Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development

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# First Impressions & Character Development

English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 3.2.1

## First Impressions of Juliet

Juliet is 13 years old. Juliet starts as an immature child and acts rashly at times, but also displays good judgment as the play goes on.

### Obedient

![Obedient](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/1ff80e40-e716-4906-bcf1-3f6bc6d44cac/shutterstock_637300582.jpg)

- At the start of the play, Juliet is an obedient child who listens to her parents.
- In A1 S3, she actually speaks very little during a conversation about her potential future husband – Lady Capulet and the Nurse talk for the majority of the conversation. This highlights how quiet and obedient Juliet is at this point.

### Hints of strength

![Hints of strength](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/e704691d-26a6-4ff8-b2cc-51ef86576997/shutterstock_671878867.jpg)

- When Lady Capulet and the Nurse are talking about how handsome Paris is, and Lady Capulet tells Juliet to marry him because he’s very rich, Juliet says, **'I’ll look to like, if looking liking move'**. 
- This suggests that Juliet is actually quite a strong person. She does not agree to the match immediately but tells her mother she will think about it. 
- But she also suggests that she will do her best to like Paris if her parents really want her to marry him. So she is still very much obedient.

## Juliet's Rebellious Nature

In A1 S5, Juliet **changes** when she meets Romeo.

### Defies her parents

![Defies her parents](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/2f5e98b2-2d2d-48e5-8406-994af0b17acb/shutterstock_185021132.jpg)

- By Act 2, she has made the decision to go against her parents’ wishes, and go against societal expectations, to marry the enemy of her family – Romeo, a Montague. 
- She swears that if Romeo cannot stop being a Montague, she will stop being a Capulet as long as he loves her (**'be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet'**).

### Response to marrying Paris

![Response to marrying Paris](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/20b42752-c6b0-4a7b-9a78-75d1ecd35768/shutterstock_319475243.jpg)

- The audience sees her defiant (rebellious) nature again in A3 S5 when Lord Capulet tells her she will marry Paris on Thursday or he will disown her (stop calling her his daughter) – Juliet responds that she would rather die than marry him.

## Maturation of Juliet

Juliet shows her changing maturity and sexual maturity through her relationship with Romeo.

### Recognises rashness

![Recognises rashness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a693ac0e-b738-4f50-8693-ac2fbaf2f7fb/shutterstock_541908742.jpg)

- In Act 2, she shows that she is more mature than Romeo because she sees that their desire to be together is **'too rash, too unadvis’d, too sudden'**. 
- You could see this quote as foreshadowing (warning about the future). Juliet may be warning of the terrible consequences they will face because of how quickly they fall in love and marry.

### Weak points

![Weak points](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/3aa9ba80-5311-40a0-943d-2be75ab8f4f2/shutterstock_608007587.jpg)

- But Juliet still falls in love with Romeo. They continue to plan their life together and say they love each other.
- By the end of A2 S2, it is actually Juliet who suggests marriage. She asks Romeo to send a message to her if **'thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage'**.
- In Act 3, Juliet is still quite naïve (shows her lack of experience and wisdom) at the beginning. She obsesses over her love for Romeo and ignores the potential consequences of their families finding out that they are married.

### Sexual maturity

![Sexual maturity](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b170c4f0-08a8-4367-a25c-2e88106ae8c0/shutterstock_416197714.jpg)

- Juliet also shows a growing sense of sexual maturity. 
- She waits for Romeo to return so they can enjoy their wedding night together – **'I have bought the mansion of a love, but not possess’d it'**.

## Test yourself on First Impressions & Character Development

- Why does Lady Capulet want Juliet to marry Paris?
- What does Juliet's response to Lady Capulet's suggestion that she marry Paris (_'I’ll look to like, if looking liking move'_) show about her?
- What does Juliet swear she will do if Romeo cannot stop being a Montague?
- How does Juliet disobey her parents?
- What does Lord Capulet say he will do if Juliet doesn't marry Paris?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/00f70050-30ed-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/section/1d440af0-326e-11e8-b73a-2101f7e1fdc5/session)

- Previous topic: [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md)
- Next topic: [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet contents

### 1 Context
- 1.1 Context
  - [1.1.1 Tragedy & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-1-tragedy-and-setting.md)
  - [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md)
  - [1.1.3 Religion & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate.md)
  - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md)
  - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-era.md)
  - [1.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-location.md)

