The role of a patriarchal society in Romeo and Juliet is largely shown through Juliet's relationship with her father, Lord Capulet. Juliet is encouraged to be subservient and obedient (like her mother, Lady Capulet) and to marry the most desirable suitable, Paris, despite the fact that she is not even fourteen years old. The systematic arranged engagement of young women at this time was part of a strategic effort to create mutual benefits between two families. In this case, Paris is a nobleman and kinsman to the Prince; he is handsome, rich, and offers significant financial value and social status for the Capulets. Juliet is a well-mannered and beautiful girl who will make a dutiful and attractive wife for Paris. Such a union would strengthen both families, even though it would come at a high emotional cost to Juliet, who is too young to even have considered marriage.
When Juliet later begs her father not to make her marry Paris, he responds with great fury. As the patriarch of the family, he believes that his daughter must submit to his commands, and this sudden refusal to follow the rules and maintain the status quo is, to him, an act of high treason. Juliet has no agency in this situation, with her father threatening to disown her and cast her into the streets if she does not obey his wishes. The fact that he is willing to sentence his daughter to a life of poverty--and a very likely early death--rather than accommodate her thoughts and feelings on the matter of her own impending wedding is telling of just how skewed the patriarchal values are at this time.
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