Romeo and JulietRead the following extract from the start of Act 3 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet and thenanswer the question that follows.At this point in the play Capulet discusses Juliet’s marriage with Paris.CAPULETSir Paris, I will make a desperate tenderOf my child’s love. I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me. Nay, more, I doubt it not.—Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed.Acquaint her here of my son Paris’ love,And bid her—mark you me?—on Wednesdaynext—But soft, what day is this?PARIS Monday, my lord.CAPULETMonday, ha ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon.O’ Thursday let it be.—O’ Thursday, tell her,She shall be married to this noble earl.—Will you be ready? Do you like this haste?We’ll keep no great ado: a friend or two.For hark you, Tybalt being slain so late,It may be thought we held him carelessly,Being our kinsman, if we revel much.Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends,And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?PARISMy lord, I would that Thursday were tomorrow.CAPULETWell, get you gone. O’ Thursday be it, then.To Lady Capulet. Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed.Prepare her, wife, against this wedding day.—Farewell, my lord.—Light to my chamber, ho!—Afore me, it is so very late that weMay call it early by and by.—Good night.Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriageRomeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in the play as a whole
Question
Romeo and JulietRead the following extract from the start of Act 3 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet and thenanswer the question that follows.At this point in the play Capulet discusses Juliet’s marriage with Paris.CAPULETSir Paris, I will make a desperate tenderOf my child’s love. I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me. Nay, more, I doubt it not.—Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed.Acquaint her here of my son Paris’ love,And bid her—mark you me?—on Wednesdaynext—But soft, what day is this?PARIS Monday, my lord.CAPULETMonday, ha ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon.O’ Thursday let it be.—O’ Thursday, tell her,She shall be married to this noble earl.—Will you be ready? Do you like this haste?We’ll keep no great ado: a friend or two.For hark you, Tybalt being slain so late,It may be thought we held him carelessly,Being our kinsman, if we revel much.Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends,And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?PARISMy lord, I would that Thursday were tomorrow.CAPULETWell, get you gone. O’ Thursday be it, then.To Lady Capulet. Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed.Prepare her, wife, against this wedding day.—Farewell, my lord.—Light to my chamber, ho!—Afore me, it is so very late that weMay call it early by and by.—Good night.Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriageRomeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in the play as a whole
Solution
In this extract, Shakespeare presents marriage as a transactional and political tool rather than a union based on love. Capulet views Juliet's marriage to Paris as a desperate tender of his child's love, indicating that he sees it as a business transaction or a deal. He is confident that Juliet will obey his decision, showing the patriarchal nature of the society where fathers had the authority to decide their daughters' fate.
Paris, on the other hand, is eager for the marriage to take place, showing his desire to secure his alliance with the Capulet family. The haste in which the marriage is arranged, with little consideration for Juliet's feelings, further emphasizes the lack of romantic love in this proposed union.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare presents a contrasting view of marriage through the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Their marriage is based on passionate love and mutual consent, a stark contrast to the arranged marriage between Juliet and Paris. However, their secret marriage leads to tragic consequences, suggesting that defying societal norms can lead to disaster.
In the context of the Elizabethan era, when the play was written, marriages were often arranged for social and economic reasons. Shakespeare challenges this convention by portraying a romantic love marriage between Romeo and Juliet, but ultimately shows its tragic end, perhaps suggesting the complexities and challenges of balancing societal norms with personal desires.
Similar Questions
Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer thequestion that follows.At this point in the play Capulet is discussing the proposed marriage of Juliet and Paris.CAPULETAnd too soon marred are those so early made.Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she;She’s the hopeful lady of my earth.But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart;My will to her consent is but a part.And, she agreed, within her scope of choiceLies my consent and fair according voice.This night I hold an old accustomed feast,Whereto I have invited many a guestSuch as I love; and you among the store,One more, most welcome, makes my number more.At my poor house look to behold this nightEarth-treading stars that make dark heaven light.Such comfort as do lusty young men feelWhen well-appareled April on the heelOf limping winter treads, even such delightStarting with this extract, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents attitudes towardsmarriage.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in this extract.• how Shakespeare presents attitudes towards marriage in the play as a whole.
7. In Scene 3, Lady Capulet tells Juliet to consider marriage because*10 pointsA she is much too old to have a nurse.B announcing her engagement will liven up the party.C Paris wants to marry her.D she has just reached the marriageable age.
11. What two reasons make Lord Capulet unwilling to let Paris marry Juliet? (CHECK 2 ANSWERS)*5 pointsJuliet is only 13Juliet is promised to marry RomeoJuliet is going to collegeJuliet is Lord Capulet's only surviving child
What does Juliet's mother ask Juliet to do at the party? aTalk to Tybalt about fighting bAvoid dancing with people cSpy on the Montagues dConsider marrying Paris
Juliet finally agrees to marry Paris because ahe is wealthy bhe is handsome cThe Friar advised her to pretend that she agrees dshe cannot resist her father
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