Romeo And Juliet Change Essay

A Moment of Change

Set beliefs such as certain races being superior to others and restrictions on women's rights have influenced people's roles in society for centuries. These moral obligations result in a lack of individualism and a desire for what people believe they are entitled to. In the play Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare depicts the dangers of both pursuing self-independence and blindly adhering to traditions. When Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers from feuding families, embark on a journey of maturation, their forbidden romance evolves into an overpowering love that transcends society's values and beliefs. In their attempt to defy public expectations, an imbalance between their desires and societal standards breeds both brutality

Shakespeare emphasizes how branching out from ideological isolation learned in youth can lead to unorthodox principles. At the Capulet's party, Romeo catches Juliet's attention and takes the initiative to pursue her by kissing her twice, to which Juliet responds, “You kiss by th’ book” (Shakespeare I.v.116). Shakespeare implies the upbringing of both Romeo and Juliet, as her comment shows both the lack of Juliet’s experience and Romeo’s absence of ingenuity. Juliet observes how Romeo kisses like an unoriginal, classic book of courtly love, but also hints that a book of courtly love is all Juliet has ever known. Shakespeare makes it evident that marriages and meeting spouses in this century were decisions made to benefit the family, but Romeo and Juliet’s intimacy in this scene shows a defiance and a shift in their outlook on this

In an attempt to help Juliet recover from the grief of her dead cousin, and secure her social advancement, Lord Capulet quickly marries her off to the noble and wealthy, Paris. As she refuses to marry Paris while keeping her love for Romeo hidden, she angers Lord Capulet as he exclaims: “Hang thee young baggage! disobedient wretch! / I told thee what - get thee to church a Thursday / Or never after look me in the face” (Shakespeare III.v.164-166). Lord Capulet’s shortsightedness unleashes violent behavior, as he feels threatened that Juliet no longer shows reverence as she defies his authority. Shakespeare emphasizes the societal ideology of patriarchal power placed on men in the family, as Juliet’s will and heart are not taken into consideration. By telling Juliet to go to “church” with negative connotation, he is implying that her refusal has made her unholy and she must go get married at the church to become clean. Capulet’s belief in his preconceived moral obligations and his disregard for Juliet’s feelings eventually lead to her death. Shortly after in Act 5, once Romeo receives word of Juliet’s death, he buys himself poison and rushes over to her grave and declares, “Here’s to my love! Drinks. O true apothecary! / The drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (Shakespeare V.iii.119-120). Romeo constantly finds himself caught between