Romeo And Juliet Duty Quotes

Countless humans are dutied to honor their families and loved ones around them. However, obligations to others become problematic when strong emotions involve themselves. The classic tale or, better, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet observes star-crossed love between two characters separated by an age-old feud. The drama has had its verses recited for centuries and withstands the test of time with its epic monologues and iconic sonnets. In the play, the protagonists and their loved ones face the enduring moral decision between family and themselves, often ending up in life-and-death situations. Through a raw, endearing romance, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet illustrates the concept of duty through the perspectives of love and hatred.

At the end of Act 3, Juliet says, “I will not marry yet, and when I do I swear / It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, / Rather than Paris. These are news indeed!” (3.5.126-128). William Shakespeare uses irony in this quote to develop Juliet's sense of duty to her parents by marrying Count Paris. When she describes Romeo to her mother as someone she knows Juliet hates, dramatic irony is imposed upon readers as we know that Juliet is merely acting as if she hates Romeo for killing Tybalt. Lady Capulet falls for her wordplay and thinks Juliet would marry Romeo over Paris when, in reality, Juliet is hinting at her relationship with the young Montague. That illustrates Juliet's obligations to her family through the lens of love, as she pretends that she agrees with her family about Romeo to appease their expectations and evade punishment. Occurring shortly after, another example of duty developed through Juliet's forced marriage with Paris is when Juliet says, “Is she not proud? Doth she not give us thanks? Doth she not count her blessed, / Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought / So worthy a gentleman to be her bride?” (3.5.148-150). In Scene Five of Act Three, Juliet's intentions of not marrying Count Paris become apparent to her father. In this quote, Lord Capulet marvels at Juliet's ungratefulness since he believes Paris is the perfect man for her to marry. That connects to Juliet's identity, specifically as a woman in society. Her family believes Juliet's sole purpose is to marry into a good family. Here, Juliet's duty to her family conflicts with her duty as a woman, as she wishes to pursue love despite circumstances prohibiting her from doing so. Later in this scene, Lord Capulet expresses his anger at his daughter for defying his orders and gives her an ultimatum. He tells her that if she does not marry Paris, the Capulets will disown her,