Romeo And Juliet Individual Vs Society Essay

Individuals vs. Society in Romeo and Juliet To become part of society or not to become part of society, that is the question. In the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet must answer the question of being an individual or letting society overcome them. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are star-crossed lovers that fight a patriarchal society that causes them to make the ultimate sacrifice to be in a world where their love is pertinent. Embracing individuality is favored in Romeo and Juliet causing secret meetings, a fear of morning, and lurking around tombs which reinforces the notions that isolation is necessary to be free and night provides safety. Generally, Romeo and Juliet’s actions lean towards individuality

For example, after Juliet meets Romeo she wants to “deny [her] father and refuse [her] name” (II.ii.33) just so she and Romeo can be together, and asserts that if she could be with Romeo she would be happy to “no longer be a Capulet.”(II.ii.36) Losing Capulet would isolate her from society, but freedom is more important to her. Juliet’s soliloquy expresses how she feels being an individual is more important than being a high member in society. During Juliet’s soliloquy, she is interrupted by Romeo and finds it unsettling that a man would be upon her balcony at night. She cries out that “What man art thou that, thus bescreened in night, so stumblest on my counsel?” (II.ii.52-53) thinking that it is nighttime and no man should have any business at her balcony. Juliet’s reaction to Romeo sneaking to her balcony shows how in the night, society is accustomed to people staying confined to their houses. When Juliet uses the word “stumblest” (II.ii.53) diction implies that only someone lost and confused would be at her house. Romeo goes to Juliet’s balcony at night because he sees night as isolation from society so he can be with Juliet. When Juliet warns Romeo of the guards, he confidently counters back that "I have night 's cloak to hide me from their sight." (II. ii. 75) Romeo personifies night having a cloak because cloaks are used to

Society’s perception of what is considered important and worth changing for is flawed because the only way for young people to make a change is to do something drastic. It is part of human nature to feel like being an individual is important, but most of humanity decides to go with the flow and easily slip into society 's cracks. Humanity needs more individuals like Romeo and Juliet that are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and dismiss society. As a final point, Shakespeare stresses how support of individuality is favored in Romeo and Juliet provoking ambiguous meetings, despair of morning, and sneaking around tombs, which reinforce the notions that isolation is necessary to be free and night provides safety and isolation. Romeo and Juliet talk about giving up society’s labels placed on them, use birds to express love, and fight for each other’s freedom and individuality. In the end, Romeo and Juliet make a lasting impact on the patriarchal society they are forced to live in while still staying strong individuals and