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Marriage and weddings in elizabethan era
Marriage in Elizabethan England
Gender inequality because of religion
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Wedding customs in the Elizabethan times were unfair and strict. The ages of consent in the Elizabethan times were twenty-one for boys and twelve for girls: “With parental permission is was legal for boys to marry at fourteen and girls at twelve although it was not usual or traditional for marriages at such young ages. The age of consent was twenty-one and boys would generally not marry until thi age” (Elizabethan Wedding Customs). The quote shows how young a marriage could happen in the Elizabethan times. The key word in the quote is “boys.” Men had more control over their “wives” or captives. Parents could force their daughters into any marriage, and the man in the marriage would use said wife for her “benefits.” This is known as dowry:
The Elizabethan Era was a Golden Age for the English people during the late 1500s and early 1600s. This time period is referred to as the English Renaissance because new ideas were introduced to Elizabethan daily life. People enjoyed learning; they enjoyed art, culture, music, and food. The people also enjoyed celebrating many customs and festivals. These celebrations became a major part of daily life, and there were many customs to celebrate.
Weddings were always a religious ceremony, conducted by a minister. The religions varied but the legal process prior to the wedding was always the same. There were no Registry Office marriages or marriages conducted by a Justice of the Peace. The first stage was Crying the Banns, announcing a couple's intention to marry. The same procedure still applies to Church marriages in England today. The Elizabethan Wedding custom dictated that the couple's intention to marry had to be announced in the church three times on three consecutive Sundays or Holy days. This allowed time for any objections to be raised or pre-contracts to be discovered. Any marriage not published beforehand was considered clandestine and illegal. Wedding invitations were not issued. People lived in small communities
Marriage is another aspect of families in the 1700's that is very different from today. Most girls in the 1700's married extremely early around th...
Centuries ago in Elizabethan England there were many traditions about marriage and the treatment of women. One strong tradition of these times was the practice of marriage between races. Interracial marriages were considered extremely taboo. (High Beam). In this era marriages were arranged by the parents with strong help from the local church. The individuals had little choice as to who they would marry. (Elizabethan England Life). Yet another example of these traditions was the respectable treatment of women. While the husband was in charge of his wife, as was the father, the husband were expected to treat the women right (Elizbethi). In spurning all of these traditions, Shakespeare demonstrates a view of marriage far different from that of Elizabethan England, in doing this he is trying to plant new ideas in the people who read or view the play.
Romeo and Juliet was first published around 1595. At this time in England the family was one of the most central and pivotal figures of social order. Children were expected to honor and obey their parents and seek their assistance in any decisions made. Especially in choices made concerning marriage. At this time children were finally able to take a more active role in choosing their husband/wife, but parents were essentially given the final decision (Amussen 94). Romeo and Juliet took it upon themselves to make such an important decision and hardly even considered their parents in the process. During the first half of the 17th century the average age for a woman to marry was 26 and for a man, 28 (Amussen 86). Shakespeare’s central characters are barely entering their teen years. As a son coming of age, and more importantly the singular male heir for the Montague family, Romeo should be entering University to prepare himself for handling the family fortune, not marrying in secret. This is merely the beginning of his show of irresponsibility towards his family and ultimately the role he is meant to play in society.
Marriage was very different in the 1400s than it is today. In the 21st century, it is hard to comprehend what kind of marriage traditions they had in the 15th century. While many people toady marry for love, in the Renaissance Era, marriages were primarily arranged by the families. In addition, when a couple did marry the ceremonies and customs were also very different.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses different ways to show how marriage is connected to the kind of male and female characters portrayed in the play. We can see from the use of clothes to disguise themselves to pretend they are someone else, to the way taming is portrayed to control other characters, how women were considered in that time. They were first court by lovely ways and in marriage they were treated as an inferior sex to them. Women were forced to deal with their husband in silent without saying anything to anyone. We can perceive that this play is just about social position to be able to marry who you want to be with. And most important, money is the main reason people got married in that time.
Elizabethan marriages “were frequently arranged so that both families involved would benefit. Marriages would be arranged to bring prestige or wealth to the family. Many couples would meet for the very first time on their wedding day! This particular Elizabethan custom usually applied to the nobility, but the married or religious life were the only real options for the Elizabethans (a career for a woman was absolutely unheard of!) Regardless of their social standing women and men were expected to marry.” (Alchin, 2012) It is evident love was the least important factor of marriage.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period marriage and love were idealized, divine and celebrated. Weddings were large events that included the entire families of both the groom and the bride. Reality was different; women were viewed as being fickle, inferior to men and a possession of men. Women had very little, if any, choice in who they would marry. Marriages were arranged so that both families would benefit in gaining wealth or power. Even though the ruler of England for over 4 decades was female, women were still not respected. Women were kept at home and not allowed to take place in public events. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, male and female relationships are displayed as deeply cynical and are based on lies, lust and political gain.
In the Elizabethian England years, it was considered a foolish act to marry for love; people believed that love might occur in a marriage. When a man wanted to marry, he had to tell his parents since they had wisdom on how to marry. A young man was supposed to let them look out for the one 's best interest, negotiate, and then recommend a marriage
Before the eighteenth century, marriage was far less complicated. Verbal consent and consumation constituted legal marriage: "once the knot was tied by such verbal exchanges it could not be undone: a valid marriage was technically indissoluble. Such vows could be made, moreover, by boys the age of fourteen and girls of twelve" (Outhwaite xiii).
During Shakespeare's time, the wedding and engagement rings indicated commitment. The rings Portia and Nerissa gave to Bassanio and Gratiano, that they were never to remove, were just that. "I give them with this ring, Which when you part from, lose, or give away, Let it presage the ruin of your love And be my vantage to exclaim on you" (3.2.171-4). The rings stood for the man's commitment to his wife just as rings Bassanio and Gratiano would give to Portia and Nerissa at their weddings would stand for the wives' commitment.
Marriages were arranged. Because girls lived such sheltered lives, they usually had never even met the men their fathers agreed for them to marry. Men were mostly in their twenties when they got married, the girls were usually 15.
“Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galatians 4:7 NLT
It was a beautiful Saturday morning on January 6. The winter air was crisp and the view was amazing. The soft salty scent from the ocean filled the air. Off the balcony on the second story of the Long Beach Yacht Club I could see the light swells of the Pacific Ocean. The small crashing of waves added to the peaceful instrumental background sounds as the ceremony was about to begin. January 6, my wedding date, was a day that changed the rest of my life.