Explore how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare portrays Juliet’s love as both passionate and tragic, exploring love’s power to transcend reason while foreshadowing its destructive potential. Her emotions evolve from youthful excitement to unwavering devotion, showing how love defies logic but leads to inevitable tragedy. In Act 3, Scene 2, she faces inner conflict upon learning Romeo has killed Tybalt, torn between love and loyalty. Though initially betrayed, her devotion prevails, revealing deep emotional turmoil. Through vivid imagery, oxymorons, and contrasts, Shakespeare emphasizes her struggle between love and duty, ultimately sealing her fate. The audience, aware of Juliet’s societal and familial pressures, sympathizes as she navigates impossible choices that reflect the constraints of her world.

At the beginning of the extract, Shakespeare presents Juliet as deeply conflicted, torn between love and anger. Her rhetorical question, “Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?” captures her hesitation—she initially condemns Romeo but then reminds herself of their marriage. ……

Video Breakdown preview

This video offers a detailed breakdown of a Level 6 model answer to the Romeo and Juliet question from the 2023 AQA Literature Paper 1. Focusing on Juliet’s emotional response in Act 3, Scene 2, the analysis explores how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo both in the extract and across the whole play.

Key areas covered include:

• • A strong thesis statement addressing Shakespeare’s intentions and Juliet’s emotional evolution.

  • In-depth AO1, AO2, and AO3 analysis highlighting Juliet’s conflict, loyalty, and character development.

  • Close examination of literary techniques like oxymorons, hyperbole, and celestial imagery.

  • Discussion of how Juliet’s love transcends logic and societal expectations, yet ultimately leads to tragedy.

  • Comparisons between Level 6 and Level 4 responses to show what lifts a top-mark essay.

By linking language choices to wider themes like love, fate, and family, this breakdown helps students understand what makes a high-level answer effective.