Does Romeo And Juliet Relate To Constructs Of Today's Society?

Can a story from so long ago relate to constructs of today’s society? The text is Romeo and Juliet from Shakespearean times, written by Shakespeare himself. It is hard to believe that the rules that exist in this tale can possibly still stand today. However, in many cultures, the rules are present. The writing piece is Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The tale was told in a very different era, which shines through the story somewhat disturbingly. Culturally, people from his time were very hard on young girls and expected a lot of them, which is shown in the play. Also, pressures from several areas were on the youth of his society, and this is depicted in the text as well. Romeo and Juliet is primarily about how familial, social, and

The Capulets and Montagues have bloody hatred for each other. ‘Bloody’, as in they will literally physically harm each other. The two families have gotten in trouble with the prince for violently fighting in the public streets: “By thee, old Capulet, and Montague / Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets” (Prince, 1.1). This quote helps the reader understand the detestation between the Capulets and Montagues by demonstrating how they have gotten so worked up over each other that they can’t hold back from brawling in the streets. They even get the attention of the prince, and he has to tell them off for it. Additionally, throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet feel they would be miserable without each other, and they can’t be happy together because of their families. This is explicitly stated in this quote: “His name is Romeo, and a Montague, / The only son of your great enemy.” (Nurse, 1.5). This further demonstrates how their families are so blinded by their rage they inadvertently cause their own children’s death. Finally, the couple doesn’t believe their families would accept them if they knew about their love. This is shown in this quote: “Deny thy father and refuse thy name!” (Juliet, 2.2) The excerpt reveals that the teenagers believe that their families' love for them is conditional, and they must remove themselves from their names in order to be together. This tells the

Juliet isn’t really allowed to go off by herself. This correlates to her death because she is disallowed from going out and finding love as Romeo did with Juliet as well as Rosaline. This idea is shown with this quote, as it shows how Juliet is not allowed to run around with other teenagers. The context for this passage is that Romeo is in Juliet’s bedroom and Juliet is getting nervous that someone will see them. She says, “Some say the lark makes sweet division / This doth not so, for she divideth us.” (Juliet, 3.5). The lark is used as a metaphoric tool to separate the two. Next, Juliet is expected to be obedient to her father for life. After Juliet tells her father her feelings about marrying Paris, he reprimands her, calls her a “disobedient wretch” and demands her to “get thee to church o’ Thursday, / Or never after look me in the face.” (Capulet, 3.5). This is a direct example of Juliet’s seemingly abusive relationship with her father. This also demonstrates a social norm that Juliet must conform to because she’ll be shunned by her father simply for not wanting to marry a man she barely knows. Lastly, Juliet is essentially shopped for by Paris. He brings it up with Capulet, and asks permission for Juliet’s hand in marriage, without consulting Juliet. He also feels entitled to marry Juliet, which is conveyed in this quote: “Younger than she are happy mothers made.” (Paris, 1.2) This is