How does Shakespeare present the relationship between the older and younger generations in Romeo and Juliet?

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Natasha Williams 10E

How does Shakespeare present the relationship between the older and younger generations in Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo and Juliet is perhaps one of Shakespeare’s famous plays that has influenced us for centuries. Williams Shakespeare’s talent for instilling passion in an audience via words and action is aided by the way in which he presented and developed his characters. Exterior influences shaped his work due to the societal attitudes and effects that events would have on the audience at the time. Italy, as we know it, was a major influence on the formation of this tragedy, as many of its communities were divided, with concordant views from that of the Catholic Church. Verona, in which the play is set, held this view in particular and, as such, it seems that Romeo and Juliet ‘attacks’ this religious sect, which is largely evident due to the interwoven theme of religion. Italian influences also include the source that Shakespeare is likely to have used: “Giulietta e Romeo”, which is a novel written by an Italian author, Matteo Bandello, in 1554.

Although Shakespeare’s portrayal of Verona is a patriarchal society, it is clear that the women have some state of control, even if it is not immediate obvious. For example, when Romeo is moping due to his unrequited love for Rosaline, at the beginning of the play, that gives her a certain strength in that she is controlling his emotions, all be it passively. This shows a slight dominance of the women over men, which is very much a subversive attitude towards the patriarchal society that has already been made obvious to the audience. However, it is this irony that makes Romeo and Juliet so effective. Shakespeare’s use of juxtaposition and cynicism accentuates the serious matters at hand. For example, the meeting of Romeo and Juliet is incongruous with Tybalt’s rage. However, this gives the effect that is pleasing to an audience.          

Following the prologue, the opening of the play also depicts the feud between the two families, Capulet and Montague, which shows the intensity of the rivalry. It also demonstrates the loyalty of the servants to either the Montague or Capulet house. Samson, defending the Montagues, and Gregory, a servant of the Capulets meet, and Sampson first says, “Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals” to which Gregory replies, “No, for then we would be colliers.” This is an example of Shakespeare’s utilisation of ambiguity and metaphor. It helps to introduce the audience to the feuding families while sustaining the vivacity of the younger generation. Samson’s line would have been viewed as an insult in Shakespeare’s time, though it does not present the same effect in today’s society. To “carry coals” may mean “to tolerate insults” from the opposing family, though it is counteracted by Gregory in order to create atmosphere. Later in this scene, Gregory states, “The quarrel is between our masters, and us, their men,”. It seems that he has specified that they are men, as women are not involved in the active fighting between the families. This then presents the difference in gender roles. They then go on to make inappropriate sexual references that imply the women are inferior to the dominance and physical superiority of the male members of society. This would have been a lot more shocking during this time, due to the blunt suggestion of it, whereas today it may resonate less due to modern media and attitudes towards sex and virginity, stemming from religious beliefs.  

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Shakespeare’s views on women and how he portrayed them ay be due to the fact that he was brought up in a rural area and had a close relationship with his mother, who taught him, as she was sufficiently educated to do so. This may have influenced the women’s air of authority that he portrayed in Romeo and Juliet in a subtle way, as this is the way he saw his mother. This close relationship may also have allowed him to understand how women think and feel, which is of key importance in the way he described them in his plays ...

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