Romeo And Juliet Progressivism Analysis

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Recommended: Romeo’s character displays a courtly love

A Balancing Act Traditionalism versus progressivism: When should something stay the same and when does it need to change? This is a question that constantly plagues the modern day person. Numerous customs from decades ago drastically differ from the customs followed today, but there are traditions that have been passed from generation to generation still intact today as well. Although different traditions seem important enough to pass down, time may prove that they’re very outdated or downright wrong. Elizabethan Era customs play a big part in Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy that follows two secret lovers from rivaling families. Romeo and Juliet take great lengths to be together, even though they were constricted by various traditions, causing …show more content…

When Romeo deviated from normality by opting for peace against Tybalt, Mercutio was outraged at Romeo’s “calm, dishonorable, vile submission” and challenged Tybalt to duel him instead. (3.1.74). The fact that Romeo wouldn’t fight disgusted Mercutio, who got himself killed because he couldn’t accept the peace Romeo strived for. Romeo’s refusal to fight like an ordinary man and stop the violence inadvertently led to the death of Mercutio since Mercutio’s pride was too strong to allow Tybalt to insult them. Alongside Romeo’s personal tragedy, Juliet is also facing her own problem. She doesn’t want to marry Paris, making her father angry at her disobedience. She is powerless as her father threatens to let her “hang, beg, starve, die in the streets” (3.5.204). Lord Capulet was furious that Juliet wasn’t listening to him and was willing to go as far as disowning her. Consequently, she wouldn’t survive on her own because she is a woman. Despite the fact that she doesn’t act like a submissive woman, she is still treated like one, so when she gave her viewpoint on her life, she was instantly shut out. She was forced to agree with the marriage, but in reality, she knew she couldn’t marry Paris because her heart and her hand belonged to Romeo already. She rushes to Friar Lawrence for assistance. If her “heart with treacherous revolt/ Turn to another, [the knife] shall slay them both” (5.1.64-65). Juliet gave the Friar an ultimatum: help her escape or she’d kill herself. They came up with a hastily-made plan that relied on too much luck, which would undeniably assist in Romeo and Juliet’s suicides in the

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