Sunday, March 6, 2016

How does Shakespeare capture Juliet's awkwardness and isolation from Paris at Friar Laurence's cell in Romeo and Juliet?

In this scene (Act IV scene 1), Juliet's lack of interest
in Paris--and in fact her frustration with his professions of love--is apparent in her
ambiguous speech.  Juliet's comments upon finding Paris with the Friar may sound
courteous on the surface, but they mostly serve as a screen for her true feelings.  If
you look closely you will find that many of Juliet's lines have a double meaning, often
revealing her true indifference to Paris and her loyalty to
Romeo.


After expressing concern that Juliet's tears have
marred her face, Paris adds, "They face is mine, and thou hast slandered it." Juliet
replies, "It may be so, for it is not mine own" (ln
37).


In the above line Juliet admits she is not being
herself--that she has presented a false face to Paris.  The dashes that follow indicate
that she quickly turns to the Friar as a means to escape further conversation with
Paris.

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