Juliet's Eulogy - I would love your help.

[Kate.]

I have an english assignment to compose and speak a eulogy for Romeo or Juliet from a character in the plays point of view. I have chosen to do it for Juliet, from her mother's point of view.

Here is what I have so far. I hope to build up the headings and add alot more to it, but Im having a bit of a brain freeze! It needs to be about 4-6 mins long.

"I welcome you all to this sad place, to say goodbye to my dear daughter Juliet. Juliet was born in this city of Verona 13 years ago, and thus will be the place she rests forever.

Juliet was the best daughter a mother could ask for. A very obedient child, yet very strong in her devotion to love. The only time she disobeyed her parent’s wishes was for her devotion to her husband Romeo.

Juliet always shed light in a dim situation. Her death has brought two families together.

I remember clearly the days I took dear Juliet into town. She would always treat other citizens as equals, which is not expected of someone of Juliet’s status."

Thank you for your help!

[RobinHood3000]

Hmm...I assume you have creative license with this assignment -- perhaps you could come up with some fictional anecdotes from Juliet's childhood? Those should get your creative juices flowing and add considerable length to your presentation. Also, if you're presenting aloud, feel free to add a heartfelt sniffle or two in there.

You might want to de-generalize some of the statements, though. They sound a bit formal for a woman whose daughter just died. For example, "Her death has brought two families together," you could make specific reference, like "Her death brought our families together," and even gesture to half the roof. Otherwise, it's not bad.

[a_blessyou]

A few ideas about how to extend your eulogy...

Juliet was the best daughter a mother could ask for. A very obedient child, yet very strong in her devotion to love. The only time she disobeyed her parent’s wishes was for her devotion to her husband Romeo.

You might want to re think Lady Capulet's opinions of Juliet's relationship with Romeo. Their deaths did bring about peace between the families, but does Lady Capulet feel any regret that her daughter was unable to be honest with her? Does she feel any responsibility for what happened, given that she was as much a part of the feud as any other family member? Just things to think about...

Juliet always shed light in a dim situation. Her death has brought two families together.

Again, is there a sense of regret that this couldn't have happened sooner?

I remember clearly the days I took dear Juliet into town. She would always treat other citizens as equals, which is not expected of someone of Juliet’s status."

Be careful here, you are going outside of what is in the text. Is there any evidence that this happened in the play? Best to use the information that is given to you rather than create stuff, I think. Also, Juliet's first introduction to society would have probably been the party we see in the play, she wouldn't have done the shopping or things like that, it would have all been done for her. Maybe a comment about how excited she was about the party and meeting all the people she had always heard about but never actually met would be more appropriate.

In general, I would say use what is in the text. Is Lady Capulet upset that she got angry at Juliet for not wanting to marry Paris? Does she now understand and see her error in not listening to Juliet, not inquiring more about her apprehension?

Best of luck with your assignment, I hope this is helpful.