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Romeo And Juliet : The Betrayal Of The Adults To Juliet

Romeo and Juliet - The Betrayal of the Adults to Juliet

 

      In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet the adults betray Juliet because

they are unable to understand her. Juliet's parents, Capulet and Lady

Capulet, fail to understands Juliet's decision not to marry Paris. The

Nurse fails Juliet by not supporting Juliet's decision to remain married to

Romeo. The final adult to fail Juliet is Friar Lawrence who does not

comprehend Juliet and Romeo's love for each other. These misunderstandings

cause the adults to betray Juliet.

 

      The first to betray Juliet is her parents, Capulet and Lady Capulet.

Capulet decides to marry Juliet to Paris. When Juliet refuses to do so

Capulet threatens to disown her. "...you shall not house with me." (III, v,

200) he states. Capulet will only forgive her if she will consent to her

father's decision "...I'll give you to my friend./An you be not hang, beg,

starve, die in the streets." (III, v, 203-204) His wife, upon hearing

Juliet's decision against marrying to Paris, refuses to give Juliet counsel.

"Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word./Do as thou wilt for I have done

with thee." (III, v, 214-215) Lady Capulet is angered by Juliet's choice

and wishes "I would the fool be married to her grave." (III, v, 145)

Juliet's parents betray Juliet by not supporting Juliet's pleas for the

marriage to be delayed a year. Capulet and Lady Capulet do not know Juliet

is married to Romeo, a fact that may have, yet not likely altered these

circumstances. Her parent's betrayal causes Juliet to look for comfort from

the Nurse.

 

      The Nurse also fails to support Juliet's choice against marrying

Paris. Instead of supporting Juliet the Nurse instead believes "I think it

is best you marry the county...For it excels your first (marriage)." (III,

v, 230, 236) Juliet feels betrayed by this reply as the Nurse "...

dispraise my lord...