During the sixteenth century in Italy, marriages were pre-arranged by the parents and/or guardians, whether or not their children had passionate feelings for each other. Such is the case in William Shakespeares tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The prospective groom, County Paris, actually appears to love his intended wife Juliet, who, unfortunately for Paris, loves another manRomeo. Under scrutiny, Pariss love for Juliet rings false, while Romeo only professes his own love more deeply. Pariss insincere love does no justice to his case; in fact, it serves to further illuminate the legitimacy of Romeos adoration.
There are three causes of Pariss apparent love: social obligation, political and economic advantage, and being in love with the idea of love. As far as the first motive goes, Paris may be obligated to maintain the appearance of love in order to retain social propriety. As a member of a royal family, and the bearer of the title County, certain standards of conduct are expected from him. If, after his betrothed dies, he immediately starts wooing another girl, his reputation as a fine and upstanding gentleman will be ruined, and he will be hard-pressed to find a new wife of appropriate status. Juliets family, the Capulets, are influential, upper-class citizens, and so would be highly offended if Paris does not pay his respects to their deceased daughter. He would also lose the respect of Prince Escales, ruler of their city Verona, who refers to Paris as one of his brace of kinsmen (5. iii. Ln 295).
Paris may also entertain the pretense of love for Juliet in order to advance himself both economically and politically in society. If he cuts off his ties with Juliets family, they would not be eager to support his future exploits. By vowing to visit her tomb every evening, he remains in the Capulet familys good graceshe would thus possibly gain additional status or even wealth from their generosity. Additional wealth could be advantageous to Paris in his future endeavors to gain the hand of another girl, while the prestige of relation to the title County could aid and abet the Capulets in any dealings with other royalty.
As the play progresses, Paris grows extremely histrionic in his elaborate expressions of devotion to Juliet. His noticeably over-the-top shows of love make his efforts almost comical; a feature which diminishes the effect of his words. Paris melodramatically strews Juliets tomb with flowers, while proclaiming Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew / O woe, thy canopy is dust and stones! / Which with sweet water nightly I will dew, / Or wanting that, with tears distilld by moans. / The obsequies that I for thee will keep / Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep (V. iii. Ln 12). This theatrical demonstration underscores Pariss obvious need to make good on the pretense of love, to save face.
The evidence above suggests that Pariss love for Juliet is at best conventional and unromantic, and at worst entirely false. Perhaps his nature, or perhaps even ulterior motive, makes him incapable of real love. A practical man, Paris would be consumed by finding a good match (i.e. one with a pretty, upstanding, and wealth girl). He is accurately described by Juliets nurse, when she exclaims, Why hes a man of wax! (I. iii. Ln. 77). Wax doesnt have a heart, only a flawless exterior. Such a man would be so self-absorbed in his own ability to win the right bride, that true love would be neglected. As Juliets mother comments, Read oer the volume of young Paris face, / And find delight writ there with beautys pen; / Examine every married lineament, and see how another lends content (i. iii. Ln 82). Finally Paris stands as an empty vesselan enticing exterior, but containing no substance or merit.
Shakespeares portrayal of Pariss insincerity in his play Romeo and Juliet only serves to emphasize the genuine heartfelt quality of Romeos romantic love. Through Pariss fixation on appearances, he neglects the true love which attracted Juliet to Romeo. When Paris and Romeo are compared by a friar familiar with both young men, his use of adjectives draws conclusions about their respective personalities. The noble Paris and true Romeo(V. iii. Ln 259). Paris may be noble in rank, but Romeo is true at heart. Ultimately, Pariss disingenuous love only serves as a foil to offset Romeos brilliant, and most romantic true love.
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