preview

Arranged Marriages In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Decent Essays
Open Document

Western society today has evolved to romanticise the idea of love, and along with it, the idea of a marriage based upon love. This has therefore pushed a negative stigma onto the concept of arranged marriages. A classic example of literature that pits these two clashing ideas against each other is William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Even today, many debate over the two, love or arranged marriages.
Arranged marriages have been an international phenomenon for centuries, specifically in the continent of Asia. The definition of an arranged marriage would be when a marriage is planned by the parents, or a third party. In many cases it is to ensure a good future for the children of both families. In China the common procedure would be that the groom’s family would check the history behind the bride and her family, whilst the bride’s …show more content…

Western society thrives off this concept of ‘love conquers all’, in which love is also the main priority in marriages. Another thing about why many think that love marriage is the ‘right’ way is because of the west’s idealism of individualism and in turn, making one’s own decisions, including marriage. Pros of such marriages would be that the two have had time to figure out the good and bad of the other, therefore being able to tell, for the most part, what they’re getting into. The two also have felt a genuine, strong, romantic connection. This applies in the main theme of Romeo and Juliet, love. Although this seems ideal, many other important factors get in the way. Families will not always agree with their children’s decisions and therefore could very well not help during financial difficulties. Furthermore, while expecting more from their partner, many couples also hide thing from each other until marriage, which deteriorates trust which could lead to more secrets and

Get Access