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What Is The Role Of Women In Romeo And Juliet

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Women's Role in Shakespeare's Romeo and juliet Introduction The sun, from sadness, will not shine at all today. There was never a sadder story than this story of and Juliet. (5.3.320-321) Wikipedia says that The play Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers. According to Wikipedia Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is based on an Italian tale, translated into verse as The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure by William Painter in 1567. Shakespeare borrowed …show more content…

Prime University Journal indicates that in Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's Juliet is a headstrong and intelligent character in spite of her young age. It is Juliet who sets the boundaries of behavior in her relationship with Romeo. She allows him to kiss her, she pledges her commitment before him, and it is she who suggests their marriage. Juliet's forgiveness of Romeo after he kills Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) indicates her mature nature in contrast to his passionate impulsiveness. Furthermore, Juliet lies and clandestinely subverts her family's wishes, a truly rebellious action against traditional Italian society. Study of gender roles in this play rises many questions in a person's mind. The person who is in charge of writing the essay can ask him/herself; how are the roles of man and woman portrayed in this play? Are they obviously different? Do they have equal rights? What gender expectations do they follow or fight against? Portrayal of

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