Romeo And Juliet Social Expectations Essay

Romeo and Juliet Essay

Shakespeare examines the restrictive aspect of social expectations in Romeo and Juliet, showing how the restrictions placed by family, honour, and social norms prevent the lovers from expressing their love and ultimately lead to the terrible fate of the young lovers.

Firstly, there are expectations and feuds from their respective familles. Secondly, there is societal pressure in Verona, as the two lovers were going against societal norms. Finally, honour and reputation was very important to people back in the time of Shakespeare, as is today. All of these points lead to the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet.

Body Paragraph 1: Expectations and feuds from their families

Romeo and Juliet's relationship is severely

It makes it difficult for them to openly declare their love for one another and makes it harder for them to try to be together. Due to the persistent hatred and tension between the two families, Romeo and Juliet find it difficult to publicly pursue their relationship. This is represented by the quote: "My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.” - Juliet Act 1 Scene 4. This represents the initial reaction that Juliet has when discovering that Romeo is from the Montague family. Furthermore, Juliet requests and complains to Romeo on why he is a montague and if he can change: "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a

I slew the fiery Tybalt, Juliet's kin” - Romeo Act 3, Scene 1. In this scene, Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin as a result of the feud between the families, Romeo does this to avenge Mercutio's death. During this time period, honour was a very important thing to people, even more than today. People fought for the honour of their families by risking their lives, proved by Romeo’s actions. This pressure to do something about the death of his friend leads him to make a decision that complicates the two lovers’