evil brawl, he becomes angered when Table kills his best friend and consequently murders Table. Table’s death leads to Romeo being banished from Verona. The audience already feel pity and more affectionate for Juliet in the beginning of Act 3 Scene 5 as the audience have already experienced Lord Capsule arranging Gullet’s marriage with County Paris. Shakespeare comes across as a risk taker, Shakespeare is not afraid or scared to introduce themes that the 1 6th Century readers were unfamiliar with. This makes him an intelligent writer.
However, Juliet will not get her happy ending ND the sympathy for the audience will begin to grow. My objective is to analyses how Shakespeare makes the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet in Act 3 Scene 5. During the beginning of Act 3 Scene 5, Juliet is desperate for Romeo to stay longer. “… Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day: it was the nightingale, and not the lark”. This increases the sympathy we feel for Juliet as they’ve only been married for a short time and spent only one night together as husband and wife.
Juliet also tries to persuade Romeo to stay longer through her attempts of futile. “… Therefore stay yet; thou needn’t not to be gone’ Juliet longs for Romeo to stay, as Romeo himself knows that if he stays he will face death. Shakespeare makes the audience feel increasingly sympathetic for Juliet through the use of foreshadowing. “… Let me be eaten, let me be put to death” In the prologue it states. “… A pair of star-crossed lovers take their lives” The audience already know the story has a tragic ending. Therefore, Romeo speaking “…
Let me be put to death;” makes the audience feel even more pity for Juliet as we know they both commit suicide in the end. At the start of the play the atmosphere is very soft, calm and romantic. “… Look eve, what envious streaks” This creates sympathy as the audience know that the peace will not last very long, and soon the mood will be totally different and a complete contrast to the rest of the play. Immediately, as Romeo leaves things take a turn for the worse for Juliet. Shakespeare uses many devices through out the scene such as double talk. “… Feeling so the loss” and “… Et me weep for such a feeling loss”. This creates sympathy for the audience towards Juliet as her mother presumes she’s talking about the death of her beloved cousin. “… From the reach of these my hands: would none but might avenge my cousin’s death”. However, Juliet is emotional over Romeo being banished to Mantra. Shakespeare shows Gullet’s relationship with her mother is weak. “… Madam, I am not well” and “what unaccustomed cause procures her hither” Juliet calls her mother “madam” which is very formal as in the 1 6th Century saying mother would be more respectable.
Also when Juliet states, “Unaccustomed” it shows for her that it’s unusual for her mother to come to her chamber. Lady Caplet’s arrival also shows that the relationship that Juliet and Lady Capsule share isn’t very close and is weak which would be common at that time. Stereotypically, in the era upper class families would usually have a nurse or a nanny to raise their children. Shakespeare makes the audience feel sympathetic towards Juliet through the use of dramatic irony. “… But now I tell thee joyful tidings, girl” The audience already know that Juliet will be told to marry Paris early Thursday morning.
However, Juliet doesn’t. The audience already have a degree of sympathy as they watch Romeo leave Juliet with only spending a short time together as a married couple. What makes that audience feel even more pity for Juliet is that she’s going to be ordered to marry Paris. Juliet states in Act 3 Scene 5, “… Till behold him dead Juliet thoughts are so preoccupied with Romeo that she almost slips up with her emotions. She recognizes this and quickly adds dead – ” Straight away so her mother doesn’t become suspicious of the feelings and emotions Juliet has for Romeo.
Shakespeare majesties stand out from the rest of the 16th Century girls. “Now, by Saint Peters Church and Peter too, He shall not make me there a joyful bride” Juliet is a mature, well mannered rich girl. Her mother, not in a million years thought that a 16th Century girl would have reacted the way Juliet did. At the same time, women were classed as a lower gender than men. Gullet’s refusal was a huge shock to her mother, Lord Capsule and most importantly the audience. Juliet feels betrayed and abandoned as her own mother is commanding her to marry Paris and leaving her no choice.
In the 16th Century girls at the age of 13 to 14 would be married off and their main aims in life would be a mother and to be a wife. Upper class families usually actively arranged their child’s marriage. County Paris is a wealthy, upper class, powerful man so Lady Capsule genuine thinks that this is what Juliet would want. This portrays that]elite is more contemporary than her time and that SSH?s not a stereotypical girl. In the quote “… L will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear, It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate” shows that Gullet’s tone of voice starts to become aggressive.
