Romeo And Juliet Gender Roles

Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene I Analysis: Gender, Dominance, and Violence Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is perhaps one of the most readily recognized plays of all time. While it is most well known as a tragic love story, there are many underlying themes and symbols in the play that subtly shape the reader’s perceptions of the characters and the environment in Verona. In Act 1 Scene 1 of the play a foundation is built through the dialogue, actions, props, and stage directions of and pertaining to the characters; that explains the deeply embedded structure of the familial conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets, the constructs and behavioral expectations surrounding gender, and how these ideals shape life in Verona. Act I

Shouldn’t maids and servants be regarded similarly in society if both their jobs require them to follow and act on the demands of others? While servants and maids are both submissive roles to more powerful individuals, Samson regards himself as above the maids. This means that the ranking systems for men and women in terms of status in this society are completely separate entities all together; and that even as a lowly servant Samson’s status as a male still allows him to be superior to women in similar roles. In other words, while the jobs are comparable in their level of prestige, the social capital that servants and maids possess is hugely different because of the constructs and limitations associated with being a woman. As a servant, Samson is still able to possess noble masculine qualities like aggression and bravery. However women regardless of their status are unable to escape feminine qualities that are beyond their control. In this case, the weaknesses associated with femininity that are introduced in this scene are physical weakness and vulnerability to attack. More specifically, sexual assaults that would destroy the main form of social capital that is available to all women regardless of their class: their