Romeo And Juliet Stereotypes

In the play Romeo and Juliet, many characters struggle with an emotional instability that leads them to making impulsive decisions that result in chaos. Shakespeare is able to combat certain gender stereotypes by making impulsivity and emotional instability problems within characters who are female and male. The results of these flaws are often either death or an outcome similar to it. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare challenges gender stereotypes by portraying both male and female characters as susceptible to emotional instability and impulsivity, which ultimately leads to chaotic outcomes, including death or similar tragic consequences.

In Romeo and Juliet, many characters struggle with little to no stability in their emotions. Mercutio,

The metaphorical meaning suggests that Mercutio is urging Tybalt to take immediate action “pluck the sword” and fight him. It implies a sense of urgency and warns Tybalt that if he doesn't act quickly, he will face consequences “mine be about your ears” before he has a chance to defend himself “ere it be out”. Another literary device used is diction, Mercutio insults Tybalt by referring to his scabbard as a pilcher.

Just moments before the fight Mercutio was joking and having fun, yet in almost a second he becomes a vengeful being. Even though Romeo is trying to calm Mercutio, Mercutio still holds onto the insults Tybalt said to Romeo. Mercutio is unable to hold back his anger toward Tybalt as well as his deadly loyalty and pride for Romeo. Mercutio’s wavering emotions are not only a threat to himself but also a threat to the safety and well-being of others around him. He is not able to control his emotions and the state of his happiness, and thus he leaves a path of destruction and chaos behind. Within this play, many men are unable to control their emotions, yet the men are not the only people who are emotionally unstable. Lady Montague’s emotional instability is most prominently shown in Act 5 when the audience learns that because of Romeo's exile, she has died of heartbreak. Montague is confronted by the prince who rushes him to the tomb where Juliet and Romeo lay, but Montague is hesitant, he says, “Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight. / Grief of my son's exile hath stopped her breath” (Romeo and Juliet, V.i 210-211). Lady Montague was unable to manage her sadness and pain because of Romeo’s exile in a healthy and