Who Was Juliet Supposed To Marry? The Truth Behind The Arranged Marriage

Lady Capulet tells Juliet that Lord Capulet has arranged her marriage to Paris. Juliet refuses to marry, and her father threatens to disown her. This scene highlights the pressure Juliet faces to marry Paris, even though she is deeply in love with Romeo.

The decision to marry Juliet off to Paris is driven by societal expectations and political maneuvering, with no consideration for Juliet’s personal feelings. In Shakespeare’s time, arranged marriages were common. Parents would typically choose a suitable spouse for their children, often prioritizing family alliances, wealth, and social status over personal preference.

In the play, Lord Capulet sees marrying Juliet to Paris as an opportunity to strengthen his family’s standing in Verona. Paris, a member of a noble family, is a good match for Juliet in terms of social status. Lord Capulet believes this alliance will bring him prestige and influence in the city. He is unaware of Juliet’s feelings for Romeo and considers her refusal to marry Paris as a form of rebellion against his authority. His threat to disown her reflects the power dynamics of the time, where fathers held absolute control over their daughters’ lives, including their marriage.

Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris highlights her determination to choose her own path. She refuses to conform to societal expectations and asserts her right to make her own decisions about her life, even if it means defying her family and risking social disapproval. Her defiance sets the stage for the tragedy to come, where her love for Romeo will clash with the expectations and demands of her family and society.

In Shakespeare’s original story, Romeo is 16 years old and Juliet is 13 years old. This means there’s a three-year age gap between them.

It’s important to remember that the idea of a “normal” age gap in relationships has changed a lot since Shakespeare’s time. Back then, it was actually pretty common for people to get married young, especially women. Even though it might seem shocking to us today, it wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary for a 13-year-old girl to marry a 16-year-old boy.

While we might find the age gap between Romeo and Juliet surprising, it’s also important to remember that they were fictional characters. Shakespeare’s play is a love story, and it’s the intensity of their feelings for each other, not their ages, that really drives the story. The play explores the power of love, even in the face of societal restrictions and family feuds. So while the age difference might make us raise an eyebrow, it’s really the timeless themes of love, passion, and tragedy that make Romeo and Juliet such a powerful and enduring story.

Okay, let’s take a look at why Juliet’s dad, Lord Capulet, wanted her to marry Count Paris.

When Juliet was grieving over Romeo being banished, her father thought her sadness was because of Tybalt’s death. In an attempt to cheer her up, he decided to surprise her by arranging a marriage between her and Count Paris.

The catch? Juliet was expected to obey her father and accept his decision. It’s important to remember that in Shakespeare’s time, fathers had a lot of authority over their daughters. They basically decided who their daughters would marry, and daughters were expected to obey.

Now, why did Lord Capulet want Juliet to marry Paris? Here are a few reasons:

Reputation and Power: A marriage between Juliet and Paris would solidify the Capulets’ status and power in Verona. Paris was a wealthy and influential young man, and a marriage to him would bring prestige and connections to the family.
Family Legacy: Lord Capulet was likely worried about the future of his family. He might have wanted to ensure that his legacy lived on through his daughter’s children, and a marriage to Paris would provide a secure future for Juliet and her potential offspring.
Control: Lord Capulet was a controlling man who wanted to maintain authority over his daughter. A marriage to Paris would give him even more power and influence over her life.

It’s also worth noting that Lord Capulet might have been genuinely concerned about Juliet’s happiness. He could have believed that Paris was a good match for her and that a marriage would help her to move on from Romeo’s banishment. However, his actions ultimately had devastating consequences, as Juliet was forced to make a difficult choice that led to tragedy.

The nurse describes Paris as a man of wax, meaning he’s incredibly handsome. She also enthusiastically agrees with Lady Capulet’s description of him as a flower, highlighting his youthful and delicate beauty.

This description of Paris as a man of wax is meant to evoke a sense of perfection and stillness, like a statue. The comparison suggests that he’s not just physically attractive, but also perhaps a bit distant or unfeeling. It’s important to remember that this description comes from the nurse, who is a somewhat naive and easily impressed character. Her perspective on Paris is likely influenced by her own desire for Romeo and Juliet to be together, and she may be trying to convince herself that Paris is a worthy suitor.

