Romeo and Juliet - to Pardon or Not to Pardon
To pardon or not to pardon an essay
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragedy about two young lovers, whose passionate love is ended by the fated death of both parties. The sad conclusion of their young love is also caused by many others besides the protagonists Romeo and Juliet; some shall be pardoned; while some shall be punished. Juliet’s beloved mother-figure- the Nurse, does not deserve the audience’s scorn. Friar John, the Franciscan monk who plays a part in the death of Romeo, should also, be forgiven. Friar Laurence and Capulet, on the other hand, have many faults that contribute to the end results, of which I will discuss further.
From the very beginning in Act 1 scene 3, the Nurse of Juliet Capulet is introduced to us. Lady Capulet is asking to see her daughter. Instead of looking for Juliet herself, she goes to the Nurse for her whereabouts. “Lady Capulet: Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her forth to me.” (1.3.1) From this first glance we can boldly assume that growing up in a grand family like the Capulets, Juliet is more acquainted with her Nurse rather than her mother. Another example is when the Nurse recalls Juliet’s childhood and how she breastfed her. It was very rare during the Elizabethan time for someone else to breastfeed one’s daughter instead of the biological mother. This is also part of the reason why there is such a gap between the older generation – Lady Capulet, and the younger generation- Juliet later on in the play. ‘Tis since the earthquake now eleven years; and she was wean’d-I shall never forget it- of all the days of the year, upon that day.
For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,
Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall. (1.3.24-28)
Juliet refers to her mother as “Madam” instead of “mother” or “mum” is another sign of their unfamiliarity. However, the Nurse is very dear to Juliet; from later scenes we will learn more about the relationship between mistress and servant.
In Act 2 scene 4, the Nurse
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragedy about two young lovers, whose passionate love is ended by the fated death of both parties. The sad conclusion of their young love is also caused by many others besides the protagonists Romeo and Juliet; some shall be pardoned; while some shall be punished. Juliet’s beloved mother-figure- the Nurse, does not deserve the audience’s scorn. Friar John, the Franciscan monk who plays a part in the death of Romeo, should also, be forgiven. Friar Laurence and Capulet, on the other hand, have many faults that contribute to the end results, of which I will discuss further.
From the very beginning in Act 1 scene 3, the Nurse of Juliet Capulet is introduced to us. Lady Capulet is asking to see her daughter. Instead of looking for Juliet herself, she goes to the Nurse for her whereabouts. “Lady Capulet: Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her forth to me.” (1.3.1) From this first glance we can boldly assume that growing up in a grand family like the Capulets, Juliet is more acquainted with her Nurse rather than her mother. Another example is when the Nurse recalls Juliet’s childhood and how she breastfed her. It was very rare during the Elizabethan time for someone else to breastfeed one’s daughter instead of the biological mother. This is also part of the reason why there is such a gap between the older generation – Lady Capulet, and the younger generation- Juliet later on in the play. ‘Tis since the earthquake now eleven years; and she was wean’d-I shall never forget it- of all the days of the year, upon that day.
For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,
Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall. (1.3.24-28)
Juliet refers to her mother as “Madam” instead of “mother” or “mum” is another sign of their unfamiliarity. However, the Nurse is very dear to Juliet; from later scenes we will learn more about the relationship between mistress and servant.
In Act 2 scene 4, the Nurse