Honour
Shakespeare consistently throughout the play makes reference to and emphasises the importance of the code of honour and reputation. He shows how vital these themes to the plot and how much they influence the play up till the tragic ending; for example, the different social ranks banding together to fight the opposing family or when Tybalt wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel. The need to defend and uphold their family reputation and honour results in the many tragedies and deaths seen in the play.
The first time the theme honour is introduced is in the opening scene, Act 1 Scene 1. This is where each of the different ranks in the hierarchy, from servants to Lords, joins in to fight against the other family, for their honour. Lord Capulet says ‘My sword…old …show more content…
Lord Capulet and County Paris conversation in Act 1, Scene 2 is evidence that increasing one’s social rank and maintaining their social circle is important. ‘ripe to be a bride’ suggest that Paris wishes to marry Juliet and is simply asking for his permission to ask. County only a tad bit higher in the social hierarchy, however, not until Act 3 Scene 4, where County Paris starts to show disinterest in marrying Juliet. Lord Capulet began to desperately negotiate emphasising how important it is for him and his family for Juliet to get married to a suitor of his rank. This further emphasises the influence of honour and reputation on character portraying regal and powerful characters as desperate and needy and the significance of it during the Elizabethan times. This influence in turn contributes to the death of Romeo and Juliet as they begin to feel pressured to get away and be together forever. This pushes Juliet to seek help from the Friar and obtain a liquid that puts her in a death like
Shakespeare consistently throughout the play makes reference to and emphasises the importance of the code of honour and reputation. He shows how vital these themes to the plot and how much they influence the play up till the tragic ending; for example, the different social ranks banding together to fight the opposing family or when Tybalt wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel. The need to defend and uphold their family reputation and honour results in the many tragedies and deaths seen in the play.
The first time the theme honour is introduced is in the opening scene, Act 1 Scene 1. This is where each of the different ranks in the hierarchy, from servants to Lords, joins in to fight against the other family, for their honour. Lord Capulet says ‘My sword…old …show more content…
Lord Capulet and County Paris conversation in Act 1, Scene 2 is evidence that increasing one’s social rank and maintaining their social circle is important. ‘ripe to be a bride’ suggest that Paris wishes to marry Juliet and is simply asking for his permission to ask. County only a tad bit higher in the social hierarchy, however, not until Act 3 Scene 4, where County Paris starts to show disinterest in marrying Juliet. Lord Capulet began to desperately negotiate emphasising how important it is for him and his family for Juliet to get married to a suitor of his rank. This further emphasises the influence of honour and reputation on character portraying regal and powerful characters as desperate and needy and the significance of it during the Elizabethan times. This influence in turn contributes to the death of Romeo and Juliet as they begin to feel pressured to get away and be together forever. This pushes Juliet to seek help from the Friar and obtain a liquid that puts her in a death like