Comparing Relationships in Romero and Juliet and Great Expectations.

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No novels boast more about varied and unique character relationships than Great Expecta-tions by Charles Dickens and Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare. This essay will serve to analyse three different relationships in both novels, paying special attention to the quali-ties that each uphold. ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ include many relation-ships between many characters whether it is friendship or a martial relationship. One of the main relationships that are portrayed in both stories is martial relationship. Through-out Great Expectations, Dickens explores the class system of Victorian England and how re-lationships are inevitably created despite the barriers that separate people into high and low social classes. In Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ the social, religious and political aspects of the Elizabethan Era clearly were an influence on the play. For example, religion was involved with politics and there was a small percentage of the wealthy and a large percentage of those who were poor. In the play, the Capulet’s and the Montague’s were amongst the small population of wealthy families and at the time were portrayed as the most important families of Verona. Such a hierarchy was very common in Elizabethan times, with the wealthiest families. The importance of relationships in both stories is crucial as it is central to the plot. The love relationship between Romeo and Julie shows how the love across the battle lines ends the battle. Without the love, there'd be just the battle. Relationships are important in both novels as they are the turning points.

Our classic idea of romantic love is embodied in Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare presents this as a force of nature, so strong that it transcends societ...

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...is daughter. However the audi-ence of Elizabethan times would be shocked by her father’s decision, and how protective he is over Juliet. This shows the relationship between Juliet and her father, at this point, is very strong. Lord Capulet says to Paris ‘woo her’ at the Capulet ball therefore it’s not portrayed as a forced marriage, and thus Juliet will be able to develop feelings towards Paris, in order for the marriage to work out smoothly. By saying that Juliet is the ‘hopeful lady of my earth’ shows how special their bond is through the metaphor earth. By doing this he is comparing her to everything there is. ‘Hopeful’ gives the impression that he has many expectations of her and that she is of use to him. Capulet continues to say that "my will to her consent" which emphasises his deep, caring nature as he feels that Juliet is yet a "stranger to society’.

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