Italy

• why did Shakespeare set his plays in Italy rather than england

  he is able to make commentaries and criticisms that he could claim were not related to Englands society - Italy was different and far enough politically that he could make his claim - it was close and similar enough that people could link society he criticises and elizabethan society
• how does Shakespeare criticise royalty in the play

  prince escalus wields a lot of power yet still allows two murders and a suicide to happen under his reign
• why is it good that Romeo and Juliet could be interpreted as a critique of Italian royalty

  it renders Shakespeare as blameless in any accusations of treason
• why would Italy be more exciting than England to set the play

  italy was a romantic and wild country where women were promiscuous and men were violent and prone to duels
• how does Italys promiscuity link to the play

  Juliets lustfulness and promiscuity as well as tybalts fiery and easily provoked nature demonstrates stereotypes