How does Shakespeare Portray
Relationships of Parenthood in Relation
to Juliet and her parents and Romeo and
his?
By Daniel Chin and Tony Hao
Introduction
Shakespeare uses the relationships of Romeo
and Juliet and their parents to portray
parenthood to be one of confliction but also
affection. The lack of understanding between
Juliet and her parents, and the absence of
communication between Romeo and his
parents conveys the theme of "Youth versus
Old". Both sides may differ in values and
actions, however there is still love between
them.
Capulet Family: Lord Capulet +
Juliet in Act 1
•
Capulet cares and supports her daughter
o
o
"My child is yet a stranger in the world" p.19
"Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she" p.19
 Even though it is not evident in some instances,
Lord Capulet's world still depends on her, as he
shows care and concern for her.
Capulet Family: Lady Capulet +
Juliet in Act 1
•
Juliet's relationship between her mother is
quite distant
o "We must talk in secret. Nurse, come back again"
p.25
 The distant relationship is evident as Juliet and
her mother can't communicate without the Nurse.
The Nurse is more of a maternal figure for Juliet
than her own mother.
o "Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love?" p.29
 Lady Capulet insists on her daughter marrying
Paris, however, her far relationship her doesn't
allow her to acknowledge that Juliet isn't looking
to marry at her age. She doesn't understand her
Capulet Family: Lord Capulet +
Juliet in Act 3
•
Juliet disobeys her father later in the play to
follow her own beliefs about Romeo
o
"Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch" p.
133
 After learning that Juliet doesn't want to marry
Paris, Lord Capulet begins to threaten and insult
her. He doesn't like his authority to be
questioned, and he gets angry as the once close
relationships begins to separate
Capulet Family: Juliet + her parents
in Act 4
•
Juliet begs for forgiveness from her parents
as she plans to pledge allegiance to Romeo
and drink the vial
"Henceforward, I am forever ruled by you" p.149
o "God knows when we shall meet again" .p.153
 Juliet uses religious imagery to emphasize the
calmness and her current state of mind. She
promises dedication to her father forever, even
though she is going to betray them again
o
Capulet Family: Juliet + Parents in
Act 5
•
After the final death of Juliet, Lord and Lady
Capulet realize their lack of understanding of
her daughter and the Montagues ended in
the death of their daughter
o
"O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my
daughter's jointure, for no more can I demand" p.199
 The Capulets and Montagues realize their
situation with the Montagues has caused the
death of Juliet and Romeo. They make up and
promise to understand each other, after
witnessing the consequences of not doing so
Montague Family:
Montague wants a more intimate relationship with
Romeo
"himself so secret and so close" Act 1 Scene 1
Montague loves Romeo, therefore worries for him
because of his melancholy mood
"Would as willingly give cure as know" Act 1 Scene 1
Tries his best to protect Romeo after his guilty murder
of Tybalt
"His fault concludes but what the law should end, The life of
Tybalt" Act 3 Scene 1
Montague Family
Montague grieves at the death of Romeo
"O thou untaught! what manners is this, To press before thy
father to a grave" Act 5 Scene 3
While Lady Montague had previously died of trauma
after the exile of Romeo
"Grief of my son's exile hath stopped her breath" Act 5
Scene 3
Personal Interpretation
The distant relationship between the parent and children is
evident through youth vs old age. The Capulets and
Montagues try to do what's best for their children,
however, they don't realize that the growing family feud
has caused all the events to occur. Shakespeare
portrays parenthood in context with Capulets and
Montagues is that their thoughts and focuses are
completely different to what their children think. They are
focused on the ever-present family feud, however, the
younger generation are focusing on love and being
together forever.