Discuss the relationship between parents and their children in Romeo and Juliet
Simran LotayDiscuss the relationship between parents and their children in Romeo and Juliet Within the play Romeo and Juliet, there many examples of conflicts between the Parental figures and their offspring. It is a repeating and important theme throughout the play and helps to explain some of the characters actions. At the beginning of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is seen walking through 'the grove of sycamore' looking troubled. Even when his 'kinsman', Benvolio approached him he was 'ware'. Romeo's mother, Montague, is worried about him, as 'many a morning hath he there been seen'. Recently Romeo has been depressed, he has made himself an 'artificial night' and neither of his parents have found the cause. Montague says 'I neither know it, nor can i learn it'. This implies that he doesn't have a good relationship with his son and Romeo doesn't feel as if he can tell his parents such important things that make him 'lock fair daylight out'. However, this is a somewhat typical relationship between teenage boys and their parents. The Montague’s are concerned about their sons well being, Lady Montague enquires 'O where is Romeo?' and she is pleased to hear he was not involved in the recent 'fray' between the Montague’s and Capulets, and Montague has noticed and observed Romeo's 'Black and portentous humour'. This shows the Montague’s are caring, but are incapable of finding out what is the matter, as they are not emotionally
close enough to Romeo for him to feel able to confide in them. This may be Shakespeare commenting on the behavior of adolescent males, as teenage boys do not often openly talk about their feelings, especially with their parents. Throughout the play, Romeo does not give reasons for his happiness or sorrow to his parents but rather shares his joys and troubles with Benvolio and the Friar, whom he also seeks advice from on important matters such as his confusion about his love for Juliet, he also confides in the Friar about 'feasting with mine enemy', the Capulets. Romeo does ...
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close enough to Romeo for him to feel able to confide in them. This may be Shakespeare commenting on the behavior of adolescent males, as teenage boys do not often openly talk about their feelings, especially with their parents. Throughout the play, Romeo does not give reasons for his happiness or sorrow to his parents but rather shares his joys and troubles with Benvolio and the Friar, whom he also seeks advice from on important matters such as his confusion about his love for Juliet, he also confides in the Friar about 'feasting with mine enemy', the Capulets. Romeo does seem distant from his Parents. However, this may be due to his own choices. He is an adolescent male who is making the transition from childhood to adulthood. Romeo may feel as if he needs to be independent from his parents. He also feels as if it was 'child'st' for pining over Rosaline, which was the reason he was upset. This shows that he believes he has grown up since his period of infatuation with Rosaline. Romeo's parents views do not seem to have rubbed off on Romeo. He thinks for himself and does not have a blind hate for the Capulets, as Tybalt does for the Montague's. Romeo is even prepared to 'deny thy farther and refuse thy name', he even describes his name as 'hateful'. This shows that Romeo's parents have not managed to inspire Romeo into following their beliefs, which could mean that Romeo does not seem to revere them, or think of them as influential figures in his life. The fact that Montague and Lady Montague play such short roles in the play, may also be an indication of how important they are. Within the play, neither the Capulet nor Montague parents seem to be particularly close to their offspring. Both Romeo and Juliet choose to turn to an alternative source of council. For Romeo it is the Friar, and Juliet's prevailing mothering figure is her nurse, rather that her biological mother. This could be a comment on the way Parents behaved in those days; however it could also be a description of the tendencies of teenagers to turn to others instead of their parents. The nurse seems to be much more of a maternal figure to Juliet than her own mother. The nurse refers to Juliet as 'lamb' and 'ladybird' which are obviously terms of endearment, and she goes as far as saying Juliet was 'prettiest babe I ever nursed'. In contrast with this, Juliet refers to her mother in a very formal way, calling her 'madam'. This tells the reader that Juliet's relationship with her mother is distant as they have not yet passed the boundaries of formalities, though Juliet seems willing to listen to her; 'I am here, what is your will?'. The conversations between the nurse and Juliet are very open. The nurse always feels open to give advice and show her feelings to Juliet, for example, the nurse talks of Paris' looks with Juliet; 'A man, young lady! Lady, such a man as the entire world. Why, he's a man of wax.' This implies that the nurse and Juliet have a close friendly relationship, and talk about Juliet's problems as close friends would. Perhaps the most convincing proof of the nurse's affection for Juliet is that she agrees to betray her employers and 'find Romeo, to comfort' Juliet. This is the extent she is willing to go to, in order to grant Juliet her happiness. The nurse also stands up for Juliet over her Employers; 'You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so'. The shows the audience where the nurse's allegiances' lie, and show her loyalty is to Juliet not the Capulets. Juliet is still seen by her parents as a small child, incapable of make important decisions for herself. However they believe that Juliet should 'think of marriage now'. Surely if they believe Juliet to be of a suitable age to marry, it would logically follow that she has the integrity to choose her husband for herself. At the time people 'younger than' Juliet were 'already made mothers.' This implies to the audience that Juliet's parents are being unnecessarily protective, as other girls her age are able to choose their husbands, and the Capulets obviously do not trust their daughters judgement. Lady Capulet herself was 'mother much upon these years', she was able to choose Old Capulet and start her family. Juliet's relationship with her farther doesn't seem to be the most open and free. Old Capulet believes Juliet ' will be rul'd in all aspects by me'. He doesn't seem to be worried that marriage 'is an honour' Juliet 'dreams not of'. Capulet has already agreed to 'make a desperate tender' and give Paris Juliet's hand in marriage, without any consultancy with Juliet. Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris as he is a 'valiant' 'Noble earl'. The way Capulet deals with Juliet when she swears ' I will not marry yet', shows the characters true colours. Capulet calls his own daughter 'unworthy' and threatens to 'drag thee on a hurdle thither out'. He continues to throw abuse at her, calling her a 'green-sickness carrion' and tells her 'out you baggage! You tallow face!'. In his rage, Capulets 'fingers itch', and he comes close to striking at his only daughter. One rebellion from Juliet, who is usually an obeying daughter, against her parents caused her farther to curse at her and deny her 'what is mine'. This shows how little Capulet values his daughters opinion, even when it only concerns matters of her own. Capulets out burst shows him to be unreasonable and short tempered. It also shows that Juliet and her fathers relationship could not have been very strong in the first place, for it to be broken over a single argument. It could be suggested that Old Capulet contributed to the death of his daughter, because of his poor relationship with her, and inability to compromise. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, I believe Shakespeare is trying to comment, through the actions and relationships portrayed in the play, on how very often the younger generation does not see eye to eye with the old. The ancient family feud does not mean anything to neither Romeo nor Juliet, as their love has surpassed it. The play also highlights the behavior of teenagers and makes it possible to see how similar the behavior of teenagers today is with how teenagers acted in the time of Shakespeare.