Adolescence in Romeo and Juliet

Adolescence is the winding dirty path littered with obstacles of change, growth, pressure, guilt, love, regret, loss, fear, ignorance, solitude, hatred, and insecurities. This rocky trail, defined by both peaks and troughs, eventually leads to the smooth pure threshold of maturity. The period of adolescence is characterized by three different stages. The youth typically enters his first stage, the baby phase, at the age of twelve or thirteen. This phase is usually typified by an innocence, a strong dependence on parents, and a general obedience and compliance to rules. The dissenter period is a time of rebellion and vulnerability; youths become self-centered and argumentative. The youth transcends the border of adolescence after entering the leader phase, in which they develop a sense of security, confidence and capability. In Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, love, in essence Romeo, is the guiding force which brings Juliet through these stages of adolescence to the onset of maturity. As she stabs herself with the dagger, she has become a self-assured, capable and loyal woman; ultimately she has come of age. "What is your will?" Juliet replies to her mother’s call. (18, ln 6) Shakespeare first introduces us to Juliet in her most innocent and sheltered form, her baby phase. She begins the play as an immature naïve character, completely dependent on her parents. Her youthfulness is seen through her childish dealings with marriage. In response to the question of marriage she claims "it is an honor [she] not dreams of." (20, ln 66) Her stance on marriage does not change even as Lady Capulet tells Juliet off Paris’s love for her. As steadfast as she is on the issue of marriage and her disinterest for Paris, however, she agrees to "look to like, if looking liking move." (21, ln 98) Juliet’s response truly exemplifies her adolescence as she does not act independently but rather obeys her mother’s wish. Her immaturity is also portrayed here with her childish concept of