Gender Roles During The Elizabethan Era

Literature is commonly viewed as a dramatic reflection of societal views and beliefs. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet illustrates a quarrel between two fighting families, both of which are ruled by men, with two starcrossed lovers forbidden to wed due to their family’s fighting. Traditional societal views, such as the belief that men dominated society and women should submit to their husbands, influenced gender roles in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

During the Elizabethan Era, men were expected to be strong, dominant and were responsible for running society. Since society favorite men in all areas of life, men were given many opportunities. Sonia Benson illustrates some of the many privileges of men in her work, Daily Life in the Elizabethan