Romeo reacts just as irrationally. When he learns that he has been banished from Verona and will not be slain, he is incredibly upset, claiming that death would be better. He is unthankful, as Friar Lawrence notes, that the Prince has been willing to change the law so that he may continue to live. While Friar calls the punishment mercy, Romeo baptizes it as torture, for he will no longer be able to be with Juliet. Trying to calm the boy, Friar speaks of philosophy. When Romeo refuses to listen, he states the obvious that “madmen have no ears” (3.3.61). He continues, very wisely, on what could be dubbed a rant, for all the reasons Romeo has to live and be happy. Then he proposes the solution of going to Juliet a last time to consummate the marriage that night, leave in the morning for Mantua where in a few months he will be sought out, and then will return to Verona where he will be welcomed as Juliet’s husband. At the mere mention that he will be able to be will Juliet sexually at last, Romeo expresses how deeply he has been comforted and flees joyfully, his emotions turning on a dime. By this emotional instability, we see how his love is governed by physical and sexual attraction, and how immature his concept of unity is, likewise to Juliet.
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Contrast of Capulet and Lady Capulet’s feelings towards Juliet’s Marriage Capulet and Lady Capulet both share the same wish for Juliet to marry Paris; however, they both take different roles in Juliet’s refusal to be the County’s wife. Lady Capulet takes the role of the wife of the era: sympathetic to the weary daughter, yet in compliance and submission to her husband’s wishes. When Juliet first protests she replies in a manner that indicates her inability to help in the situation. Then, as Juliet begs for the wedding to be put off for a while, she acts coldly in compliance to her husband’s command, but still hints at her sorrow for her child’s pain. “Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word, / Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. “ (3.5.204-205) are her exact words. Capulet is very strong in his opinion that Juliet will marry Paris, despite her protests. He maintains his side ordering her “To go to Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, / Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. / Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! / You tallow-face!” (3.5. 155-158). This statement proves how important a deal it is for Juliet to marry Paris immediately, as otherwise he would not have become so enraged. Overall, this is the expected reaction of a husband and wife from this time period to the surrounding circumstances.
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