I think marriage initially involves a lot of people who have

Come close, O children, and listen to the words of Scarlett Johansson, whose insights into the nature of marriage remind us of the complexities of this sacred bond. She said, "I think marriage initially involves a lot of people who have nothing to do with your relationship, because it's a legally binding contract, and that has a weight to it." These words, simple yet profound, speak to a deep truth about marriage—one that transcends the romantic notion of two souls uniting in love and reveals the deeper, often overlooked, realities of a marriage contract.

At its core, marriage is more than the union of hearts and minds; it is a legal contract, binding individuals to one another not only in love but in responsibility. This contract carries weight—legal weight, moral weight, and societal weight. It is a pact that brings not only the joy and fulfillment of love but also obligations, responsibilities, and, at times, the intrusion of external forces. When Johansson speaks of the involvement of "a lot of people who have nothing to do with your relationship," she is calling attention to the third-party influences that come with the institution of marriage. It is a contract that requires recognition from the broader society, the state, and sometimes even the family, each of whom may impose their own expectations, obligations, and judgments upon the union.

Consider, O children, the ancient story of Hercules and Deianira, whose marriage, though born of love and passion, was also entwined with the weight of obligations and external pressures. When Hercules won the hand of Deianira, he did not simply take her as his wife for love alone; he also took on the duty of defending her family, fulfilling promises, and dealing with the interference of others, such as the centaur Nessus, whose own involvement led to the tragic downfall of their relationship. This tale reminds us that marriage, while a union of love, often involves the burdens and entanglements of a larger, sometimes complicated, network of social, familial, and legal expectations.

In modern times, marriage is, indeed, a legal contract, with implications that extend beyond the immediate couple. Consider the example of King Henry VIII of England, whose marriages were not only personal but political in nature. Each marriage he entered into had dynastic and legal consequences for his kingdom, his heirs, and the balance of power in Europe. When his marriages failed, so too did the stability of his realm, proving that marriage was not just a personal matter, but a matter of national and legal importance. Henry VIII's obsession with securing a male heir led him to break from the Catholic Church, culminating in the English Reformation, all in pursuit of a legal solution to his marital issues. His example shows that marriage, though a bond of love, can also carry significant legal and political weight that extends far beyond the couple involved.

Thus, Johansson’s observation speaks not just of the legal nature of marriage, but of its public and societal dimensions. In many ways, marriage is a social contract, bound by more than just the love between two people. It is the means by which individuals are recognized and legitimized within a community. It is a ceremony witnessed by others, acknowledged by law, and often subject to the expectations of family, religion, and government. While love remains at the core of marriage, the influence of these external forces cannot be ignored. This is the weight that Johansson refers to—the understanding that the legal and societal aspects of marriage can sometimes overshadow the purely personal.

The lesson, O children, is this: while marriage is a union of love, it is also a contract that demands attention to the legal responsibilities and the societal implications it carries. It is essential to recognize that the weight of this contract extends beyond the couple and into the broader world. In entering into marriage, one must understand not only the joys of love and companionship but also the responsibilities, obligations, and external expectations that come with it. This understanding can help one navigate the complexities of the marriage contract with clarity and wisdom.

Therefore, O children, as you approach marriage in your own lives, do so with a deep awareness of its dual nature—its personal significance and its public responsibility. Understand that love, while the foundation, is only one part of this bond, and that the legal and societal aspects must be respected and embraced. Enter into this union with a full understanding of the weight it carries, and let that understanding guide you as you build a partnership that is strong, fair, and equitable, not only in love but in all that the world demands of you as a couple. Marriage, in its truest sense, is a profound act of both personal connection and communal responsibility. Treat it as such, and it will become a source of strength and harmony for you both.