Romeo and Juliet
What is the role of women during this time period?
The role of women in this time period was not to be a person in their own rights, but to be a wife and to be a mother to their children. Women had a certain place in society, and they were expected to meet their expectations and to play their part to their full potential. During the time of Shakespeare women lived in a male dominated society. Women in this period had virtually no legal power and lost all right to own all personal property when they married. Men were expected to be the heads of the households. Once a boy turned eight he no longer was required to obey his mother. The ideal woman was believed to be a virgin and a faithful wife. Female honor and social respect were tied closely to sexuality in some cases death was a consequence as preferable to the loss of female sexual abstention.
In Romeo and Juliet, women have minor roles in the society. They are expected to be obedient and follow their men and their families. For example, Lady Capulet and Lady Montague can do nothing to stop their husbands’ anger to their enemies. Lady Montague doesn't care much about the feud between two families as she doesn't want Romeo involved in the fighting. If she would have tried to convince her Capulet to put a stop to the feud, Romeo and Juliet could of lived in peace and Capulet would not have forced Juliet to marry Paris, knowing that she was already married. Therefore, the situations leading to suicide would not have occurred.
Women belonged to their husbands, and had little freedom, almost none from their husbands or parents. Shakespeare shows this type a situation through the character Juliet and her role in society as a young girl supposed to be growing into the expectations of women. Juliet's characteristic is a clear example of women's role. She has little guidance and help from her family. Juliet is expected to marry Paris as her parents decided. The death of her at the end can be known as a punishment
The role of women in this time period was not to be a person in their own rights, but to be a wife and to be a mother to their children. Women had a certain place in society, and they were expected to meet their expectations and to play their part to their full potential. During the time of Shakespeare women lived in a male dominated society. Women in this period had virtually no legal power and lost all right to own all personal property when they married. Men were expected to be the heads of the households. Once a boy turned eight he no longer was required to obey his mother. The ideal woman was believed to be a virgin and a faithful wife. Female honor and social respect were tied closely to sexuality in some cases death was a consequence as preferable to the loss of female sexual abstention.
In Romeo and Juliet, women have minor roles in the society. They are expected to be obedient and follow their men and their families. For example, Lady Capulet and Lady Montague can do nothing to stop their husbands’ anger to their enemies. Lady Montague doesn't care much about the feud between two families as she doesn't want Romeo involved in the fighting. If she would have tried to convince her Capulet to put a stop to the feud, Romeo and Juliet could of lived in peace and Capulet would not have forced Juliet to marry Paris, knowing that she was already married. Therefore, the situations leading to suicide would not have occurred.
Women belonged to their husbands, and had little freedom, almost none from their husbands or parents. Shakespeare shows this type a situation through the character Juliet and her role in society as a young girl supposed to be growing into the expectations of women. Juliet's characteristic is a clear example of women's role. She has little guidance and help from her family. Juliet is expected to marry Paris as her parents decided. The death of her at the end can be known as a punishment