Examples Of Masculinity In Romeo And Juliet

What does it mean to be masculine, and is there an actual definition of masculinity? Depending on the time period, the answer changes to both of these questions. The denotation of masculinity is having traits traditionally attributed to men. But what are these traits? In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare shows many kinds of men that vary on the spectrum of masculinity. Due to societal pressure, men craved to be the perfect balance of both chivalrous as well as courageous and strong. Being considered ‘effeminate’ was diminishing to one’s sense of self-image. Shakespeare makes it so no man in Romeo and Juliet displays ‘perfect’ qualities. Although Shakespeare shows varying extremes of flawed man, represented by Romeo and Tybalt,

he also implies through Friar Lawrence and the Nurse’s advice to Romeo what a “proper man” should be.
Both Romeo and Tybalt show two varying extremes on the spectrum of masculinity, but neither proves to be an ideal man.

At the Capulet’s masquerade ball, Tybalt spies an uninvited guest: Romeo. Tybalt became enraged and says, “This, by his voice, should be a Montague.— /Fetch me my rapier, boy./What dares the slave/Come hither covered with an antic face/To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?/Now, by the stock and honor of my kin,/To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin” (I. v. 61- 67). Tybalt’s eagerness to fight shows a toxic side of masculinity. In order to protect his reputation as ‘tough guy’, he’s unreasonably aggressive. Tybalt doesn’t think about the consequences of his actions, and Mercutio’s nickname for him, the “Prince of Cats”, fits with his inclination to pounce on anyone who gets on his nerves. He is the personification of hate. These traits eventually lead to his death, portraying that Shakespeare believed these qualities were unbearable. After Tybalt’s death, the Friar tells Romeo of his exile from Verona, and Romeo goes into a state of panic and depression. He believes that Juliet hates him because he killed Tybalt and pleads to Friar Lawrence, “O, tell me, friar, tell me,/In what vile part of this anatomy/Doth my name lodge? tell me, that I may sack/The hateful mansion” (III. iii. 115 - 117). After his exile from Verona, Romeo threatens to kill himself because he’s afraid Juliet won’t love him anymore. His irrational behaviour shows the reader who Romeo is:

emotional, passionate, and somewhat rash in his decisions. Romeo’s characterization as the stark opposite of Tybalt leads the reader to conclude that Romeo is the personification of love. Though Romeo eventually becomes self aware of his own masculinity and kills Tybalt, Shakespeare insinuates that Romeo’s emotions led to his eventual death. It may have been his fate, but his lack of mental strength pushed him to end his life. Both Tybalt and Romeo, though complete opposites, represent the flaws of man and hyper masculinity.
Through Friar Lawrence’s and the Nurse’s advice to Romeo they state the qualities that make a proper man, especially for that time.

The Nurse goes to find Romeo before he had to leave for Mantua. She came to tell him to comfort Juliet, but she finds him in a state of disarray. She says, “O woeful sympathy!/Piteous predicament!/.../Stand up, stand up. Stand an you be a man./For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand” (III. iii. 96-97). When seeing Romeo’s state, the Nurse compares him to Juliet in his demeanor. Not only does that reduce Romeo’s self esteem and make him feel effeminate, but the reader also sees how the Nurse characterizes a good man. For the Nurse, a good man takes initiative and will go to Juliet to make her feel safe. Hence, if he can’t make Juliet happy, then he is not a proper man. The Friar agrees with her and tries to make Romeo behave like a proper man once again. He reprimands, “Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,/Digressing from the valour of a man/...Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love,/Misshapen in the conduct of them both,/” (III. iii. 136 - 141) In addition to the Nurse’s comments, Friar Laurence is also insinuating what Shakespeare thought a ‘proper man’ should be like. He states that a proper man has qualities such as courage, intelligence, and charm. However, due to Romeo’s rash demeanor, he’s losing those qualities. The Friar states that Romeo is “but a form of wax”, implying that Romeo is but a statue without any of the honor of

a real man. The language highlights that what makes a man isn’t solely his traits - it’s how he carries himself and presents himself with honor. Since Romeo is so impaired with bad news, he’s lost his honor, his mind, and his courage, all in the course of an hour. Ultimately, Shakespeare doesn’t give the reader the perfect male figure, so he tries to shows those qualities through the words of other characters.
Shakespeare’s use of Friar Lawrence and the Nurse in order to convey ‘proper masculinity’ gives the reader a sense of gender roles at that time. In the 16th century, the ideal man had to be charming and take care of his wife while also being brave and willing to fight others off. Shakespeare suggests that being too masculine is toxic, but being too emotional reduces one’s self - status. Even now, societal expectations for men haven’t changed much. However, in today’s day and age, more and more men are stepping out of societal norms and embracing their true selves. As Vincent D’Onofrio said, “The definition of true masculinity...is being able to lay in your own skin comfortably”.