Secrecy In Romeo And Juliet

“Two households, both alike in dignity...from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean” (Prologue.1-4). When Romeo and Juliet start a relationship with each other, with the hope of actually being together for the rest of their lives, they find out how difficult it is to do so while their families are rivals. Lord Capulet tries to force Juliet into marrying Count Paris, someone whom she does not want to be with at all, while she is in love with someone else. While Romeo and Juliet try to show their love for each other in private, it becomes difficult to hide the truth from their parents, increasing the demand for secrets. In order for the lovers to have a wedding, they look to their closest mentors to help them be together. By closely examining the effects of the unwanted arranged marriage, the need for secrecy of the relationship, and the character flaws of their trusted advisors, it is evident that the families’ involvement in the ancient feud is the defining cause for the untimely deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

In the first place, Juliet’s father, Lord Capulet, tries to force his daughter to marry a royal family member, Count Paris, however, Juliet does not have any interest in marrying Paris, so she refuses to follow her father’s plans. Shakespeare expresses Lord Capulet’s desires for his daughter’s marriage by “but fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next to go with Paris to Saint Peter’s church, or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither” (3.5.152-155). A start for a good marriage begins with two people who truly love each other. While Juliet does love someone, it is not Count Paris. Lord Capulet sees that Paris is a part of the royal family, so he wanted to get the benefits of being legally related to royalty. The negative aspect of going against the tradition of arranged marriage can be viewed as, “a matter of direct rebellion against the authority of her father. The play thus focuses on a growing cultural conflict