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The decision of pursuing personal desire or choosing to conform is a conflict that every person in life experiences. In his play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare portrayed that the aforementioned conflict was existent in everyone’s life, and, depending upon what they chose, there would be corresponding repercussions. Shakespeare displays this conflict when the protagonist, Romeo, attends the ball, marries Juliet, and kills Tybalt.
Although he knew it was not wise to attend the Capulet ball, Romeo chose to do so anyway, carrying out his personal desire. “Romeo: And we mean well in going to this mask; But ’tis no wit to go.” (Act 1, scene 4, line 48-49). He was expected by his family to conform to the centuries of feuding with the Capulets, but he instead sought out the Capulet daughter, thus fulfilling his lust. In order to do this, he had to wear a mask to hide his
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identity as a Montague. Deception was a sacrifice Romeo had to make in order to pursue his desire. In abandoning his non-Montague facade, and expressing his thoughts about Juliet aloud, Romeo inflicted upon himself great issues as he was recognized as being a Montague. If Romeo did not attend the ball altogether, but rather conformed to what the Montagues wanted, the feud between the two families would not have been abolished. Shakespeare uses this example of Romeo pursuing his love for Juliet to depict the idea that when someone is faced with the inner conflict caused by having to choose between conforming and pursuing their personal desires, those that choose the latter will experience many sacrifices, but eventually they may bring about changes in society. Because of the ongoing feud between the Montagues and Capulets, Romeo was denied blessing in asking for Juliet’s hand in marriage from Lord Capulet, and hence was faced with a difficult decision; he could either yield to his family’s imposed will by not marrying Juliet altogether, or he could disregard the opinion of all others and marry Juliet in secret. Romeo decided on the latter. In doing so, he wreaked conflict among himself and his family. “Romeo: Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy Be heap’d like mine and that thy skill be more To blazon it, then sweeten thy breath This neighbour air, and let rich music’s tongue Unfold the imagined happiness that both Receive in either by this dear encounter.” (Act 2, scene 6, line 26-29). In taking Juliet's hand in marriage, the two experienced secrecy and furtiveness, wedding and meeting in private. They faced seclusion and a lack of support from family and friends. Furthermore, had he conformed to his family’s wishes and chosen to not marry Juliet, he would have found love with another woman eventually, and the Montague and Capulet feud would have abided. The author used this example to support his idea that by Romeo choosing to pursue personal desire rather than conforming to the norm, he would have to make sacrifices along the way but eventually this choice resulted in the norm being changed. When Romeo was first confronted by Tybalt, he simply chose to abide by what was expected of him and acted pleasantly towards him. “Romeo: Tybalt, the reason I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage…” (Act 3, scene 1, line 61-62). In doing so, Romeo seizing his motives in order to keep peace is portrayed. However, not long after this, Romeo came back to kill Tybalt, pursuing his personal desire and abandoning his efforts to do what his family expected. He was then banished. This was a sacrifice that he was willing to make as long as he was still alive, and it eventually led to the end of the feud between the two families. Had he chosen to conform to his family’s expectations, he would not have killed Tybalt, and the feud between the two families would have persisted. Through this example, William Shakespeare was supporting his idea that pursuing personal desires leads to temporary sacrifices but the overall result is good. Shakespeare developed the idea that the conflict between pursuing personal desire and choosing to conform will conclude with either a good result or a bad result. This motif that the author developed is shown capaciously through this example. In his play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare developed the idea that on the surface, when one is in a conflict between personal inclinations and the influence of society’s wishes, those who choose to follow their personal desires, will experience an undesirable outcome, and those who choose to conform will experience a good outcome.
Deeper down, however, the author demonstrated that sometimes when one does not conform to the social norm, but rather follows his own desires, they potentially cause a shift in the norm. Although it may have undesired consequences for the person in the short term, there may be benefits to society in the long run. It is through individuals following their own desires that society can be shaped. Shakespeare displayed this motif when the protagonist attended the Capulet ball, married Juliet, and when he killed Tybalt. The author demonstrates that when one commits an act of non-conformance, others will inevitably follow, though they may cause further repercussions. As these repercussions accumulate, it requires a change in the societal norm to eradicate
them.
Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a story of two young lovers. These two hearts, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet belong to feuding families. The family feud causes them to keep their love a secret and therefore only Romeo, Juliet, Benvolio, the Nurse and Friar Lawrence know of their love. Romeo and Juliet are able to look past the feud and let themselves fall in mad love with the other. They let themselves do almost anything for the other and at times it seems like too much to do, even for the one they love. Although fate and character traits play a key role in the play, ultimately Rome and Juliet’s personal choices lead to their downfall.Fate originates all of the conflicts in Romeo and Juliet, from when they met until they die.
In the Elizabethan period, woman of higher social classes were supposed to embody “obedience”(Gerlach et al. 1) and this is shown throughout the text. In the beginning of the book, Lady Capulet tells Nurse to summon Juliet, so she can inquire about her getting married. As Juliet enters the room she says,“Madam, I am here. What is your will?” (1.3.7). Here, we can see not only Nurse being obedient to Lady Capulet’s wishes, but also Juliet being obedient and going to her mother after she is summoned. Similarly, after a discussion with Count Paris, a noble man who seeks Juliet’s hand in marriage, Lord Capulet decides that Juliet will marry him and tells Lady Capulet to deliver the news to Juliet. Not happy with this, Juliet expresses her opposition
A person’s family may influence them substantially as they grow, from young children to love-struck teenagers. These family members might do so unintentually, but bad traits will rub off just as often as good ones, so will opinions and ideas. Lord Capulet is a character in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet who tries to make the best out of bad situations, but rarely succeeds and is coloured as quite a hypocrite. He attempts to not be blinded by hate but evidently this leads to many mistakes, usually ones he himself doesn’t end up making, but ones he leads others into. Lord Capulet’s bad parenting leads to the death of his daughter and her lover.
