In the Elizabethan Era, women were not as independent as today. Women played a very different role in relationships than today's females. Although there were some independent women afraid of marriage, all women were expected to be married, and if not they were a burden to their family. Married wives are the property of their husbands. Now in modern times, several women have the opportunity to choose if they are to be married. In some areas, however women still do not have a choice. Back then it was considered foolish to marry for love. This made the relationship between Romeo and Juliet even more scandalous. Instead arranged marriages were set up by friends and family. Higher classified citizens were more strict with arranged marriages. People lower in the social scale have more of a voice on who they would like to marry. In Romeo and Juliet, both Romeo and Juliet were in a family of nobles, which made it even harder for them to convince their parents to let them marry who they want. Some families still organize arranged marriages, however several people today choose who they would like to marry. In many parts of the world today, it is illegal to marry until the age of 18. Although it is legal for girls to marry at 12 (boys at the age of 14), most Elizabethans wait until they have reached the age of consent. However, there were marriages between younger parties found in the nobility. The young relationship between Romeo and Juliet was uncommon. Since Juliet was a noble, it made sense for her family to have her married at this age; with someone of their choice, of course.
Love and Relationships
Love is the most important concept in the book, Romeo and Juliet. The relationship that Romeo had with Juliet might have been different in the modern world.