Given the
fact thatis from an opposing and feuding house, Montague, andis a Capulet,
her initial draw to him flies in the face of her self-identity and self-interest and has no
rhyme or reason other than impulse. Indeed, the love is so strong that Juliet cannot help but
act on it in defiance of ramifications, beliefs, and values. This is clear when Juliet, having
only just seen Romeo and learned of his background, declares:
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown and known to
late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me
That I must love a loathed enemy!
(I, v, 136-139)
Such is the power of this impulseit makes
her love whom she should rationally hate and seek whom she should practically avoid.
Being drawn to Romeo in defiance of reason in particular serves to highlight the
impetuosity at the crux of her attraction. This conflict between impulse and reason is clearly
played out in the following quote of Juliet:
I have no joy
of this contract tonight:
It is too...
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