Also that SSH?s not afraid to speak her mind which would be highly unusual for the society at the time. In the era, daughters had a lot of respect for their mothers. Talking to your mother in the tone of voice that Juliet spoke in would be seen as disrespectful and bad- mannered in the 1 6th Century. In Act 3 Scene 5, when Lady Capsule demands that Juliet marries Paris, humanity is increased dramatically. “… Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn” This creates sympathy for Juliet as her mother was supposed to be looking out for Gullet’s happiness and love. Instead, she commands her daughter by saying “…
Marry, my child” leaving her no choice. Shakespeare also creates sympathy for Juliet as I?s not possible for her to marry Paris when she’s already secretly married to Romeo. However, the Caplet’s are not aware of this. The tension in this scene increases when Lady Capsule announces. “… Here comes your father: tell him so yourself, and see how he will take it at your ands” This creates sympathy for Juliet. As a mother, Lady Capsules job is to look after Juliet and give advice. Whereas, Lady Capsule does the complete opposite rushing her words as she arouses sympathy for her daughter.
The audience would expect a mother to empathic with her daughter and not dismiss the subject. Another reason why Lady Capsule said this was because she was scared of Lord Caplet’s response, as most women were of their husbands, she will not show disloyalty to him. As Capsule enters the scene the audience know things will take a turn for the worse, which again makes the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet. In Act 3 Scene 5, it shows the relationship that Juliet and Capsule have is much closer than Lady Caplet’s and Gullet’s. “… How now! A conduit, girl? What, still in tears?
Evermore showering? In one little body’ Capsule shows sympathy for Juliet as well as Shakespeare, by showing how concerned and apprehensive he is about her. Capsule calls his daughter “girl” and Juliet calls her mother “madam”. The bond that Capsule and Juliet share is much stronger and a complete contrast to what Juliet has with her mother. Also calling your daughter “girl” in the 16th Century was very affectionate. Capsule honestly believes Juliet will be thankful and filled with joy as it took such a long time for her father to choose a rich and noble gentleman. “… How now, wife!
Have you delivered to our decree? ” The mood and anticipation in this part of the play shows it is starting to become tenser. Capsule genuinely believes it is his wife’s fault for not delivering the news to Juliet. Capsule shows confusion and frustration towards Juliet in Act 3 Scene 5. “… Will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? ” Shakespeare shows that Capsule is confused through the use of questioning. Capsule finds it hard to understand why Juliet is refusing and why she’s not grateful and proud, that she will be marrying someone like Paris. When Lady Capsule states “… Would the fool were married to her grave! ” This makes the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet in Act 3 Scene 5, as her relationship with her mother isn’t strong. This makes it hard for Juliet to confront her mother. In fact, imagine how you would feel if your own mother expressed “l wish you was dead’? This would be the most awful experience that a child has to go through. However, Juliet Capsule shows appreciation towards her father. “… Not proud, o have; but thankful, that you have! ” As we see Capsule arrive, the dominance between men and women is proven.
Juliet feels confident to be rude to her mother however; when Capsule arrives Gullet’s tone of voice automatically becomes lower and much more respectable. Juliet identifies Caplet’s rising anger and therefore, tries to calm Capsule down by showing respect and appreciation. This also shows how much fear she has for her father which would be stereo-typical in the 16th Century. Shakespeare shows Caplet’s rising anger the rough the use of mocking. ” … ‘proud’ and ‘l thank you’ and ‘l thank you not'” Capsules tone starts to come aggressive and his insults increase. As Capsules anger rises the insults start to become stronger. … Or I will drag thee on hurdle thither” In the 1 6th Century a “hurdle” was a low wooden device, with wheels on the bottom, which you used to take someone to their execution. Shakespeare increases the sympathy we feel for Juliet dramatically. Capsule threatens Juliet that if she doesn’t marry Paris he will drag her to her execution, here Juliet has no choice but to marry Paris. Juliet is near confession as she states” I beseech you on my knees, hear me with patience but to speak a word” Juliet eggs on her knees for forgiveness, she wants to calm her father down.