### 2 Plot Summary
- 2.1 Prologue
  - [2.1.1 Prologue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-1-1-prologue.md)
- 2.2 Act 1
  - [2.2.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.2.2 Scene 1 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-2-scene-1-quotes.md)
  - [2.2.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-3-scene-2.md)
  - [2.2.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-4-scene-3.md)
  - [2.2.5 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-5-scene-4.md)
  - [2.2.6 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-6-scene-5.md)
  - [2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-7-end-of-topic-test-prologue-and-act-1.md)
- 2.3 Act 2
  - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-1-scenes-1-2.md)
  - [2.3.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-2-scene-3.md)
  - [2.3.3 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-3-scene-4.md)
  - [2.3.4 Scenes 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-4-scenes-5-6.md)
  - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2.md)
- 2.4 Act 3
  - [2.4.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.4.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-2-scene-2.md)
  - [2.4.3 Scenes 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-3-scenes-3-4.md)
  - [2.4.4 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-4-scene-5.md)
  - [2.4.5 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-5-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md)
- 2.5 Act 4
  - [2.5.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.5.2 Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-2-scenes-2-3.md)
  - [2.5.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-3-scenes-4-5.md)
- 2.6 Act 5
  - [2.6.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.6.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-2-scene-2.md)
  - [2.6.3 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-3-scene-3.md)
  - [2.6.4 Scene 3 - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-4-scene-3-quotes.md)
  - [2.6.5 End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-5-end-of-topic-test-acts-4-and-5.md)
  - [2.6.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-drugs.md)
  - [2.6.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-knowing-about-the-wed.md)
  - [2.6.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-order-of-deaths.md)

### 3 Key Characters
- 3.1 Romeo
  - [3.1.1 First Impressions & Juliet's Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-1-first-impressions-and-juliets-effect.md)
  - [3.1.2 Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-2-character-development.md)
  - [3.1.3 Reactions & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-3-reactions-and-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-age.md)
  - [3.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-banishment.md)
  - [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md)
- 3.2 Juliet
  - [3.2.1 First Impressions & Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development.md)
  - [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md)
  - [3.2.3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-3-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-romeo-and-juliet.md)
  - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-real-people.md)
  - [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md)
- 3.3 Mercutio
  - [3.3.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation.md)
  - [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md)
- 3.4 The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt
  - [3.4.1 The Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-1-the-nurse.md)
  - [3.4.2 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-2-benvolio.md)
  - [3.4.3 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-3-tybalt.md)
- 3.5 Friar Laurence
  - [3.5.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-1-characterisation.md)
  - [3.5.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-2-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-mercutio-nurse-and-benvolio.md)
  - [3.5.4 End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-4-end-of-topic-test-tybalt-and-friar-laurence.md)
  - [3.5.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-what-is-a-friar.md)
- 3.6 Grade 9 - Key Characters
  - [3.6.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-1-grade-9-key-characters.md)
  - [3.6.2 Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-2-grade-9-key-characters-extract-analysis.md)

### 4 Key Themes & Concepts
- 4.1 Power & Danger of Love
  - [4.1.1 Romeo's Loves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-1-romeos-loves.md)
  - [4.1.2 Friendship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-2-friendship-and-family.md)
  - [4.1.3 Violent Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-3-violent-love.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md)
- 4.2 Violence, Fate & Gender
  - [4.2.1 Violence, Conflict & Suicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide.md)
  - [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md)
  - [4.2.3 Fate & Destiny](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-3-fate-and-destiny.md)
  - [4.2.4 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-4-gender.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-violence-fate-and-gender.md)
  - [4.2.6 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-6-grade-9-key-themes.md)
  - [4.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-type-of-play.md)

### 5 Writing Techniques
- 5.1 Writing Techniques
  - [5.1.1 Language, Rhythm & Rhyme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-1-language-rhythm-and-rhyme.md)
  - [5.1.2 Symbolism & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-2-symbolism-and-imagery.md)
  - [5.1.3 Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-3-dramatic-irony-and-soliloquys.md)
  - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md)
  - [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md)

### 6 Recap: Main Quotes
- 6.1 Main Quotes by Act
  - [6.1.1 Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1.md)
  - [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md)
  - [6.1.3 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-3-act-3.md)
  - [6.1.4 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-4-act-4.md)
  - [6.1.5 Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-5-act-5.md)
- 6.2 Main Quotes by Character
  - [6.2.1 Romeo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-1-romeo.md)
  - [6.2.2 Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-2-juliet.md)
  - [6.2.3 Mercutio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-3-mercutio.md)
  - [6.2.4 Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-4-friar-laurence.md)
  - [6.2.5 Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-5-nurse.md)
  - [6.2.6 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-6-benvolio.md)
  - [6.2.7 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-7-tybalt.md)