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.

Question

Remember to structure your answer as a single paragraph, not in bullet-points/as separate answers.

Your answer should contain the following:
- Firstly, a synopsis, written in your own words, of the speeches below (demonstrate YOUR understanding of these speeches by summarising the key points they present).

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.

Answer 1

In these speeches, Juliet and Romeo express their desire to change their social identity to be with each other. Juliet asks Romeo to deny his family name, Montague, and become her lover, even if he doesn't want to change his name. She believes that a name doesn't define a person and that they could be together if he just loves her. Romeo is surprised by Juliet's words and is hesitant to speak, but he then realizes that his name is the only thing stopping them from being together. He agrees with Juliet's reasoning and says that he will give up his name if that's what it takes to be with her. He then asks Juliet to call him "love" instead of Romeo, and he will take on a new identity for her. Both of these speeches reveal the young lovers' frustration with the social norms that prevent them from being together. They are willing to reject their own families and change their identities to be with each other. They view their love as more important than their social status and even their names, demonstrating a desire to break free from the constraints of their society's expectations. Juliet and Romeo want to change their social identity to reflect their love for each other and to be able to freely express it without fear of societal consequences.