We find out in act I that Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet, was already married and had children when she was Juliet's age (13 almost 14). Lord Capulet claims that girls that are married too young can be "marred" or made bitter, which could be a refernce to Juliet's mother. When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lady Capulet defends her daughter briefly, but then wipes her hands of the situation. Why do you think that Lady Capulet would be willing to allow her daughter to have the same fate rather than sticking up for Juliet?
2007-12-23 08:09:35 · 4 answers · asked by ♥MiMi♫ 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
In Elizabethan times, women were not equal to men, nor did many women have much of a say in their own lives. Wives were expected to obey their husbands in all things. Lady Capulet was doing her duty as a wife, that's all. To stand up to her husband in greater defense of her daughter (or any other reason) would have been scandalous. It's just the way things were back then.
Lord Capulet is only concerned with finding a proper and wealthy husband for his daughter. Daughters were not as important as sons and were often seen as liabilities rather than assets. He was following the social norms of the day in finding her a husband at an early age.
Aren't you glad things are different now? So am I.
Hope that helps.
2007-12-23 08:19:44 · answer #1 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since the average life span was less than 40 years, women married early and arranged marriages were common. Lord Capulet is definitely taking a swipe at his wife, when he uses the word "marred," while talking to Paris. Keep in mind, that Lord Capulet tells Paris to "let two winters wither..., lest we may think she ripe to be a bride." He is not pushing Juliet into marriage at first, this comes later in the play. Lady Capulet sees Paris as a good match and doesn't understand her reluctance to be married, since she was married early and it may have been an arranged marriage. Love had nothing to do with these marriages; it was all about finding a suitable (someone from a noble situation in life) suitor, and Paris fit the bill.
2007-12-23 17:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by Dale 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok I know this is probably for your homeowrk bt here is my opinion. She probably did that so that she wouldn't cause a fuss with her husband.
2007-12-23 16:16:08 · answer #3 · answered by Cute Is What I Aim For 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically women had no say back then so it was futile for her to attempt it any further.
2007-12-23 16:16:25 · answer #4 · answered by Nats 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