Romeo and Juliet social Context : Gender Roles

In the patriarchal system of Elizabethan England, women’s status and security depended on…

their fathers or husbands; Women had no right to own property or wealth (even in marriage) and single women and relationships outside of marriage were harshly judged

When married, Elizabethan women were expected to…

obey their husband

Conventional Elizabethan men were expected to be

strong, aggressive and loyal to their family

Elizabethan society expected women to be obedient and submissive,

Women were viewed as emotionally and mentally frail and their opinions were often seen as invalid

Wealthy Elizabethans often employed nurses who would raise the family’s children until the age of marriage:  

A wet nurse would often be employed to breastfeed babies, forming close bonds between the nurse and child, sometimes closer even than the mother

How gender roles link to Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare presents Juliet’s decision to defy her father as fatal, showing Juliet’s limited autonomy(having influence or control over oneself), with death left as her only choice. Lady Capulet’s obedience to her husband negatively impacts Juliet. By depicting Juliet’s defiance and isolation, Shakespeare critiques traditional gender roles of his era.

How expectations of male behaviour links to Romeo and Juliet

Romeo defies male stereotypes and Mercutio criticises Romeo’s peaceful behaviour as dishonourable and submissive. Romeo sees his love for Juliet as making him “effeminate” and weak. His later reckless and vengeful violence leads to both his and Juliet’s deaths.

How subverting gender roles links to Romeo and Juliet

Juliet’s strength of will and autonomous actions subvert traditional gender norms. She is dominant, not submissive, as she proposes to Romeo, insisting he take the marriage seriously. Juliet is also rational and sensible and she questions the discrimination inherent in the feud. 

How class and maternal expectations links to Romeo and Juliet

The nurse serves as comedic relief in the play as a bawdy(containing humorous remarks about sex) and unsophisticated character, representing the class divisions of the time. Lady Capulet is shown as alienated from her daughter in her traditional role as mother. Juliet’s nurse represents this maternal figure as she, rather than her mother, is Juliet’s first source of advice and comfort.