A perfect example of this is Juliet's arranged marriage to Count Paris. Juliet was only thirteen years old, yet her parents were making major adult decisions for her to satisfy their own need. Although Juliet was still mourning the loss of her loved cousin, Tybalt, Capulet and Lady Capulet disregarded her feelings and moved on by planning her marriage to Paris the same day Tybalt is killed by Romeo. " much of grief shows still some want of wit." (III, v, 76) This is Juliet's own mother telling her that her mourning is stupid. A mother who truly cares for her daughter's well-being would help her get through the tragic death of Tybalt and try to lighten her grief. In response to Juliet's refusal to marry Paris, Lady Capulet once again manifests a care for herself over her weeping daughter. "I would the fool were married to her grave." (III, v, 145) This is, not only foreshadowing to Juliet's eventual suicide, but also a concern for her family name over her daughter's wishes. Capulet, Juliet's father, shows that his attitude is no better than his wife's. He becomes enraged and calls her such words as "green-sickness carrion", "baggage", "disobedient wretch", and "hilding." (III, v, 161-175) Such insults and harsh words show that Capulet is much more concerned with how he will be viewed by Paris and Paris's kinsman, Prince Escalus of Verona. …show more content…
The basic origin of the feud between the families is a rivalry for power. Their parents use them to gain respect from the Prince, a powerful source of authority, despite whatever complaints the children may have. It is the same example of the disregard of feelings that portrays the parents as being very narcissistic. The marriage to Paris was made for disingenuous motives. Paris may have proclaimed his love' for Juliet, but it was a very superficial liking, referring only to her beauty as opposed to the internal traits that Romeo refers to. However, because Paris was a relative of Prince Escalus, the Capulets were blinded by their greed for power. This arranged marriage shows that the Capulets will not let their child grow through self-realization; they attempt to control decisions and try to be in command of every aspect of their child's life. Besides controlling decisions, the parents battle for power through their children's physical fights. Why don't they try and stop their children from fighting, even when the Prince threatens both houses with punishment of death? It is because they want control so badly that they will use their own children to physically fight each other. The parents are so egocentric and greedy that they are almost living through their children's