Some people say you can't help who you fall in love with, others believe marriages should be planned. As far as marriage, parents, and rebelling, there are many similarities and differences between Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespere and modern day teenage couples.
Marriage traditions have changed/not changed in many ways. In Romeo and Juliet everyone had arranged marriage. It was a tradition of many people to have their parents pick their husband or wife. For example in Romeo and Juliet when Lady Capulet first tells Juliet she must get married she starts off by saying, “Tell me, daughter Juliet, how stands your disposition to be married?” (1.3.69-70) She imposes marriage on Juliet even though Juliet is only 14.These traditions still exist today but they are practiced much less. Some religions still require arranged marriage but overall it's a much rarer thing to see. Another difference is that back in the days of Romeo and Juliet gay/lesbian marriage was completely unheard of. Now gay/lesbian marriage is legalized in 9 states and is on its way to being legalized in more.
Parents are a very big part of both modern day teenage couples and Romeo and Juliet. Back then and now, if you're a teen you live with your parents. When you live with your parents they have much more control over your life than if you lived away from home. They have much more control over you since you aren't yet an adult. They see who you are dating and who you bring in and out of their home. If they don't like the person you are seeing then they most likely will ban you from dating them. And, as mentioned before, parents have all control over arranged marriages. In one scene of Romeo and Juliet, Capulet is forcing Juliet to marry Paris, he says: “I tell thee what: get thee to church o’ Thursday, or never again look me in the face.” (3.5.167-168)
Kids rebelling is and was a common thing for teenagers to do when in love. In the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo sneaks out at night and climbs the garden walls of Juliets house just to see her, he says, “For stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsman are no stop to me”, Juliet responds saying, “If they do see thee, they will murder thee.” (2.2.72-75) This shows how many rules Romeo is breaking just to see Juliet. One reason kids rebel is when their parents are strict. When parents are strict kids often feel the need to defy them and do something bad. They'll date people they aren't supposed to, run away from home, or sneak out at night. When Romeo and Juliet rebelled I feel like it was a bigger deal because rules were much stricter back then and the penalty for breaking rules was bigger as well. Also in Romeo and Juliet it was a rare thing to break the rules, whereas today many teens break the rules of their parents.
In conclusion Romeo and Juliet are very similar and different from modern day teenage couples. Marriage, parents, and rebelling are all big parts of love, whether or not it was then or now.
great essay
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