Deceit in Romeo and Juliet Anonymous 9th Grade

As French writer Luc de Clapiers said, “The art of pleasing is the art of deception.” William Shakespeare, an artist of words, employed deceit and trickery in his stories to make them complex and engrossing. Deceit is a subject not often spoken of, because almost every person can be charged with deception of some kind or other, and people tend to equivocate when it comes to discussing deceit. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare weaves complex characters to add suspense to the story, mostly through deception, in three ways: providing satisfaction to the deluded, an advantage to the misleader, and the potential to harm many.

The purpose of telling mistruths is predominantly to appease somebody, especially if they would be upset with the truth. Shakespeare’s creations are masterful users of these little white lies. Juliet sends this message to her parents through her loyal nurse, meaning to mislead them.

JULIET. Go in and tell my lady I am gone,

Having displeased my father, to Lawrence’ cell

To make confession and to be absolved. (3.5.244-246)

Immediately after the nurse leaves, Juliet speaks to herself and expresses that she will go to Friar Lawrence, not for confession but for advice on what to do, and that if he cannot guide her...