2. In a minimum of 200 words/maximum of 250 words, critically analyse the following speeches made by Juliet and Romeo and explain why and how these young lovers want to change their social identity.
Remember to structure your answer as a single paragraph, not in bullet-points/as separate answers.
Your answer should contain the following:
-a clear explication (critical examination) of why Romeo and Juliet are willing to forsake their identities.
- Lastly, whether you disagree with their decision.
(Substantiate your stance: why do you disagree with their decision to change their social identities? How will you prove this by means of critical, textual analysis? Do not moralise, speculate or present uniformed/unsupportable opinions!).
Juliet
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Romeo
[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Juliet
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other word would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would — were he not Romeo called —
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
Romeo
[Aloud] I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
In these young lovers’ speeches, Juliet and Romeo express their willingness to forsake their social identities as Capulet and Montague because their love transcends their family’s feud. Juliet proposes that Romeo denies his family and, therefore, his name to be with her, while Romeo agrees that he would forsake his name to be with her, stating that a name is nothing but a label that does not define one’s true essence. For them, their social identities bear no weight compared to their affection, and their love is of a higher value than the divisiveness that their families’ feud might cause.
Their motivation to change their social identities is clear from this conversation. They both believe that their family’s names are long-established enemies, and they cannot change this history. Thus, they must pay for the sins of the past with their identity, but they feel they can escape the feud’s grip by ignoring it. They wish to only care for and love one another without contemplating their families’ past misfortunes.
In conclusion, I cannot disagree with their decision because of the essence of their love that raises it above societal divisions. Their love is pure and genuine, and it has no place within society’s boundaries. They cannot be who their families want them to be, and their only prospect of living a meaningful life is to follow their hearts and hope for the best. Unfortunately, their decision causes a string of unfortunate events, including their deaths, but it shows that true love knows no social boundaries and can pave the way for the unlikely. The textual analysis supports their decision because it validates their love and what it symbolizes; love can only exist between two individuals and not within societal constructs.
In their speeches, Juliet and Romeo express a desire to forsake their social identities and transcend the constraints of their family names, the Capulets and the Montagues, respectively. Juliet begins by longing for Romeo to abandon his name, stating, "Deny thy father and refuse thy name," and proposes that if he does not, she will renounce her own identity as a Capulet. She argues that it is only Romeo's name that stands between them, as she sees it as an enemy that separates them unnecessarily. Juliet believes that a person's name does not define who they are, stating, "What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man." She argues that names are insignificant and that the essence of a person is not tied to their family lineage. Juliet wants to break free from the social expectations and animosity tied to their families' rivalries and create a new identity with Romeo.
Similarly, Romeo responds by contemplating Juliet's proposition and muses whether he should continue listening or interject. He acknowledges the power of names and agrees with Juliet that they are not essential factors in defining a person's true self. Romeo declares, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet." He believes that if he were not called Romeo, he would retain the same qualities and perfection that make him who he is. Romeo then expresses his willingness to change his identity for Juliet, declaring, "Henceforth, I never will be Romeo" and stating that he will be reborn with a new name if she calls him "love."
Regarding whether I disagree with their decision, I believe that while Juliet and Romeo's desire to transcend their social identities is emblematic of their true and unconditional love, their decision is one that is ill-fated from the start. Their families' enmity is deeply ingrained and has already resulted in violence and tragedy. By forsaking their identities, Juliet and Romeo not only risk losing their societal and familial support systems but also place themselves in greater danger. Their decision to change their social identities does not address or resolve the larger issues surrounding their families' feuds. Furthermore, their ultimate sacrifice for love leads to their tragic demise, suggesting that their desire to change their social identity did not ultimately result in a positive outcome. This interpretation is supported by the fact that their love is influenced by passion and impulsivity, and their decision to forgo their identities is fueled by their overwhelming infatuation with each other. Thus, while their desire to change their social identities is understandable given the circumstances, it is not a decision I agree with due to the inevitable consequences it brings upon them.