Romeo and Juliet: Lady Capulet's Defense - A Mother's Plea

This essay presents Lady Capulet's defense against the alleged crime of not having her daughter Juliet's best interests at heart. The essay argues that Lady Capulet's decisions were influenced by societal traditions, the feud between the Capulets and Montagues, and Romeo's character. Lady Capulet defends her preference for an arranged marriage with Paris, emphasizing the security, wealth, and social standing it offered, aligning with common practices of the time. She highlights the dangers of Romeo, a Montague, and the potential risks to Juliet's safety and well-being. The essay references key quotes and scenes from the play to support the argument, portraying Lady Capulet's perspective as a mother trying to secure her daughter's future within the constraints of her world. The essay concludes by reiterating the factors that, according to Lady Capulet, justify her actions and absolve her of blame.

I am here to make a stand as Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet,
against the crime of not having my daughter's best interests in
mind. I believe that I as a mother, it is my basic and
fundamental right to desire for the best of my daughter in all
kinds of situations and circumstances. I deeply ponder about
the societal traditions, our feud with the Montague family and
the very nature of Romeo himself has all influenced my
decisions. This is the reason why today, I plead not to be guilty
to the crime I have allegedly committed against my daughter,
Juliet.
At Juliet's age, I was encouraged into an arranged marriage
with Lord Capulet. It offered me excellent security with wealth,
safety and social standing. However, it also has to be
remembered that arranged marriages, during that time, were
common and was expected to happen at the age of 14. When
my daughter reached that age, I recalled telling her that, "I was
your mother much upon these years, marriage is now for you."
(Act 1 scene 2). As a mother, I never wanted to see my
daughter as a desperate beggar, but instead, see her fulfill all
her nascent desires. To secure this, I wanted Paris, the rich and
attractive man, to marry my daughter in order to satisfy her
wants and needs. Arranged marriages are happening all over,
and no one has any choice but to proceed in life with their
chosen partner. Even though it might sound foul, yet it is true
that it actually creates enjoyment and offers a better

experience ahead. My life personally had changed significantly,
when I was married to Lord Capulet. Nevertheless, at the early
ages of my marriage, I didn't have any urge to want anything
from him.
I believe that my daughter deserves a magnanimous life. So, all
I could wish upon her was a bright future. "That is where the
valiant Paris had sought Juliet's love". (Act 1 scene 2). As the
Nurse would always say, "Paris was a man, made out of wax".
(Act 1, scene 3) He was a "gentle" and loving "man". (Act 1
scene 2) He was the perfect match for Juliet. He was the man
who could fulfill all her desires as well as protect her. Paris was
a Capulet, just like us. There was no harm coming from his
direction. Therefore, it is expected that he would keep Juliet
safe from retribution.
The Capulets and Montagues were at war; all of us were in
danger and trying to escape the battle. Romeo and Juliet's
marriage wasn't accepted, for the reason that Juliet would have
lost her safety, as Romeo was a Montague. For example, If my
daughter happened to be with Romeo when a fight began, she
wouldn't be safe. All the Montagues would be trying to kill the
Capulets and all the Capulets woulda attempt to kill the
Montagues. People were dying in fights between the Montagues
and Capulets. Had Juliet been in such situation, she could have
been assassinated by a bullet. The truth of their love was only
based off a childish fantasy of a young girl chasing the heart of

a dangerous boy. Juliet was always fantasizing him, even when
she heard the news that Romeo had to leave the city as for
killing Tybalt. She thought what "Beautiful tyrant, fiend
angelical" (Act 3. Scene 2) Romeo was. Tybalt, the cousin of
Juliet, loved to express his hatred on the Montagues especially
Romeo, as he said to Romeo when they came face to face,
"Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford. No better term than
this: thou art a villain."
Romeo wasn't the correct man for Juliet. He was a
troublemaker. He killed Paris and Tybalt, broke into Juliet's
room and causing damage. As I have always said, "He is a
kinsman, to the Montague, affection makes him false, he
speaks not true." (Act 3, scene 1) So for that reason, I have
never trusted him with my daughter, Juliet. He is a dangerous
guy. After killing Tybalt, they had exiled him from his home
city, Verona. If Juliet had moved out with him, her life wouldn’t
be secured. All she would receive from Paris would no longer
be attached to her. As her parents, Lady Capulet and Lord
Capulet, we have both agreed for Juliet to keep her distance
from him and marry Paris instead, as he has much more to
offer.
I am afraid I would be accused of negligence towards my ward.
I admit Juliet did not have a sound relationship. I was only
young when I had my daughter, Juliet. I wasn't sure how to
communicate with her and allowed the Nurse to take that role.
To conclude, as I mentioned about the three main aspects of
this argument, the societal traditions, our feud with the

Montague family and the troublemaker Romeo himself is all to
blame for this misconstrued crime of not having my daughter's
best interests in mind.