Romeo and Juliet, the iconic star-crossed lovers from William Shakespeare's play, get married at a very young age.
Romeo is 16 years old when he marries Juliet. Juliet's age is not explicitly stated in the play, but she is likely around 13 or 14 years old.
The play's setting is Verona, Italy, in the 14th century. During this time period, it was not uncommon for young people to marry at a young age. However, the play's portrayal of their marriage is a stark contrast to the social norms of the time, as it was considered scandalous for a young woman to marry so young, especially to a man from a rival family.
Here are some additional details about Romeo and Juliet's marriage:
- The marriage is a secret: Romeo and Juliet elope and get married in secret, without the knowledge of their families.
- The marriage is quickly followed by tragedy: Juliet's family tries to force her to marry Paris, a man from a wealthy family. To avoid this, Juliet takes a potion that makes her appear dead. Romeo, believing Juliet is dead, kills himself. Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead and kills herself as well.
The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet has captivated audiences for centuries, and their young age is a significant factor in the play's themes of love, passion, and fate.