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Does Shakespeare present Juliets parents as villains or complex humans with over reactive parental feelings?

Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" presents the parents of Juliet in a nuanced manner, avoiding clear-cut categorisation as either villains or purely compassionate individuals. While they undeniably bear some responsibility for the tragic events, they also exhibit traits of genuine concern and love for their daughter.

On the one hand, Lord and Lady Capulet's initial arrangement of Juliet's marriage to Paris without seeking her consent could be viewed as controlling and oppressive, contributing to the conflict. Their failure to understand Juliet's feelings may also be perceived as a lack of empathy or understanding.

On the other hand, their reaction to Juliet's supposed death reveals genuine affection and profound grief, showing that their love for their daughter is not entirely overshadowed by social conventions or family honour.

Additionally, the play acknowledges the social and cultural context in which the parents operate. The feud between the Montagues and Capulets creates an atmosphere of hostility, mistrust and violence, which constrains their perspective and decisions.

Shakespeare's depiction of Juliet's parents allows for a complex understanding of their actions, motives and emotions, rather than portraying them as mere one-dimensional villains. Their characters serve to highlight the clash between personal desires, familial obligations and the broader social forces that shape the characters' lives.

Drama

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