At the time the play was written, marriage would be seen mainly as an economic contract between two families. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to be married to Paris as ‘thou hast a careful father’ and he ‘hath sorted out a sudden day of joy’. Juliet replies ‘I will not marry yet.’ Lady Capulet describes Juliet as ‘a fool’ and Lord Capulet is surprised ‘doth she not give us thanks?’ Lord Capulet is pleased that Paris is ‘so worthy a gentleman’ and describes Juliet as ‘unworthy’ of Paris. Lord and Lady Capulet clearly believe that they are doing well for their daughter and expect her to be grateful. Juliet asks them to ‘Hear me with patience’ but both her parents are angry that she is disobeying them. Her father calls her ‘young baggage’ and her mother tells her, ‘I have done with thee.’ Neither will listen to Juliet. The Nurse, also an adult, and the one who has cared for Juliet since birth, tries to speak on Juliet’s behalf, ‘May one not speak?’ but she is called a ‘mumbling fool’ by Capulet. Only the Nurse knows of Juliet’s secret marriage. The Nurse’s attitude to Juliet’s marriage with Romeo contrasts with Lord and Lady Capulet’s ideas of what marriage means for Juliet, and for their family. Shakespeare is making the audience think about both attitudes, and also raises the question about which adults show real concern for Juliet. After the argument, the Nurse then decides it would be best for Juliet to marry Paris as Romeo is ‘dead’ to Juliet since his banishment. This shows that the Nurse does always want whatever is best for Juliet but that she is also very practical in her decision making. The family argument clearly shows the differing viewpoints about marriage, love, family roles and society’s expectations.
Romeo and Juliet first fall in love during the masked ball which took place in the Capulet Mansion. When Romeo first sees Juliet, he is completely astounded by her beauty, ‘the brightness of her cheeks would shame those stars’. Without even knowing the name of Juliet, Romeo's eyes take complete control of his heart and mind. He speaks of Juliet and her beauty in grandiose terms, ‘O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright’. He questions whether he has loved before, and realizes that his previous loves have never been genuine, ‘Did my heart love till now?’ He has not even spoken to Juliet, nor does he know her name and so he is in love with her physical features only. Juliet also loves Romeo at first sight and just as Romeo has realised that she is ‘a Capulet’, Juliet discovers that Romeo is a Montague, ‘My only love sprung from my only hate!’ The Chorus at the end of Act 1 reminds the audience how quickly Romeo has changed his mind from one woman to another, ‘Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie’. This emphasises that Romeo is an impetuous character and that he seems to let his emotions rule his actions. Juliet says that ‘It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden’ and yet she agrees to marry Romeo on the day following their first meeting, ‘If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow.’ Their whirlwind marriage shows the disadvantages of Romantic love because they are only concerned with their passion for each other. This is in contrast with Juliet’s parents’ view of marriage as a carefully thought out economic contract but where Juliet is only informed after the decision has been made.
Romeo has respect for Friar Lawrence and he is a father figure towards him. Friar Lawrence had his suspicions that Romeo did not love Rosaline and that it was lust, ‘Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.’ He therefore thought that this was the same case with Juliet. Friar Lawrence thinks it is a good idea to marry Romeo and Juliet because he believes it will stop the feud and ‘turn your households rancour to pure love’. This shows that Friar Lawrence is marrying them because he thinks it will bring about peace between the Montagues and the Capulets. This is true but it will also bring the pain of death before the truce between the two families. The Nurse does not have any real power, but she still assists in the marriage of the couple by carrying out Romeo’s arrangements, ‘she shall be there.’ The Nurse made sure that her encouragement was as secretive as it could be ‘I am the drudge, and toil in your delight,’ here the Nurse feels that she is doing right by being Juliet’s messenger but as we learn, the lovers will end in disaster as they become ‘a pair of star crossed lover’s who take their lives.’
At the time the play was written, religion had an important role in society. The Friar’s role is a symbolic one. In Shakespeare’s time, Friar Lawrence’s view would be respected by the audience because of his authoritative status in the Church. He gives careful advice such as making Romeo and Juliet question if their love will ‘stumble’ because they are rushing by deciding to get married on the day that they meet. Although, the Friar is respected he does break the rules of the Church. That is, he gives Juliet the potion which will make her appear dead. This is against God’s will because they believed that only God can take life, therefore taking Juliet’s life would appear to be taking someone’s life. At the time that the play was written Henry VIII had also broken the rules of the Church. This would have meant that the audience did not criticize the Friar as much because the King of the country had also broken the rules.
The themes of love and marriage are a central focus in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as the play shows that there are many different types and attitudes to love. Shakespeare is trying to illustrate both the traditional, chivalric way of love as well as a reformed modern view on love. This can be seen by the behaviour and language of different characters. At the time, marriage was seen more as an economic contract rather than a bonding between couples who loved each other. Today, marriage focuses more on the relationship between the two people. Shakespeare has shown love and marriage in the play through different characters’ responses to these themes. This could prompt the audience to question and challenge their own views, and those of their society and culture, and to think about these themes for themselves.