Struggles In Romeo And Juliet

The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare takes us on a journey through love and death. It tells the story of how Romeo and Juliet’s love keeps them together through everything, even to their demise. Throughout this tale, Juliet faces struggles such as having a father who takes away her freedom and controls how she wants to live her life, causing many problems between Romeo and herself. Many women in this play have similar struggles where they are treated, and written, differently to the men. One of Juliet's caregivers, the nurse, is not treated with respect even though she is undoubtedly deserving. Lady Capulet as well faces many of the same challenges as Juliet does in terms of choice and freedom of will, often being spoken to as if she is also a child. Since this play is set in Elizabethan times, the women are often misunderstood and portrayed

Two characters that especially like to tease and insult the nurse are Mercutio (Romeo's friend) and Benvolio (Romeo's cousin). “Good. Peter, to hide her face, for her fans the fairer face.” (2.4.52-53) Is what Mercutio says to the nurse. In saying this he implies that she is extremely ugly and that she should use the fan (he implies is way more good-looking) to hide her ugly face and make her look more attractive. Mercutio is naturally witty, but he tends to tease her looks or age, and gender. Benvolio teases the nurse by saying “She will indite him to some supper” (2.5.65). He is teasing her because she had previously miss worded her comment to Romeo saying “I desire some conference with you” (2.5.64) meaning she would like to speak with Romeo. Benvolio takes her misstatement to his advantage and uses a word similar to want he intended to say, but not exactly correct. These two characters like to give the Nurse a hard time even though she is a very giving