By doing this she nearly reveals the secret marriage between Romeo and Juliet. Capsule insults his daughter verbally and declares “… Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! ” This must have been an awful point for Juliet, as insulting your own daughter in the 1 6th Century is the last thing that a girl wants. “… I tell thee what: get thee to church Thursday, or never look me in the face” Lord Capsule leaves his daughter a harsh choice and forces her to choose from marrying Paris early Thursday or never seeing her father again. Later on in the speech
Capsule announces “My fingers itch” Caplet’s rising anger shows he’s so angry he wants to beat his own daughter. Also, Capsule treats Juliet as a possession, which was typical of the era. Capsule refuses to listen to his daughter deliberately “… That god had lent us but this one child; but now I see this one is one to much, and that we have a curse in having her” Shakespeare makes the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet as Capsule is so hurt that his little girl that he loves so much is disobeying him and deceiving him. He also states that having Juliet was a big mistake and her regrets having her.
I’ll give you to my friend; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets” At the time, women were kept as possessions of men. In important situations such as marriage children obeyed their fathers, this echoes how men were more dominant in society and that they were allowed to demand and order there female children around. Shakespeare makes the audience feel pity for Juliet through the use of foreshadowing. “… Make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Table lies” Juliet threatens to commit suicide and pleads for Lady Capsules help and support as this is the time where she needs her mother the most.
O, sweet my mother, cast me not away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week” The audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet as she pleads for her mother’s affection. Juliet again threatens her mother by asking her to delay the marriage for a month or at least a week as long as she isn’t forced to marry Paris. This shows even more desperation as Juliet doesn’t care how long the marriage is postponed for. “Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word: Do as thou wilt, for have done with thee” The audience are absolutely horrified at this point as Lady Caplet’s reaction was harsher than Capsules.
As a 16th Century father Caplet’s reaction wasn’t surprising, but for Lady Capsule to end a relationship between her daughter so easily was shocking. Juliet feels abandoned and unwanted as the bond that she shares with her mother is weak. The audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet as during this part of the scene Juliet has lost her most loved ones; Table, Romeo and the support of Capsule and Lady Capsule. Juliet turns to the Nurse, fully expecting for help and support “I think it best you married with the county. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! ” The audience are feeling amazed and shocked at the Nurse’s response.
As a best friend who arranged Julies and Romeos marriage, the audience expected the Nurse to give Juliet support. Instead, the Nurse does the exact opposite. Shakespeare chose to do this so it wasn’t predictable and it would help the plot flow better. Shakespeare uses a very clever technique which doubles the sympathy we feel for Juliet. What makes the matter worse is the Nurse refers Romeo to a dishcloth. “Romeos a dishcloth to him” This makes Juliet feel angry and upset as the ML_Jeer is insulting her husband, Romeo. Juliet feels desperate and defeated towards the end of the scene which increases the sympathy we feel for her. Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend! ” This was a huge shock to the audience as an upper class; rich girl Juliet shouldn’t be using foul language. Juliet blames and insults the Nurse. For example if the Nurse had supported her, Juliet wouldn’t have attempted to commit suicide. “If all else fail, myself have power to die” Juliet is committing a mortal sin against not only her own family but also against god. For a 16th Century Catholic girl to commit suicide would mean she would spend the rest of her eternity in hell and wouldn’t be untitled to a religious burial.
At this time, Juliet would have caused a complete disgrace on the families name and against the Catholic religion. This also shows how strongly that she feels about not marrying County Paris and how far she’s prepared to go. The audience at the time would have found this appalling if they heard a young girl openly saying that rather than marrying someone else SSH?s prepared to take her own life. The main themes which were written in this play were betrayal, love and suicide as well as many others. Shakespeare is often referred to a dare devil and a risk taker.
As he wasn’t afraid of introducing themes that the 16th Century readers were unfamiliar with and trying anything knew and writing about it, which makes Shakespeare an intelligent writer. Over 400 years on, Shakespeare is still infamous and this story keeps resurfacing within the 21 SST Century. The audience would have found it extremely shocking when Juliet betrays her family and god for love. In the 21 SST Century this would be equally as shocking as for one person from a different religion marrying another person from another religion. For example; a Muslim was marrying a Sikh or a white marrying a black person.
This shows us how contemporary and long casting this story is and that since it had been written it had been adapted over 1 00 times. During Act 3 scene 5, the audience feel increasingly sympathetic towards Juliet as she is repudiated by those she loves the most; her husband as she may not see him again, her father, her mother and most importantly the Nurse. In my opinion, I believe the event that I felt was more effective and increased the pity we feel for Juliet is Caplet’s ultimatum. I felt this event kept the audience’s excitement and anticipation running and it almost doubled the sympathy we feel for Juliet Capsule. English Coursework
