In act 1, scene 3, Lady Capulet broaches with Juliet the question of marriage. The Nurse argues that Juliet is too young, but Juliet politely tells her mother that marriage would be "an honour." Consequently, Lady Capulet explains that "valiant Paris" seeks to marry Juliet and tells her that "this night you shall behold [Paris] at our feast." The ball, she says, offers Juliet an opportunity to examine Paris, see how he behaves towards Juliet and assess his character. Juliet says that she will "look to like" Paris. So, Juliet is going to the festivities with the object of assessing Paris; it offers her a chance to get to know him, given that her parents want her to marry him. However, it very much seems that Juliet is only going along with this because her mother wants it, and it is what is expected of her. The motivation is therefore rather more Lady Capulet's than Juliet's own.
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