Gender Roles In Romeo And Juliet Essay

Ever since Elizabeathean time, gender roles have always played apart in society as they affect the rules and regulations between the genders—more particularly the women. They have always been treated as second class citizens, children, like those who cannot make their own decisions; thus must be controlled by the man. Patriarchal society has now become the norm as a result. Men were viewed as being superior to women; their leaders. Although throughout time the standards have changed as women have fought for equality, men are still provided with advantages compared to women in modern society. In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, and modern society, women are restricted and oppressed compared to men. Whether it is having a smaller pay than men for

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare reversed the stereotypical gender roles between the two star-crossed lovers in terms of the diction and imagery; however, this does not change the fact that Juliet was treated almost as a child and was restricted of her rights and voice throughout the play. Additionally, the men in the play were called “womanish” at points where they were vulnerable in the play, or showed emotion for that matter. This suggests women being inferior to men—as they are perceived as children, or weak. In response to Romeo’s breakdown over his banishment, the Friar tells him “Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art; the unreasonable fury of a beast. Unseemly woman in a seeming man! And an ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!” (3.3. 109-113.). Romeo being distraught after hearing his sentence, is an understandable reaction, for he will no longer be able to see his love, Juliet ever again. Men are supposed to show no emotion, and if they do are seen as weak; Friar calling him womanish refers back to the idea that women are weak, and inferior to men. From the beginning of the play, Juliet has constantly portrayed her strong opinion on disliking marriage. She wants to be free,

Although Juliet’s oppression was much more noticeable and severe, women in modern society are still faced with unfair treatment compared to men. Similarity, to Juliet being limited in her say for her marriage, a student at MIT University discovered that her male colleagues were given a larger workspace than her—simply because of her male-dominated major. Nevertheless, an article in the Wall Street Journal stated that she also discovered that her fellow female colleagues had noticed similar things; “Ms. Hopkins learned that [her female colleagues], too, had been snubbed, shut out from making decisions, denied resources and teaching opportunities, and earned salaries sometimes 40% less than those of their male colleagues.” (Cole). Despite Ms. Hopkins has attended a prestigious school, and one where those would think equality is valued, still faced discrimination due to her gender. Not only are women treated differently than men in an education environment, but have less job opportunities and lower pay as well—especially mothers. According to a Wall Street Journal news article, “Women already held more precarious positions in the work force —working fewer hours, for less money, with shorter tenures and in lower-ranking jobs than men. The loss of child care limited many working mothers’ hours and availability even