Discuss the relationship between parents and their children in Romeo and Juliet

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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
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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 ...

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