illiam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is a play about two star-crossed lovers who suffer a grisly fate, of happy never after. It is a story of rivalry, in the ancient Greek society and the tragic romances therein created. The existent rules of this highly patriarchal society prohibit these two lovers from being together. They are nevertheless determined to do everything in their power to be together, and by this, they go against the society. It is historical and cultural change and how the society responds and treats those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Romeo, in the play is a young adolescent, who has not made sense of the world around him. He is young and ignorant individual who believes he …show more content…
From family feuds, to the way even one wins a woman, the general opinion of being male was to engage in feuds, violence, sexual domination, and conquest (Thomas, 2013).Simpson confirms this when he says “draw if you be men” (1.1.62), suggesting that one is less a man if they do not respond to a fight. However, Romeo does not subscribe to this portrayed masculinity. He instead is more feminine and submissive, writing romantic poems and longing for love.
Women in this society are the opposite of men; they are objects to be conquered and possessed. Their voices do not count, their roles include pleasing their parents, getting married, and bearing children. (Thomas, 2013).They have no chance to be dependent and their opinions do not matter. Juliet’s mother says, “Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, /are already made mothers. By my count, /I was your mother much upon this years” (1.3.70-72).
The play portrays changing gender roles for the men and women. The main characters defy the laid down norms on the expected behavior. For instance, when Juliet’s father tries to marry her off to Paris she defies something not common with the women here. In her interaction with Romeo, she is not shy. In fact she dominates much of the conversation, leading the relationship on “if that thy bent be honorable, / Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow”
William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is a play about two star-crossed lovers who suffer a grisly fate, of happy never after. It is a story of rivalry, in the ancient Greek society and the tragic romances therein created. The existent rules of this highly patriarchal society prohibit these two lovers from being together. They are nevertheless determined to do everything in their power to be together, and by this, they go against the society. It is historical and cultural change and how the society responds and treats those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Romeo, in the play is a young adolescent, who has not made sense of the world around him. He is young and ignorant individual who believes he …show more content…
From family feuds, to the way even one wins a woman, the general opinion of being male was to engage in feuds, violence, sexual domination, and conquest (Thomas, 2013).Simpson confirms this when he says “draw if you be men” (1.1.62), suggesting that one is less a man if they do not respond to a fight. However, Romeo does not subscribe to this portrayed masculinity. He instead is more feminine and submissive, writing romantic poems and longing for love.
Women in this society are the opposite of men; they are objects to be conquered and possessed. Their voices do not count, their roles include pleasing their parents, getting married, and bearing children. (Thomas, 2013).They have no chance to be dependent and their opinions do not matter. Juliet’s mother says, “Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, /are already made mothers. By my count, /I was your mother much upon this years” (1.3.70-72).
The play portrays changing gender roles for the men and women. The main characters defy the laid down norms on the expected behavior. For instance, when Juliet’s father tries to marry her off to Paris she defies something not common with the women here. In her interaction with Romeo, she is not shy. In fact she dominates much of the conversation, leading the relationship on “if that thy bent be honorable, / Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow”