Wednesday 8 October 2014

How does Capulet discourage Paris from courting Juliet too quickly in Romeo and Juliet?

Lord Capulet discourages Paris from rushing too quickly by intimating that he has personal knowledge of how quickly that can ruin a marriage. In Act 1, scene 2, Paris asks Lord Capulet for his daughter's hand in marriage. Lord Capulet encourages Paris to wait: 



But saying o'er what I have said before.


My child is yet a stranger in the world.


She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.


Let two more summers wither...


Lord Capulet discourages Paris from rushing too quickly by intimating that he has personal knowledge of how quickly that can ruin a marriage. In Act 1, scene 2, Paris asks Lord Capulet for his daughter's hand in marriage. Lord Capulet encourages Paris to wait: 



But saying o'er what I have said before.


My child is yet a stranger in the world.


She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.


Let two more summers wither in their pride


Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. (II,ii,7-11)



He says this as though Paris has asked many times before and he's simply repeating his answer, that Juliet is far too young to be married. She's almost 14 and Lord Capulet suggests that he wants to wait until Juliet is at least 16 years old to marry her off.


Paris responds with a statement of fact. He says that most women are married off and have babies by this age during this time period.


Lord Capulet follows this statement by saying that just because many young ladies are married at the age of 14, that doesn't mean that it's the best way to do things: 



And 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.


An she agreed within her scope of choice,


Lies my consent and fair according voice. (II,ii,13-19)



The reader is left with the idea that Juliet's mother might once have been just like Juliet, a young bride and mother. Lord Capulet suggests that Lady Capulet had Juliet far too young and this may be be a reason that Lady Capulet is so acerbic and distant with her daughter (and her husband). Lord Capulet says that Juliet is his treasure and he loves his daughter. He wants more for her than that. Additionally, Lord Capulet also adds that his blessing is only part of what he wants for Juliet. He urges Paris to win Juliet's heart, saying that once Paris succeeds in wooing Juliet, he'll have Lord Capulet's blessing.  

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