The One and Only Juliet: The Humanity of Young Noblewomen in Shakespeare’s Play

Abstract

Feminist critics have made many innovative elaborations of the plays of Shakespeare, the most excellent writer of the Renaissance, expanding the interpretations of the various performances of his female characters. Romeo and Juliet is considered one of the most famous works of his writing career, which tells a romantic and tragic story from two young Italians in feudal times. However, Romeo and Juliet emphasizes more on the influence of inner experience on human choices as a tragedy. Despite the heroine lives in the Middle Ages, her willingness for love and personality liberation breaks the stereotype of women as weak and submissive. Therefore, this paper will explore Shakespeare’s rewriting of the image of Juliet as a medieval noble lady and analyze her unique humanism and desire for spiritual freedom.