Most of the characters in Romeo and Juliet fail to deal with their problems. Unlike Romeo, Juliet must choose between her family and Romeo. This decision is not made blindly. To choose her family would mean that she must marry Paris and denounce (renounce) her love for Romeo. However, she chooses Romeo, a decision that leaves her to fend for herself. By remaining true to her heart, regardless of the consequences, Juliet proves to be braver than any of the other characters in the play.
As the play progresses, Juliet
makes a number of important decisions. She falls in love, gets married,
is shunned by her family, and finally kills herself. After experiencing
all these things, it is impossible for her to remain as innocent as she
once was. Her loss of innocence leads to her downfall. Had she hated Romeo
because he is a Montague, as her family did, she would have married Paris
and lived a happy, sheltered life. Instead, she realized that she loved
Romeo in spite of his name. It was this love that caused her death.
A very pointed and suggestive reading.
I get a bit confused at the end, as you suggest her loss of innocence is
what destroys her, yet also suggest that the corrupt world around her is
what killed her. This is a matter of some importance! Still,
on the whole this is a thoughtful and well-focused response. 9.0