Marriage In Romeo And Juliet

Marriage can be an incredible thing between two people, however getting to that point can be difficult. Some people may be ready for marriage tomorrow, while others may never be ready at all. In the case of Juliet, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet Capulet is prepared for marriage. Although her husband Romeo may not have been ready, the young girl shows readers that she is fully equipped for the life-long commitment of marriage. This is proven as Juliet’s character is revealed, showing that she is smart and mature, as well as that marriage with Romeo is what she wanted in her heart, and that her love for Romeo could only be classified as true love. Juliet’s mentality is much older than her age of “not [yet] fourteen years” (Iii9),

Not many young people are aware of the phases of the moon, however not only is Juliet aware of them, she is also clever enough to understand them. When confessing their love to each other, Juliet does not want Romeo to swear on the moon, because she knows it is constantly changing: “Swear not by the moon/ That monthly changes” (IIii109-110). She additionally makes references to mythology further proving her intelligence when she speaks of “Phoebus” and “Phaeton”. (IIIii2-3) In the famous scene of “‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy…” (IIii38) Juliet once again shows her advanced knowledge. She understands that it is not Romeo himself that is her enemy, simply what his name represents. She speaks of how names are not “[a] hand… nor any… part belonging to a man” (IIii41-42), simply a word. When in a relationship, it’s a requirement to be able to communicate properly, and be mature enough to do so. Juliet proves her ability to express herself with her use of oxymorons after Romeo slays her cousin. “Fiend angelical,” (IIIii77) she spoke about him. She was able to sort out how she felt using her words and say what she

Before meeting Romeo, when asked about marriage she had no wish to partake in it: “It is an honor that I dream not of” (Iiii66). When she met Romeo however, she became prepared because he was the one she wanted to be with. She would not have been prepared to marry Paris because she did not chose him, did not love him like she loved Romeo. Juliet was the one who suggested marriage. The two lovers were deeply in love, but it was Juliet who had the idea of getting married. In the balcony scene Romeo was expressing his love for her, wanting to exchange ‘I love you’s, it was not until Juliet said, “If… thy bent of love be honorable/Thy purpose marriage”