Romeo and Juliet and David Copperfield: A Comparison
Family relationships are key to both ‘Romeo and Juliet’ written by William Shakespeare in the sixteenth century and ‘David Copperfield’ written by Charles Dickens in the nineteenth century. Both are set in patriarchal societies which seem to demonstrate changing relationships in families caused by a dominant, authoritarian man; presented through events, speeches and language choices.
In both dramas the ‘parent and child’ relationships are key to the storylines. Both fathers threaten their (step)child. In David Copperfield in the beating scene David has been sent to learn his arithmetic and then come back to Mr. Murdstone for a test, if he doesn’t answer correctly; David will be beaten. Mr. Murdstone “gave the cane another poise, and another switch” This shows Mr. Murdstone doesn’t care about David. It is not because he might beat him that I suggest this, as this was very common in the nineteenth century even Mr. Murdstone admits “I have been often flogged myself” it is because he is intimidating David, “poise and switch” suggests that he holds the cane up in the air, then sharply brings it down. This is showing David that he knows how to use it, and if he is practising, he is certain that he is going to use it on David, showing little faith in his arithmetic skills. . The quote shows Mr. Murdstone does not care about David because he is being malicious by threatening him. By doing it in front of the whole household, he is showing David that because everyone can see him doing it, that it is acceptable for him to do so and if they can all accept it, he should too. When reading this scene in the twenty-first century, we disagree with the cane as punishment as a society. This is because a law was instated that made corporal punishment illegal as it was seen as inhumane. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is confessing her distaste to her engagement to Paris, and that she would rather marry a family enemy. Her father is very pleased that she and Paris are soon to be wed, so
In both dramas the ‘parent and child’ relationships are key to the storylines. Both fathers threaten their (step)child. In David Copperfield in the beating scene David has been sent to learn his arithmetic and then come back to Mr. Murdstone for a test, if he doesn’t answer correctly; David will be beaten. Mr. Murdstone “gave the cane another poise, and another switch” This shows Mr. Murdstone doesn’t care about David. It is not because he might beat him that I suggest this, as this was very common in the nineteenth century even Mr. Murdstone admits “I have been often flogged myself” it is because he is intimidating David, “poise and switch” suggests that he holds the cane up in the air, then sharply brings it down. This is showing David that he knows how to use it, and if he is practising, he is certain that he is going to use it on David, showing little faith in his arithmetic skills. . The quote shows Mr. Murdstone does not care about David because he is being malicious by threatening him. By doing it in front of the whole household, he is showing David that because everyone can see him doing it, that it is acceptable for him to do so and if they can all accept it, he should too. When reading this scene in the twenty-first century, we disagree with the cane as punishment as a society. This is because a law was instated that made corporal punishment illegal as it was seen as inhumane. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is confessing her distaste to her engagement to Paris, and that she would rather marry a family enemy. Her father is very pleased that she and Paris are soon to be wed, so