Deception And Lies In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet '

Ms. Basciano ENG1D1 i

16 May 2023 The Capulets vs. the Montagues

Parents always try to look out for their child's best interest and do what they think is right—maybe even best for them—but what happens when their actions push their child away from doing the opposite of what they want? Sometimes, parents may be in the wrong by enforcing and inflicting certain beliefs or behaviours on their children. From the very beginning, the feud between the Capulet and Montague families has controlled the story by keeping Romeo and Juliet apart. This created distance between the children and their parents which resulted in their deaths. From predetermining their tragic ending, driving deception

Throughout the play, deception and lies have been spread like wildfire to protect and hide Romeo and Juliet's relationship from their families. Romeo and Juliet, find ways to be together despite the feud between these households. By involving Juliet's most trusted servant, the Nurse, and their most trusted friend, Friar Lawrence, they were able to hide their relationship untill the very end. The Capulet and Montague families' feud formed an environment where Romeo and Juliet had to keep their relationship a secret, resulting in the deception and lies they used to tell. From sneaking around to putting on a good show to pretend how much they hated one another, Romeo and Juliet found themselves constantly lying for the sake of their relationship. An example of this is when Friar Lawerance helped Romeo sneak into Juliet's room, and he said, "Go to your love, as you’d arranged, climb up to her chamber; Go and comfort her, but make sure to leave before the night watchmen take their positions" (Sparknotes, pg 125). Eventually, Juliet couldn't handle it anymore; she came to terms with the fact that she couldn't live without Romeo if she was alive because of her impending marriage to Paris and the family feud. She had to fake her own death the night before her wedding day to be with Romeo! Friar Lawerance and Juliet constructed a plan; he told Juliet, "When you are in bed, take this vial and drink down the distilled liquid inside…Then a cold, drowsy fluid will run through your veins, and your pulse will stop" (Sparknotes, pg 151.) This plan was almost perfect. Everyone believed that Juliet was dead, even Romeo! Their parents never forced them to lie about their relationship; the social expectations of their time made it essential for them to keep their love a secret if they wanted their relationship to have a chance. These families' long-lasting feud and