Juliet

Much can be learned about Shakespeare's Juliet from the text of the play. Capulet describes her as "yet a stranger in the world" (1.2.8) and she is not yet fourteen years old, as seen in "She hath not seen the change of fourteen years" (1.2.9). This implied naivete due to her age and situation is often focused on by players of Juliet. Holland also notes that "Juliet...as a young unmarried woman, is firmly kept indoors" (Holland. 38) and that she even needs permission to go to Friar Laurence for confession, as the nurse asks her "Have you got leave to go to shrift today?" (2.5.66).
However, further in the play, in becomes obvious that Juliet is strong-minded, has firm beliefs and is willing to act against the wishes of her father. Holland notes that though "Shakespeare's Juliet may be younger ...she has an intelligence and maturity Brooke and Painter did not allow for" (Holland. 43). …