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Romeo And Juliet Strict Parenting

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For centuries, people have debated about the right way of parenting, and finding a happy medium between passiveness and authoritarianism. However, time has shown that being either extreme could have a severe negative impact on a child. In Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, both titular characters are raised under social constructs that cause their parents to set inflexible expectations and rules for their children. Due to this parenting style, their children are never able to develop necessary skills. Throughout the play, Shakespeare shows that strict parenting is destructive because it prevents children from developing decision making and socialization skills, and ensures that a child will become more rebellious as the parents’…show more content…
Both Romeo and Juliet agree to continue to meet and marry despite the feud between their families, defying the beliefs of their families in the process. Juliet makes her intention to continue to see Romeo–regardless of the consequences–clear when she says, “Sweet, good night / This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, / May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet” (Shakespeare 2.2.127-129). It is because of the disapproval of their parents that the two knew they would receive that led to them hide their marriage, a clear sign of disobedience. This betrayal is seen when Juliet tells Romeo to, “Deny thy father and refuse thy name/ Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love/ And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (2.2.37-39). The two decide that they are willing to abandon their families and legacies in order to be with each other.Later, their love is challenged when Juliet’s parents give her the ultimatum of marrying a family friend, the Count Paris, or being disowned. In a blatant act of defiance, Juliet refuses to marry Count Paris and follows along with the friar’s plan to ensure that that marriage will never occur. Juliet’s actions are very different from the obedient behavior and unquestioning loyalty that both of her parents are accustomed to seeing her display. Juliet herself acknowledges her own betrayal of her family after she realizes that she is relieved that her cousin, Tybalt, was killed instead of Romeo and she only expresses remorse at the fact that Romeo is banished as a result. She claims that, “That “banishèd,” that one word “banishèd”/ Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts” (3.2.114). Juliet holds Romeo in higher importance and assigns more meaning to him than her own kinsman, which is considered the ultimate act of betrayal. Throughout the novel, both character’s dedication towards each other proves to be greater than
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