preview

Marriage Research Paper

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document

Ian Moskowitz
Mrs. Riccardi
English IV H
30 January 2009

During the middle ages there were different expectations of marriage compared to today. Through out both there have been divorces arranged marriages and ceremonial traditions that have occurred. Each having comparisons and differences to one another. Divorce was something that been uncommon in the middle Ages the only ones who could divorce were men if their wives had committed adultery. Women on the other hand, could not divorce their husband unless he had committed numerous counts of crimes, one major crime, or was away on a long tour during warfare. For many married couples during the middle ages period, divorces were very uncommon and were not …show more content…

“Today arranged marriages tend to exist in Japan, China, India, in Jewish culture and many other parts of the world”. (www.helium.com). To me arranged marriages are wrong, because marriage should be two people who feel a strong love for each other that they would want to spend the rest of their life together. Not because they have to be forced into it by their selfish family or by some old tradition. Lastly Ceremonial traditions were a big part of marriage during the Middle Ages and today. For the royal or nobles during the middle ages, would have a huge feast where the whole town would attend their castle and witness the couple get married. It was not always like this though. The earliest forms of marriage were usually quite simple and could be done simply by signing a slip of paper “But it wasn't until the 16th century Council of Trent that decreed a priest was required to perform the betrothal ceremony”. (www.medieval-weddings.net/marriage_laws.htm) and that it could not be done in secret but would have to be held in the open. Today, many couples will have the marriage with a big service depending on their religion and after have an elaborate party. But a couple can also do it as simply as signing a paper and having a witness present to verify there marriage. A ceremonial tradition is something one tends to think of as a

Get Access