The gender role in Romeo and Juliet most likely differ from what you would imagine within the 16th century. Many things are different compared to a male and female. In the Elizabethan era, there was gender discrimination. This affected women more than men, they don’t have similar opportunities and are viewed as a lower class. They are treated and seen on a distinct level of perspective. Romeo and Juliet are contrary to their typical gender role, Romeo possesses feminine traits whereas Juliet shows a more masculine side.
Women were expected to behave like the stereotypes society created. They were considered as second rate, weaker than men, inferior and more as personal items. In the book, capulet’s servant Sampson claims,’’’Tis true, and therefore, …show more content…
He doesn’t address his situations like a man whatsoever. The Nurse says surprisingly,’’Oh, he is even in my mistress' case, just in her case.... lies she, blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering...stand, an you be a man.’’(Shakespeare 3.3.92-96). This literally screams that Romeo has a feminine side to him and cries over the horrible news instead of holding it together like a man should. With Romeo’s forward nature and Juliet's attractiveness of it, they became more intimate. Romeo surrenders his name for his affection to Juliet, even though it was non-standard, even in the guidelines of today. In the scenes with his beloved Juliet, his masculinity slowly disappears. Romeo allows Juliet to take over his consciousness and failed to prevent his best friend’s death. Only after Mercutio’s death, he realizes Juliet has affected his masculinity. Romeo puts the blame on Juliet for making him delicate and losing his masculinity. Romeo claims,’’O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made effeminate And in my temper softened valor’s steel.’’(Shakespeare 3.1.118-120). Romeo is emotionally unstable and allows it to take over his decisions. All his thoughts are clouded and he doesn’t make the proper choices. This doesn’t show his masculinity of being on top of things and having patience. This moreover, suggests how much more feminine he turn into. Mercutio’s advice was,’’If love is rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking and you beat love down.’’(Shakespeare 1.4.27-28). However, it doesn’t look like Romeo followed or even took the advice into his own hands. In the end, he has lost himself to love. Romeo takes the poison and dies
Women were expected to behave like the stereotypes society created. They were considered as second rate, weaker than men, inferior and more as personal items. In the book, capulet’s servant Sampson claims,’’’Tis true, and therefore, …show more content…
He doesn’t address his situations like a man whatsoever. The Nurse says surprisingly,’’Oh, he is even in my mistress' case, just in her case.... lies she, blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering...stand, an you be a man.’’(Shakespeare 3.3.92-96). This literally screams that Romeo has a feminine side to him and cries over the horrible news instead of holding it together like a man should. With Romeo’s forward nature and Juliet's attractiveness of it, they became more intimate. Romeo surrenders his name for his affection to Juliet, even though it was non-standard, even in the guidelines of today. In the scenes with his beloved Juliet, his masculinity slowly disappears. Romeo allows Juliet to take over his consciousness and failed to prevent his best friend’s death. Only after Mercutio’s death, he realizes Juliet has affected his masculinity. Romeo puts the blame on Juliet for making him delicate and losing his masculinity. Romeo claims,’’O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made effeminate And in my temper softened valor’s steel.’’(Shakespeare 3.1.118-120). Romeo is emotionally unstable and allows it to take over his decisions. All his thoughts are clouded and he doesn’t make the proper choices. This doesn’t show his masculinity of being on top of things and having patience. This moreover, suggests how much more feminine he turn into. Mercutio’s advice was,’’If love is rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking and you beat love down.’’(Shakespeare 1.4.27-28). However, it doesn’t look like Romeo followed or even took the advice into his own hands. In the end, he has lost himself to love. Romeo takes the poison and dies