Parent-Child Relationships In Romeo And Juliet

In "Romeo and Juliet" Shakespeare uses parent/child relationships to show how two different types of parenting influence the choices the young teens make. Although Romeo's relationship with his parents is not focused on much of the play it can still be said he has a fair relationship with them. Unlike Romeo, Juliet's relationship with her parents is more focused on during the play. Romeo has a fair relationship with his parents it seems to be distant, but his parents also show concerns about him. At the beginning of the play, Lord and Lady Montague show concern for the well-being of Romeo. Lady Montague shows these concerns by asking Benvolio "O, where is Romeo? Saw you him to-day? Right glad I am he was not at this fray" (Rom.1.1.106-107). This is showing that Romeo's mother is worried about where he is and is showing she cares about him and his whereabouts. Also, in the play, Romeo's father shows concern about his mental health because he has observed a change in Romeo's behavior. Lord Montague goes on in the play, to say "… to himself so secret and so close, so far from sounding and

Juliet seems to be very close to the nurse rather than her mother and her father seems to only be interested in Juliet marrying soon. Juliet decides to be rebellious and go against her father's wishes by declaring, "I will not marry yet; and when I do, I swear, it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris" (Rom 3.5.121-123). Juliet is then confronted by her father who threatens to disown her if she does not listen to his commands and marry Paris. Since they prevail in a Patriarchal, society Juliet must listen to him, which is why she must fake her death to try and get out of the marriage. Juliet's parents love her and only want what they suppose is best for her and evidence of this is shown when they find Juliet's dead body and both face