Romeo and Juliet is a play set in the late 16th century, about two star crossed lovers in the fair city of Verona. The play centers on the ill-fated love between the children of two warring families of Verona the Capulets and the Montagues. The power Lord Capulet held was such that he could promise Juliet in marriage to any man of his choice, But Juliet finds Romeo and instantly falls in love and not even her father’s power over her could control it. This shows us that even such a tender age Juliet must have been genuinely in love with Romeo because in the 16th century the fathers word was law to his children. Romeo and Juliet's secret marriage is destined to bring tragedy both to the couple and to their families.
At the beginning of the play Juliet portrays herself as benevolent, innocent, obedient and content and will follow any order her mother gives her without question. Lady Capulet asks Juliet to marry Paris Juliet replies
“Ill look to like if looking liking move; but no more deeper will I endart mine eye.”
Juliet shows complete respect to her mother and her wishes and says she will get to know him she shows an open mind to the idea of marriage but I think that she is hiding her real feelings from her mother because she does not want to upset her. Also in the 16th century teenage girls would not disobey their parents’ wishes for fear of being disowned..
Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time at the Capulet’s ball, they fall in love and then Juliet realizes he is a Montague; an enemy of her family. When the Nurse tells Juliet Romeo is a Montague Juliet replies;
“My only love sprung from my only hate!”
Juliet is not trying to hide the fact that she still loves him even though he is a Montague and she has only had one encounter with him. She knows that from this moment she will love him no matter what.
“If he be married my grave is like to be my deathbed.”
Juliet is telling the Nurse that if he is married she would wish to be...