In William Shakespeare’s play "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet's statement about being instructed by Friar Laurence "to fall prostrate here" carries a double meaning, reflecting both her outward behavior and her inner feelings.
On the surface, Juliet is ostensibly referencing the act of humbling herself before her father, Lord Capulet, in an apology for refusing to marry Paris. This act of submission is a reflection of her societal role as a obedient daughter expected to follow her father's wishes. By indicating that the Friar has urged her to "fall prostrate," she aligns herself with the expectations of Elizabethan society, suggesting she is willing to be subservient in order to appease her father.
However, the deeper meaning behind her words reveals her true intentions. Juliet does not genuinely intend to submit to her father’s will; instead, her reference to falling prostrate carries a defiant and strategic undertone. She is using the situation to mask her real feelings and the desperation of her circumstances, as she secretly plans to escape her impending marriage to Paris and reunite with her true love, Romeo. Thus, her statement is a clever manipulation of language, where her outward act of submission conceals her inner rebellion.
In this context, her words can also be seen as a display of irony. While she claims to comply with her father's demands, her plan to fake her death and ultimately seek reunion with Romeo reveals her rejection of the patriarchal authority he represents. Therefore, Juliet's statement acts as a dual-layered expression of both conformity and resistance, showcasing her intelligence and resolve in a situation where she has little power.
Overall, Juliet's declaration of being inclined to fall prostrate serves as a poignant example of the complexity of her character, reflecting both her position in a patriarchal society and her desire for agency in her own life. This duality is a central theme in "Romeo and Juliet," highlighting the conflict between individual desire and societal expectations.