In Romeo and Juliet, both characters express a desire to change their social identities in order to be together. In Juliet's speech, she pleads for Romeo to "deny thy father and refuse thy name" or to be "some other name" because she believes that their names are the only barrier preventing them from being together. She argues that a name is merely a label and does not determine one's identity, stating "What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, / Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part / Belonging to a man." On the other hand, Romeo recognizes that his name is the only thing keeping him from being with Juliet and decides to forsake it. He agrees with Juliet's assertion that "That which we call a rose, / By any other word would smell as sweet" and takes up a new identity as "love" instead of Romeo.
The reason why Romeo and Juliet are willing to change their social identities is because their families are feuding and their love is forbidden. In their society, social status and family name are incredibly important and define one's identity. As members of rival families, Romeo and Juliet are not allowed to be together and their love is deemed inappropriate. By changing their social identities and forsaking their family names, they hope to redefine their relationship and love each other freely without societal constraints.
Personally, while their decision to forsake their social identities is understandable given the circumstance, I do not agree with it. Changing their identities may allow them to be together, but it does not address the root cause of the problem - the feud between their families. In the end, their decision to change their identities only leads to tragedy and does not solve the larger societal issues at play. The play shows that societal expectations and norms can be oppressive and dangerous, but it also highlights the importance of addressing larger systemic issues instead of solely focusing on individual solutions.
Works cited:
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Edited by Jill L. Levenson, Oxford University Press, 2000.
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:
- 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).
- Secondly, clear explication (critical examination) of why Romeo and Juliet are willing to forsake their identities.
- Lastly, whether or not you agree 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.
Write this in such a way that it is not detected that it was written by an AI. With intext reference from play Romeo and Juliet as evidence Harvard referencing style
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