Skip to main content

In Act III, Scene One of Romeo and Juliet, what do you think will be Juliet's reaction to learning of Tybalt's death? Why?

Every reader might have a different response to this question based upon their own personal compass and assessment of the text, so I can only answer for myself. Personally, I would have anticipated Juliet to be so devastated by the death of her cousin (and by the fact that it was her own husband who killed him) that she would have broken off her relationship with Romeo. As the saying goes, "Blood runs thicker than...

Every reader might have a different response to this question based upon their own personal compass and assessment of the text, so I can only answer for myself. Personally, I would have anticipated Juliet to be so devastated by the death of her cousin (and by the fact that it was her own husband who killed him) that she would have broken off her relationship with Romeo. As the saying goes, "Blood runs thicker than water;" after suffering such a loss, I would have assumed Juliet would blame Romeo for Tybalt's death, re-calibrate her emotional state, and return her allegiances to her family. 


Alas, those assumptions would be incorrect! To be fair, there is ample evidence that Juliet won't behave in such a traditional way since her relationship with Romeo is already an act of rebellion. In truth, Juliet is very conflicted upon learning the news of Tybalt's death and Romeo's subsequent banishment:



Is Romeo slaughter'd, and is Tybalt dead?


My dear-loved cousin, and my dearer lord?


Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom!


For who is living, if those two are gone?



Juliet must deal with the expectations of public grief that comes with being a Capulet after the loss of a family member, but also with the private grief of her husband's exile. Ultimately, she does not abandon Romeo, but instead chooses to defend and support him in spite of his crime and the immense distance it puts between them physically and emotionally.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more