Sunday, February 9, 2014

In Romeo and Juliet, what is the nature of the relationship between Juliet and her parents as depicted in Act 4, Scene 2?

The scene is played out the day before Juliet is supposed to marry the county Paris. Preparations are being made for the wedding. Juliet displays a respectful, courteous and kind attitude to her parents in this scene. She comes across as quite obedient and does not challenge or provoke either Lady or Lord Capulet in any way, as illustrated in the manner in which speaks.

When her father asks her where she had been gallivanting about, Juliet replies:



Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
To you and your behests, and am enjoin'd
By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here,
And beg your pardon: pardon, I beseech you!
Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.



Juliet is here referring to a previous occasion in Act 3, scene 5, where she had been involved in a heated confrontation with her father. During this verbal altercation Juliet had refused to accede to her father's request to marry Paris. He lost his temper and threatened to not only to give her corporal punishment, but to throw her out of his house and disown her as well. He was extremely upset by her reaction and was harsh and irrational. He told her to reconsider her decision for he was serious. What he obviously did not know was that Juliet had already wed Romeo at this stage.


Here she informs her father that she has learnt to repent from her sin of disobedient opposition and will now follow his every command. She says, furthermore, that Friar Laurence has asked her to show humility and beg her father's forgiveness. She beseeches him to pardon her for having been disrespectful and promises that she will now forever obey his commands.


Lord Capulet is obviously overjoyed at this turn of events and wants to continue with the wedding preparations since he wants the betrothal to be finalized by the next morning. He asks that Paris be sent for so that he can be given the good news. At this, Juliet informs him that she had met Paris at the church and that she had given him signs of her love without overstepping the boundaries of modest behaviour.


Lord Capulet expresses his delight and ironically thanks Friar Laurence for his influence in changing Juliet's mind and says, 



Now, afore God! this reverend holy friar,
Our whole city is much bound to him.



He is, of course, unaware that the friar has plotted with Juliet to ensure that she escapes marrying Paris to be with Romeo. He has provided her with a powerful sleeping potion which will bring on a death-like sleep. The plan is that her parents will believe her dead and bury her in the family tomb. He and Romeo will fetch her once she has recovered and the two lovers will then escape to Mantua.


On the whole, therefore, Juliet's respectful and obedient behaviour is a sham. She puts on an act, for she knows what will actually unfold and does not want to complicate matters any further.

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