In Shakespeare’s time, wax figures were often used to represent idealized beauty. They were highly prized for their precision and realism, and were often displayed in wealthy homes as a sign of status and good taste. The nurse’s comparison of Paris to a man of wax suggests that he is considered a perfect specimen of manhood, both in terms of his physical appearance and his social standing. It also hints at a sense of artificiality or superficiality, which might be a subtle criticism of Paris’s character.

Romeo and Juliet were teenagers when they died in Shakespeare’s play *Romeo and Juliet*. Juliet was thirteen years old, almost fourteen. We do not know Romeo’s exact age, though he’s treated as a man. However, he’s also described as young, which suggests he was likely a young man. While we don’t have a specific number, Romeo’s age is likely somewhere between fifteen and twenty, or perhaps slightly younger or older.

Shakespeare’s plays were written for an audience that was accustomed to seeing young actors playing adult roles. In Elizabethan theater, it was common practice for young men to play female characters, and the actors playing Romeo and Juliet would likely have been in their late teens or early twenties. It’s important to remember that Shakespeare’s plays were written in a time when the concept of childhood was different from what we understand today. Young people were expected to take on adult responsibilities at a much younger age.

The play doesn’t explicitly state Romeo’s age, but it does provide clues about his maturity and experience. He is described as being “a gentleman of Verona,” which suggests that he is of noble birth and has received a formal education. He is also a skilled swordsman, which indicates that he has been trained in combat.

While we don’t know the exact age of Romeo at his death, his maturity and the way he is depicted in the play suggests that he was likely a young man in his late teens or early twenties. This fits the general themes of the play, which deals with love, passion, and the transition from childhood to adulthood.

We don’t know Mercutio’s exact age in *Romeo and Juliet*. The only character whose age is explicitly stated is Juliet, who is thirteen going on fourteen. Based on her age and the way the characters act, Mercutio and Romeo are probably in their late teens.

While Shakespeare doesn’t explicitly state Mercutio’s age, we can glean some clues from the play itself. Firstly, Mercutio is a close friend of Romeo, who is depicted as a young man, likely in his late teens. They share a similar social circle and engage in activities typical of young adults.

Secondly, Mercutio’s behavior and speech suggest a maturity beyond that of a teenager. He is witty, quick-witted, and engages in philosophical discussions. While youthful exuberance is evident, there’s a certain level of sophistication and worldly experience that hints at someone who’s lived a bit. However, it’s important to remember that Shakespeare’s characters are often exaggerated versions of people. While Mercutio shows maturity, he also possesses a brash and impulsive side, which is common in young men.

The lack of a definitive age for Mercutio adds to the mystery of the character. It allows us to imagine him as we wish, within the parameters set by the play. Perhaps his age is a deliberate omission by Shakespeare, leaving it up to the audience to fill in the gaps based on their own interpretations. This ambiguity adds another layer of richness to the character, making him even more intriguing.

Juliet doesn’t actually want to marry Paris. She’s already married to Romeo, and she’s deeply in love with him. The idea of marrying Paris is completely unacceptable to her. However, she’s facing a difficult situation: her parents have arranged for her to marry Paris, and they’re insistent on the match. She knows that if she refuses, she’ll face serious consequences, possibly even being disinherited or banished from her family.

Here’s why Juliet asks the Nurse for advice: Juliet is in a desperate situation, feeling trapped and alone. She’s seeking guidance from someone she trusts, hoping for a solution that allows her to escape this forced marriage.

The Nurse, unfortunately, is not the best person to offer advice in this situation. She’s more focused on Juliet’s social standing and the practicalities of the marriage than on Juliet’s actual feelings. The Nurse believes that Paris is a good match for Juliet and that Romeo is “gone”, which is simply not true. Juliet, despite her desperation, knows this is not true.

Here’s why Juliet pretends to accept the Nurse’s advice: Juliet is trying to buy time and protect herself. By pretending to agree with the Nurse, she can avoid immediate conflict with her parents. She needs time to figure out a way to escape this situation.

Here’s why Juliet goes to Friar Laurence: Friar Laurence is a trusted advisor and a spiritual leader. Juliet knows he has the wisdom and experience to help her in this predicament. She’s hoping he can find a way to resolve this conflict without her having to resort to drastic measures.

