Romeo And Juliet Gender Analysis

811 Words4 Pages
Within the Elizabethan time period, gender roles are often challenged by the inequality that surrounds them. Today, society views inequality as a big deal and many people fight to make sure that everyone is respected equally. However, the Elizabethan society viewed these issues much differently by showing little or no interest at all. Shakespeare uses gender inequality to his advantage within Romeo and Juliet by using many tools such as irony to further elaborate on this idea. To continue, it is shown early within the play that society, family, and history affect the actions that many of these characters are forced to make. However, it is shown throughout the play that Romeo and Juliet, male and female, are the ones that are affected the most…show more content…
Although, Shakespeare challenges the idea of whom a man truly is by pushing the flaws that Romeo is often characterized by and allowing the reader to determine if he would actually be considered a man in this society. His impulsiveness and women-like characteristics represent him as a character that makes decisions without knowing the consequences and in addition shows his carelessness in the sense of his masculinity. Robert Appelbaum further elaborates on this idea by stating that “masculinity is not a single thing [Romeo] can get a hold of, although [he] [is] constantly pressured to do so”. For example, when the Nurse finds Romeo “blubbering and weeping” she tells him to “stand an you be a man” and then further goes on to explain that he must “for [Juliet’s] sake, rise and stand” in which he eventually rises (3.3.87-89). Friar Laurence then speaks to Romeo and speaks that his “tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote” and further states he’s “unseemly woman in a seeming man” (3.3.109-112). These scenes only add to the idea that Romeo, a man, is going against the expectations of society by crying. These actions would not only disgrace the family name, if seen in public, but would label Romeo incapable of dealing with emotions which is exactly what Shakespeare attempts to prove. In collaboration with this statement, although a woman would still be ridiculed for their incapacity to handle their emotions, a man would feel a much greater effect due to their role in the
Show More
Related

  • Gender Appropriate Roles In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    853 Words  | 4 Pages

    In “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare takes time to analyze gender appropriate roles and their impact; both positive and negative on society. In this play, Shakespeare has created three vastly different male characters: Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt. To be able to further the thesis, character analysis as well as their impact is essential. Beginning with the plays main male character, Romeo, he is first introduced into the story as a young heartbroken man as Rosaline as just shattered his heart and apparently

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Patriarchy

    1982 Words  | 8 Pages

    to force women into submission as they were thought to be inferior through their role as the weaker gender. These ideologies were carried onto popular works of literature produced in this time. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet reflects this reality through his depiction of

    Read More

  • Friedrich Nietzsche: Wom God's Second Mistake?

    10705 Words  | 43 Pages

    Woman: God’s second mistake? Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, who regarded ‘thirst for power’ as the sole driving force of all human actions, has many a one-liners to his credit. ‘Woman was God’s second mistake’, he declared. Unmindful of the reactionary scathing criticism and shrill abuses he invited for himself, especially from the ever-irritable feminist brigade. The fact and belief that God never ever commits a mistake, brings Nietzsche’s proclamation dashingly down into the dust bin

    Read More

More about Romeo And Juliet Gender Analysis

Open Document