Analysis of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Analysis of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet is a tragic 16th century Shakespearean love story set

in the Italian city of Verona. The life of a father and daughter in

our lifetime at the moment would vary considerably from the one

Capulet and Juliet lead in the play.

In the 16th century women were expected to do many things for men.

Men’s expectations for women in the 16th century were that they

cleaned the house looked after the children and were treated as second

class citizens. Men expected women to obey them and do anything they

say if the women disobeyed the men they would subject to punishment in

the version of getting hit in those days because there wasn’t strict

law and order in those days. So if a women married a man they would

become the sole property of their husband. In the 16th century the

father was the man of the household who would finalise everything.

When they’re daughter was around 14 the father would chose who she

would be married to, but as in the play some daughters didn’t feel

that their fathers choice was correct and if they turned down his

offer they would also be subject to punishment. The rejection of their

father’s choice would also make their fathers feel hurt because his

daughter had rejected his offer of happiness, the father also feels

that his daughter is not proud of her parents and doesn’t thank them.

In the play Capulet wants Juliet to have a good life and thinks he’s

chosen the right type of man for his daughter .He believes that Paris

will give her a stable life. Increase the reputation of his family

because Paris has class and is a well-known celebrity who when people

...

... middle of paper ...

... a bride”. This

shows that he is loving because he is saying to Paris she is only

young and just turned 14 give her two more years and you can marry

her. Although he says this to Paris when his daughter disagrees with

his choice he doesn’t accept her reason or anything he just keeps

having a go at her. Whatever reason Juliet gives her father will not

accept her reason and keeps forcing her to chose Paris.

In conclusion I believe that in the 16th century daughter, father

relationships were very different from nowadays. Nowadays the daughter

has the freedom to do as she pleases apart from in some certain

religions where the marriage is organised between 2 people before they

can walk. So in most of the world today women have a free right but in

some areas they have stuck to the old fashion way of arrange

marriages.