Character+Change5

CHARACTER CHANGE__**
 * __[[image:romeo.juliet.jpg align="right"]]

Important characters who experience change in the play are Romeo and Juliet.


 * __Techniques used to show changes are:__**
 * Actions
 * Dialogue
 * Contrast


 * __Examples which show change in Romeo's character:__**


 * Balcony Scene
 * Fight scene, murder of Tybalt
 * Suicide Attempt
 * Suicide at end of play


 * __Examples which show change in Juliet's character:__**
 * Balcony Scene
 * Marriage to Romeo
 * Suicide Threat/plan
 * Suicide at end of play

__**How does Romeo Change?**__

At the start of the play Romeo is naive, selfish, immature and obsessed with the idea of love. He is infatuated with a rich young lady named Rosaline. He claims that he loves Rosaline yet later that night professes his love for Juliet. Upon meeting Juliet he is told that he "kisses by the book". Juliet's words imply that Romeo is not genuine in his love, he acts almost like a professional who has learnt how to love rather than truly experienced it. He also states that he has never seen "true beauty" prior to meeting Juliet. Earlier that night he had told Benvolio no one could ever be more beautiful than Rosaline. This shows how fickle and shallow Romeo's character is at this point.

In the balcony scene later that night Romeo sneaks into the Capulet orchard and declares his love for Juliet. He flatters Juliet with numerous metaphors comparing Juliet to the sun or a religious figure. Breaking into the orchard is also

Later in the play Friar Lawrence also shows his views of Romeo's character when he states "young men's love lies not in their hearts but in their eyes". This is in response to Romeo's request that he marry Juliet and himself. The Friar believes that Romeo is not truely in love with Juliet. He is love with being in love. The Friar only agrees in the hope that the marriage will end the feud between the families. Later in the play Romeo's passionate and impulsive nature is reinforced when he attempts to kill himself. He finds out that he has been banished from Verona and is overcome at the thought that this will keep him from Juliet. Instead of thinking rationally about possible solutions he instead grabs a dagger ans tries to stab himself. He is held back by the Friar who berates him for his selfishness. Romeo's character begins to change at this point. He starts to mature and actually thinks about Juliet instead of only himself. He also thinks about this actions carefully instead of reacting impulsively. This is best shown when Romeo hears news of Juliet's 'death'. In contrast to his previous suicide attempt Romeo begins to plan how he can join Juliet in death. He states "Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight". He then organises to buy a deadly poison from the apothecary in Verona and makes his way deliberately to the Capulet buriel vault. His intention is to take the poison and lie next to Juliet in tomb.

These actions show how Romeo has changed from being passionate, selfish and obsessed with love to being considerate and mature. His actions are genuine and show that he truly loves Juliet. His action of killing himself also shows that he is not just thinking of himself. He has taken Juliet and her love for him into consideration. He believes Juliet died for his sake and he is now prepared to do the same. The fact that he thinks seriously about how to achieve this also shows he has become much more rational instead of impulsive.


 * __WHY IS THIS CHARACTER IMPORTANT?__**

Romeo's character is important as he helps highlight the theme of the destruction caused when passion overrides reason. Romeo's passionate nature leads him to killing his wifes cousin in anger and also attempting to kill himself in a moment of despair. These actions are catalysts for all events which follow in the play, including both Romeo and Juliet's eventual deaths.


 * __QUOTES:__**
 * "You kiss by the book"
 * "Never did I see true beauty till this night"
 * "It is the east and Juliet is the sun"
 * "Speak again bright angel...winged messenger of heaven"
 * "young men's love lies not in their hearts but in their eyes".
 * "I thought thy disposition better tempered...thy tears are womanish"
 * "Juliet I will lie with thee tonight"


 * __How does Juliet Change?__**

At the start of the play Juliet is responsible, level headed and obedient. She thinks carefully about her decisions and does not let her emotions affect her actions. This is best shown in the balcony scene where she tells Romeo that he is moving too fast. She does not fall for his flowery words and declarations of love.

Juliet's maturity and sense is again shown when she tells Romeo that if he truly loves her he should "propose marriage". This action also helps show that Juliet is starting be more independent. She is taking her life into her own hands instead of obeying her parents. She marrys Romeo despite the knowlegde that her parents would not approve and also expect her to marry Paris.

Her reasonable nature is also shown when Juliet finds out about Romeo's banishment. She lies to her parents and tells them she will marry Paris. She then organises to see Friar Lawrence at confession. In this meeting she forces Friar Lawrence to help her and Romeo. She tells him she will kill herself if he does not help her and Romeo to be together.

All of these actions help show Juliet as being mature, organised and rational.

In the ending scene however Juliet lets passion override reason. She wakes from her slumber to find that Romeo (thinking her dead) has poisoned himself. Juliet allows her emotions to effect her actions. She is so overcome with grief that she stabs herself in order to be with Romeo if only in death.


 * __WHY IS THIS CHARACTER IMPORTANT?__**

Juliet's character is important as she helps show the main theme of the play - The destruction caused when passion overrides reason. This is shown by the fact that throughout the play Juliet consistantly acts in a reasonable and mature manner. The instant she lets passion cloud her judgement destruction ensues. Passion overriding reason leads Juliet to kill herself.


 * __QUOTES:__**


 * "It is too rash, too sudden to unadvised"
 * "swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, lest your love prove likewise variable"
 * "oh bid me leap rather than marry Paris"
 * "Oh happy dagger, this is thy shealth"