Juliets relationship with her father in Act 3 scene 5

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What do we learn about Juliet’s relationship with her father from Act 3 scene 5?

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set during the Elizabethan period. During this period, daughters had to marry according to their father’s wishes. This was a Patriarchal Society. The father would decide the husband because he thought his choice would be suitable. It was unheard of for women to refuse marriage, but if they did, they would face being disowned by their family and would have nowhere to go. I don’t think the Elizabethan period was fair. Women were considered to be ‘inferior’. They were controlled by their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. They couldn’t have opinions, views or even a job. Basically, they were not allowed to live their own lives.

At the start of the play when Paris first asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage, Capulet seems to be trying to put him off. He replies to Paris’ suit by saying “My child is yet a stranger in the world; She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.” He is telling Paris that Juliet is still very young. The average age for marriage during the Elizabethan period was 19-20 years old and Juliet was just 14.    Capulet is unsure: we can see this when he tells Paris “And too soon marr’d are those so early made.” He is suggesting that when a girl gets married so young, later in life they could be psychologically and physically affected. We get the impression that maybe his own wife, Lady Capulet was married young or maybe a previous bride of Capulet, and so he is showing he does care for Juliet and does not want anything to happen to her. Although Capulet is not sure about Paris’ suit, he does not know if he will ever find another man as perfect as Paris, so his emphasis is very much on delaying thoughts of marriage rather than putting Paris off completely.

By the end of Act 3 scene 4 however, Capulet has changed his mind about Paris’ proposal. The reason why is unclear, although we think it may be because of Tybalts death. Capulet could be trying to cheer everyone up, including Juliet. This idea is put across when Capulet says “Of my child’s love: I think she will be ruled in all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not.” He is contradicting himself here, in Act 1 scene 2 Capulet seems to be putting off a wedding. Has Tybalts’ death changed his mind?    Capulet suggests Juliet will be happy about Paris’ proposal because he thinks she is upset about Tybalts’ death, and that getting married will take her mind off it and cheer her up. However, we know she is really upset about Romeo’s banishment to Mantua. We also know that she will not be able to get married because she is secretly married to Romeo, so it would be illegal, not to mention eternally damning, to marry again.    Capulet now shows affection to Paris by saying “Acquaint her here of my son Paris’ love.” By saying “my son” Capulet is showing he approves of Paris and is sure there will be a marriage very soon.    

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Lady Capulet’s feelings about the marriage are quite clear. She wants Juliet to be happy but she knows she won’t be if she marries Paris. This shows us that Lady Capulet cares for Juliet. She has secretly sided with Juliet, but she is also doing everything Capulet tells her to including “Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed,
prepare her, wife, against this wedding day.” Here, Capulet is telling Lady Capulet to go to Juliet before she goes to bed and tell her she is to marry Paris. Lady Capulet does this the following morning.    As I ...

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