Ages of those bethrothed and married.

[Aussie]

Just saw on ABC TV and have not checked........

Juliet (in Romeo and Juliet) was ........13!

Oh dear!

Can you imagine the uproar today if there was a play staged in which the Muslim Bride was a mere 13!

What do we know now that Shakespeare's England was blissfully unaware of?

[lisa jones]

Did you not study William Shakespeare in high school?

In fact, Juliet is ALMOST 14.

According to Juliet's mother and Nurse in act 1, scene 3, Juliet is a little more than two weeks shy of her fourteenth birthday. Lady Capulet states, "She's not yet fourteen"

Back in those days if you were 14 then you were ready to be married (girls start menstruating from 10 to 14) so I guess that's why it was considered acceptable.

Note : Poverty and/or mortality issues played significant roles in all this.

[Aussie]

Did you not study William Shakespeare in high school?

In fact, Juliet is ALMOST 14.

According to Juliet's mother and Nurse in act 1, scene 3, Juliet is a little more than two weeks shy of her fourteenth birthday. Lady Capulet states, "She's not yet fourteen"

Back in those days if you were 14 then you were ready to be married (girls start menstruating from 10 to 14) so I guess that's why it was considered acceptable.

Note : Poverty and/or mortality issues played significant roles in all this.

Tell me...what is the number between 12 and 14?

Why is it not acceptable now? What changed?
*Being Devils Advocate*

[Black Orchid]

Life expectancy back then was around 30 years old. Today it is 73. Vastly different to comparing a filthy old man (which Romeo wasn't) marrying a 13 year old now.

[Aussie]

Life expectancy back then was around 30 years old. Today it is 73. Vastly different to comparing a filthy old man (which Romeo wasn't) marrying a 13 year old now.

Yeas....and the Plague was rampant......

Still, I get your point.

If yer only gonna live to be 30, better get breeding very early, yes?