Tuesday, March 11, 2014

In Romeo and Juliet, how does Juliet's language assist in conveying that she does not want to marry for status or money?

You might find it helpful to analyse Act II scene 6, which
is when Romeo and Juliet meet to be wed by Friar Lawrence. Juliet says something very
interesting to Romeo that indicates love, not status or prestige, is what is behind her
desire to marry. Note what she says:


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Conceit, more rich in matter than in
words,


Brags of his substance, not of
ornament.


They are but beggars that can counttheir
worth;


But my true love is grown to such
excess


I cannot sum up sum of half my
wealth.



Juliet says in these
lines that the true love that she and Romeo have for each other means that she is
incredibly wealthy in this sense. She is clearly valuing love and respect over what can
be gained by allying herself to someone who can bring her and her family wealth and
prestige. It is thus evident that it is love that drives this union, not any other less
noble motives.

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