The negative life changing experiences they face are a leading cause for them to refuse acting in accord with the prevailing idealistic standards which their society conveys. David suffers a lot under the oppression of Joseph, who keeps him in check by the threat of unjust force and authority that he rebels to defy the oppression present in his society. Similarly, Romeo’s banishment opens his mind to what he is forced to sacrifice as a result of the feud. He discerns foolishness of the feud that causes him to lose Juliet as a result. This illustrates how both experiences alter their beliefs and open their minds to the ugly reality of society, and therefore plays an essential role in triggering their decision to conform to its standards. In both cases, these experiences are crucial in changing their views and swaying them to transform their stance on society. Similarly, Rosalind’s and Juliet’s experiences result in the same effect. Rosalind’s fear that one of the norms will find out about her mutation causes her rebuff their sudden affection. Her experience allows her to discern the fear of rejection others like her has to endure. Juliet’s arranged marriage to Paris prompts her to reject to act in accord with her parent’s wishes. Through her experience, she perceives how blind the families’ brawl causes them to be and restricts her life. This illustrates
When there is a fight in the market place, Capulet rushes to fight for his honor, “my sword I say, old Montague is come...” Capulet denies Paris’ request to marry Juliet “ and too soon marred are those so early made,” acting for his own good because he wants Juliet to produce many offspring to carry on the Capulets bloodline, since she is his only surviving child. When at the ball Capulet demands Tybalt to let Romeo be,” content thee, gentle coz, let him alone,” but this just fuels Tybalts anger towards Romeo, which eventually ends up in Tybalt causing his own death. Capulet believes he is giving his child the best when he announces her engagement to Paris” she shall be married to this noble earl,” and believes Paris will make a good husband for Juliet. When Juliet refuses Capulet thinks it best to threaten her, “I will drag thee,” but this just makes Juliet turn to more drastic measures.
Juliet as a Disobedient Wretch in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The quote that Lord Capulet said to Juliet, calling her a "disobedient" wretch" in Act III Scene 5. He enters the play delighted because he has good news that Juliet is going to marry Paris. Juliet refuses this and as soon as Juliet tells Lord Capulet this, he is furious.
to be a quite romantic person, as, to start with, he is in love with
Romeo and Juliet made many choices out of their own free will, including an irreversible decision that ended in despair for all characters. “All are punished!”(5.3.305). In the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, the actions of Romeo, the actions of Juliet, and the actions of others prove that free will is more paramount than fate in the plot of the play.
Through the flaws in the characterization of his characters, Shakespeare allows their weakness to manipulate and cloud their judgment. This fundamentally leads to the outcome of Romeo and Juliet, with each weakness presenting a conflict that alters the characters fate. Being especially true with the star-crossed lovers, William Shakespeare leads their perfect love into tragedy with these conflicts. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt all contribute to conflicts that enhance the plot. From destructive flaws in their characterizations, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt are all consequently controlled by their weakness, therefore affecting the outcome of the play.
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy of an ancient feud where the children of two families at war fall deeply in love with each other. Set in the 16th century William Shakespeare’s play has many different themes running throughout it, which include love, hate, death and conflict. The play opens with a fight but ends with suicide that creates peace between both families who unite from their losses. The conflict, violence and aggression in the play happen from revenge and an ancient family grudge. An audience from the 16th century would have enjoyed Romeo and Juliet because of the real life drama and tragedy the play goes through. The patriarchal society gave women absolutely no rights and they had to obey their man’s ordering a patriarchal system. The theme of conflict is revealed as the characters argue over Juliet’s disobedience.
In a society, social classes are always present – whether it was five hundred years ago or in present time. Social classes have always existed and will probably always exist. The question is whether social classes have an impact on the society of a little Italian town called Verona in the fifteenth century. Because one thing is for sure, compared to today norms, social classes and gender rolls in the story about Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet differs a lot.
The light and dark imagery that Shakespeare uses in this passage describes Juliet as a young and eager lover. Romeo associates Juliet with light meaning goodness. Then Romeo says that Juliet looks like the excellent night. The night that Romeo speaks of represents Rosaline. Romeo basically says through with light and dark imagery, that Juliet is as good as Rosaline to love. Romeo then compares Juliet to a "winged messenger of heaven" who filled with lightness and goodness. He says that all humans look upon this kindness as the messenger "bestrides the lazy puffing clouds" while doing his errands. Romeo explains using this imagery that everyone looks at Juliet because she gives off a stunning and intricate outlook.
Romeo and Juliet is a timeless tale of lovers who's misfortune and immaturity was a cause of their own destruction. The characters individually show immaturity and together demonstrate how ignorance of the world effects more than just their own lives. Romeo and Juliet, as expressed in the succeeding examples, fall in love quickly as a result of their naivety.
The societal roles and expectations forced upon Juliet regarding her identity impact her actions and decisions. Juliet’s expected contributions to society were based on her gender,her social class and family name, and her age.
A Psychological Analysis of Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet was obviously not written to fit the psychoanalytic model, as the theories of Freud were not developed for centuries after Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote about Renaissance England, a culture so heavily steeped in Christianity, that it would have blushed at the instinctual and sexual thrust of Freud’s theory. However, in order to keep literature alive and relevant, a culture must continually reinterpret the themes and ideas of past works. While contextual readings assure cultural precision, often these readings guarantee the death of a particular work. Homer’s Iliad, a monument among classical works, is currently not as renowned as Romeo and Juliet because it is so heavily dependent on its cultural context.