Title: What are Juliet's ideas of love and marriage in act I in Romeo and Juliet? - eNotes.com
Headings: What are Juliet's ideas of love and marriage in act I in
Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo and Juliet
What are Juliet's ideas of love and marriage in act I in Romeo and Juliet?
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Content: On top of that, she is a complete novice in love, having never experienced romance with anyone before meeting Romeo. On his side, Romeo is on the rebound from “fair Rosaline” and ready to project all those frustrated emotions onto another, which means he would have come on strong to any girl who’d caught his eye. And what pair of teenagers wouldn’t be attracted to a secret, forbidden relationship and the dizzy feeling that it’s the two of them against the world? The idea of star-crossed lovers overcoming the odds is an attractive one, even today. With all that in play, it’s fair to say that Juliet’s ideas of love and marriage are heavy on idealism and imagination, and sorely lacking in realism. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team
mwestwood, M.A.
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In Act I of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet changes from disinterest in the idea of marriage to Paris in Scene 3 to falling in love with Romeo in Scene 5. This quick switch in Juliet's perspective exemplifies the theme of impetuous behavior and passion. First, when her mother asks Juliet if she might consider Paris, who is a cousin to the Prince, as a husband, Juliet expresses her disinterest: I'll look to like, if looking liking move,
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. ( 1.3.99-101)
Ironically, Juliet's disinterest seems to reflect that of her father, Lord Capulet, who in Scene 2 has told Paris that his child "is yet a stranger in the world" and too young for marriage, although he does not discourage Paris from wooing her and get [ting] her heart."