Here’s why Juliet considers suicide: Juliet is facing a seemingly impossible situation. She feels like she has no other options, and she’s desperate to escape the pressure of marrying someone she doesn’t love. The thought of suicide is a reflection of her deep despair and the overwhelming weight of the circumstances she faces.

It’s important to remember that Juliet is a young woman in a patriarchal society. She has very limited agency in her own life, and her choices are constrained by the expectations and rules of the time. She’s fighting for her own happiness and her right to choose her own destiny, but the path forward is fraught with danger.

Okay, let’s take a look at why Capulet wanted to marry Juliet off to Paris.

Paris tells Capulet that Juliet’s grief over Tybalt’s death has made her sad, and that a quick marriage would help her feel better and move on. Capulet, being a wise man, agrees. He thinks a wedding is the best way to help Juliet stop crying and get over her sorrow. The Friar is a bit confused about why the wedding is being rushed, but he doesn’t say anything. He just hopes he knows the reason why Paris and Juliet can’t get married right away.

Now, let’s break down why Capulet might be so eager to marry Juliet off. He was probably worried about her being so sad. You see, in those times, losing a close family member was a really big deal. People were expected to grieve for a long time, and Juliet was clearly struggling. It’s possible that Capulet thought a marriage would give her a new focus, a new reason to be happy, and help her get over Tybalt’s death faster.

There’s another possibility, too. Juliet is a young woman, and in those days, women often got married very young. Capulet might have felt that it was time for Juliet to settle down and start a family of her own. He could have been hoping that marriage would give her a sense of stability and a good future.

It’s also worth noting that Capulet could have been under pressure from Paris and his family. Paris was a wealthy and powerful man, and he was clearly interested in Juliet. Capulet might have felt obligated to agree to the marriage, especially if Paris was willing to offer a good dowry (a gift of money or property given by the bride’s family to the groom).

It’s hard to know exactly what was going through Capulet’s mind, but whatever his reasons, he seemed convinced that a marriage to Paris was the best thing for Juliet at the time.

Romeo and Juliet Act 4: Scenes 1 & 2 Summary & Analysis

Juliet agrees to marry Paris, but secretly drinks a potion to fake her death and elope with Romeo. Friar Lawrence helps Juliet escape her fate and reunite with Romeo in Mantua. SparkNotes

Romeo and Juliet Navigator: Characters: Juliet

When Paris asks Juliet’s father, Capulet, for his daughter’s hand in marriage, Capulet describes his daughter Juliet as “yet a stranger in the world” (1.2.8), not yet fourteen, Shakespeare Navigators

Romeo and Juliet | Summary, Characters, & Facts | Britannica

When Juliet’s father, unaware that Juliet is already secretly married, arranges a marriage with the eminently eligible Count Paris, the young bride seeks out Britannica

Romeo and Juliet – Act 3, scene 4 | Folger Shakespeare Library

In this scene, Paris asks Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage and Capulet promises to arrange a wedding for Thursday. Juliet is not consulted and does not know Folger Shakespeare Library

Romeo and Juliet Plot Summary | Shakespeare Learning Zone

Lord Capulet tells Juliet she must marry a man called Paris, not knowing she is already married. Friar Laurence gives Juliet a potion that will make her appear dead so she does Royal Shakespeare Company | RSC

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – Juliet – Romeo and Juliet

Juliet has a close relationship with her Nurse and trusts her to arrange her secret marriage. Juliet also trusts Friar Lawrence and agrees to his risky plan to fake her own BBC

Summary of Romeo and Juliet | Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Juliet was supposed to marry Paris, but she secretly married Romeo, a Montague, who was her true love. Their tragic fate was sealed by their families’ feud and their own rash actions. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Why do Juliet’s parents arrange her marriage to Paris?

In Romeo and Juliet, why does Juliet’s family want her to marry Paris and not Romeo? From the Capulet’s point of view there are good reasons why they want eNotes.com

A Character Profile of Romeo’s Juliet – ThoughtCo

Juliet is the daughter of Capulet and a potential bride of Paris, but she falls in love with Romeo, the son of their enemy. She defies her family, marries Romeo, and commits suicide to escape a forced ThoughtCo