Topic > Parental love in Romeo and Juliet

IndexParents Capulet and MontagueThe impact on Romeo and JulietWider implicationsConclusionBibliographyWilliam Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, is a tragic love story that explores various themes, including the powerful force of parental love. Throughout the play, parental love is depicted as both a source of comfort and guidance and a restrictive force that ultimately leads to tragedy. This essay will delve into the different aspects of parental love in Romeo and Juliet, examining the roles of parents Capulet and Montague, the impact of their actions on the young lovers, and the broader implications of this theme. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Parents Capulet and Montague Parental love in Romeo and Juliet is mainly represented by the parents Capulet and Montague, who play a significant role in the lives of their respective children. Lord and Lady Capulet are Juliet's parents, while Lord and Lady Montague are Romeo's parents. Both sets of parents have good intentions for their children, but their actions and decisions ultimately lead to tragedy. Lord Capulet, Juliet's father, is initially described as a loving and protective father. In Act 1, Scene 2, he insists that Paris wait two years before marrying Juliet, indicating that he wants to ensure that his daughter is mature enough for marriage. However, as the play progresses, Lord Capulet's love for Juliet becomes overshadowed by his desire for social status and the feud between Capulet and Montague. In Act 3, Scene 5, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lord Capulet becomes angry, disowning her and threatening to disown her if she does not obey his wishes. This drastic change in his behavior reveals the restrictive nature of parental love. Likewise, Lord Montague's love for Romeo is evident in his concern for his son's well-being. In Act 1, scene 1, he expresses his concern about Romeo's melancholy to Benvolio. However, Lord Montague's love for his son is overshadowed by the feud between the two families. This is evident when he commands Benvolio to find out the reason for Romeo's sadness, stating, "I would you were so glad to stay to hear the true word" (1.1.142-143). Lord Montague's actions, driven by the desire to resolve the feud, inadvertently contribute to the tragedy that befalls Romeo and Juliet. Overall, the Capulet and Montague parents' love for their children is initially portrayed as genuine, but becomes distorted and restrictive due to external factors. The Impact on Romeo and Juliet The love of the parents in Romeo and Juliet has a significant impact on the lives of the young lovers. Juliet's relationship with her parents is characterized by a lack of understanding and communication, leading her to seek comfort and guidance from other sources. Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet, cannot understand her daughter's desires and emotions. In Act 1, Scene 3, when Lady Capulet discusses the possibility of marriage with Juliet, she says: “Married, that 'married' is the very theme I came to talk about. Tell me, daughter Juliet, what is your disposition to get married? (1.3.67-69). This interaction highlights the disconnect between mother and daughter, as Lady Capulet sees marriage as a social obligation rather than a matter of personal choice and love. The lack of a loving parental relationship pushes Juliet to seek Romeo's love and understanding. Romeo's relationship with his parents is also strained, although to a lesser extent. His love for Juliet leads him to defy his parents' wishes and pursue a forbidden relationship., 2000.