Shakespeare’s utilization of this motif enables him to convey the moral of how an individual's age, regardless of how old or how young, does not define their intelligence.
William Shakespeare develops the motif of youth versus age in varying instances throughout the exposition into the rising action of the plot in his acclaimed play, Romeo and Juliet. In doing so, the writer ultimately wishes to communicate his message of age not determining an individual's wisdom to the reader. In the midst of delving into the subject of marriage, the author has Lady Capulet and Juliet state, “LADY CAPULET: You know my daughter is at a marriageable age… JULIET: I’ll look to like him if looks can make like him. But no more deeply will my eyes dart there” (I, iii, 11, 100-101). As a way of emphasizing how Lady Capulet feels as though she has the obligation to determine when her daughter should get married, based on an element of Juliet as mere as age, Shakespeare …show more content…
In elaboration, the author having Lady Capulet use the word “is”, when describing whether or not Juliet’s age is enough for matrimony, demonstrates her assertiveness to her beliefs and how no negotiations can alter her feelings. As an adult, Lady Capulet should apprehend that marriage should measure based on love, just as Shakespeare has Juliet do however Lady Capulet feels a complete aberration and deems age as a measurement on when one should get married and holds immense adamance to these ideas, therefore the writer delineates a sharp contrast in what a normal mature persona would feel and how Lady Capulet feels, manifesting a motif of youth versus age. The fact that Lady Capulet does not consider love as a factor in marriage depicts hows much she lacks in judgment, therefore getting across Shakespeare’s message. As Romeo implores Friar Lawrence to wed himself and his beloved Juliet, Friar Lawrence remarks, “Well young man come with me… For this alliance may happily prove To end your families’ feud…” (II, iiii, 94, 96, 97). By making Friar Lawrence categorize Romeo’s desires of yearning to marry Juliet when he claimed the same for his previous