March 21, 1994
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 (Romeo) with that same tounge/Which she hath
praised him beyond compare/So many thousand times?" (III, v, 249-252) The
Nurse's betrayal causes Juliet to go to the Friar with the intent to commit
suicide should he be unable to help Juliet - "I'll to the Friar to know
his remedy./If all else fails myself have the power to die." (III, v,
254-255)
The Friar is the final adult to betray Juliet.
He fails to understand Romeo and Juliet's love for each other. Part of the
misunderstanding is brought on by Romeo being quick to forget Rosaline. The
Friar believes that Juliet and Romeo's love is temporary and advises Romeo
"Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast." (II, iv, 101) The
Friar is mistaken. The Friar, when he was down in the tomb with Juliet, who is
distressed about Romeo's death, could have saved her life. Instead of staying
with Juliet and comforting her when she does not wish to leave "Go, get thee
hence, for I will not away." (V, iii, 165) Friar Lawrence betrays her by
rushing out of the tomb "Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer
stay" (V, iii, 164) when he hears the watch coming. Part of this reaction
comes from the Friar misunderstanding Juliet and Romeo's love. The other part
comes from the Friar's self concern. As a result from Friar Lawrence's betrayal
Juliet commits suicide.
The adults betrayed Juliet because they did not
see things in the same view as she did. Adults may not always understand
children as they see things in different views. Adults have more experience
than children. Experience alters their choices in how to act. Shakespeare's
creation of the conflict in this play, between Juliet and the adults,
demonstrates his understanding the young and olds various views on topics and
how this misunderstanding may result in betrayal.
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