What is the characterization of Juliet Capulet, other than she was hasty?
1 Answer
Oh my gosh. Juliet Capulet was so much. "hasty" doesn't even really define her characterization, but an action that she made. If anything, Romeo is hasty. Let me get to that in the explanation.
Explanation:
Okay the reason why I disagree with the fact that she is hasty is because her mother and her nurse WANTED her to get married and to find a boy at this ball. Namely, they wanted her to marry Paris. That's two women trying to get Juliet to be hasty.
She says:
"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." (I,3,482)
She's basically saying, "Sure, whatever, you can say what you want but you can't make me like anyone". That's the opposite of haste. That's Juliet knowing that marriage is a big decision and that her lady friends can't force that decision on her, even if Paris is a "man of wax".
And sure, she did meet and fall in love with Romeo extremely fast. But she's still super patient, and doesn't want things to go TOO fast. Romeo says, "What, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" (Basically trying to get in Juliet's pants, honestly.) and Juliet shoots back with, "What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?" (II,2,977)
She's saying, "Man, I love you, and I do want to get married to you, but can't you slow down a little bit?"
Romeo is the hasty, lovesick, needy little puppy here. Not Juliet, I don't think.
But to go on and answer your actual question (sorry for the rambling omg).... Juliet's personality has many layers. She's a 13 year old girl, but she just always seems to know what's up. As I mentioned before, her lady friends are all, "Hey Juliet, Count Paris is totally hot and rich and wants to marry you, how about it?" and she basically goes, "Hey, I'll see if I like him. But if I don't, don't pressure me."
I don't know about you, but if I was a little kid and someone offered me marriage to prince charming , I'd drop everything and say yes. Juliet is mature and patient.
But she's also a kid. Her interactions with Nurse are extremely silly and show us that she is light-hearted and sweet. Long story short because I'm running out of room: Juliet is super mature. She devotes to the people that she loves and she would do anything for the one that she cares about. She may be a child, but she is lionhearted. I love Juliet.
