Influences on Choices in Romeo and Juliet

Vocabulary flashcards that define major concepts, settings, and themes relevant to how culture, history, and environment shape choices in Romeo and Juliet.

Culture

The shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of a group that shape how its members think and act.

History (Historical Context)

The political, social, and economic conditions of the time in which a text is written or set.

Environment

The physical and social surroundings that influence characters’ actions and conflicts.

Choice (Selection)

A decision made by a character, often shaped by culture, history, and environment.

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s tragedy about two young lovers whose families’ feud leads to their downfall.

Patriarchal Society

A social system in which men hold primary power and women are expected to obey male authority.

Family Honor

The reputation and dignity of a household, often protected through strict obedience and alliances.

Feud

A prolonged and bitter hostility between families or groups, such as that between the Montagues and Capulets.

Courtly Love

A Renaissance ideal of noble, often secret, romantic devotion, influencing Romeo’s behavior.

Renaissance Italy

The cultural and historical setting of the play, marked by powerful families and strict social order.

Verona

The closed, tension-filled city where the feuding families live and the tragic events unfold.

Societal Norms

Accepted rules about behavior, including gender roles, marriage practices, and obedience to elders.

Religious Beliefs

Moral codes and social structures shaped by the Church in Romeo and Juliet’s world.

Economic Conditions

Levels of wealth or poverty that can motivate characters, even if less central in this play.

Individual Dispositions

Personal traits and tendencies that filter how characters respond to external pressures.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical division of society into classes, prominent in Renaissance settings.

Arranged Marriage

A union chosen by parents or guardians, exemplified by Juliet’s parents selecting a husband for her.

Communication Barriers

Obstacles that prevent characters, like the lovers, from easily sharing information or meeting.

Impulsive Decision-Making

Acting quickly without full consideration, as Romeo and Juliet do when they marry in secret.

Literary Mirror

The idea that texts reflect enduring human issues and help readers understand real-life situations.

Social Concerns

Current issues in society that can be connected to themes found in literature.

“Verona Today”

A modern adaptation concept that reimagines Romeo and Juliet’s story in the present day.

“Hate divides. Love unites.”

A proposed slogan emphasizing the central conflict and theme of reconciliation.

Integrated English for Effective Communication

One of the reference textbooks cited in the lecture notes.