Marxist Critism- Romeo and Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet the two families at war- the Montague's and the Capulet's- are going through a power struggle, the fact that they are both of higher class so they rival each others power. Both families are in conflict of each other, both trying to become the highest class, to climb the social ladder because of the great importance of connections (e.g. closest to the royal court, most favourable by the Prince of Italy).

The Capulet's youngest daughter Juliet is of age to marry and start having children and they decide to try and match her up with a man named Paris, he has decided he would like Juliet as his wife 'The vailiant Paris seeks you for his love' this proves how much little power women had over these decisions in those days as it is him who has asked for her so now she must agree. This also shows that her parents should have the power as they tell her who shes going to marry and when she is ready to marry 'Well, think of marriage now' they have the final say over their childrens affairs. It is not Juliet who has to agree to Paris proposal it is her parents this again shows how little power she has as a women. That is until she falls in love with Romeo (Montague's youngest son) at the ball and she decides its time to take her life into her own hands. They plan to run away and get married this flips the power to the children as now they are finding ways of making all the decisions themselves, but because they are of higher class, their behaviour is seen as unruly and they risk being disowned by their families.