R+J themes analysis

• Death

  death is first mentioned at the start of the play in the prologue. Shakespeare uses the primacy effect and it shapes our impression of the rest of the play. Death becomes a prominent idea because it is the only way that the Capulet/Montague dispute can be settled. Even in a love scene between R+J the threat of death is ever present.
• death

  The juxtaposition of love and death comes again at the end of act 2 when R+J are set to marry. Juliet mentions death before they are to get married this is prophetic because death will eventually devour the lovers at the end of the play. Once again Juliet personifies death after she finds that Romeo has been banished from Verona.
• death

  The personalising of death makes it less of an abstract concept, it becomes another character, a threatening presence overstepping its conventional boundaries. Death is fully personified as a sexualised being when Capulet tells Paris of Juliet's death. As the play draws to a close, Romeo comes face to face with Juliet and the idea of death as her lover replacing him comes into his mind. Death is both unsubstantial, it has no physical substance yet simultaneously is embodied as a thin or 'lean abhorred' monster, 'abhorred' meaning disgusting or hated.
• Fate

  fate is first mentioned in the prologue. 'From forth the fatal loins of these two foes' alliteration of the letter F draws our attention to the word 'fatal' the sound of the word fatal also suggests 'fate'. Fate can be kind and unkind but as it is a tragedy it is unkind. The Elizabethan era was very superstitious time, many believed that their lives were written in the stars. In Greek Mythology hubris is followed by nemesis fate and destruction. This echoes what we see in the play as Romeo's belief that he can change his fate causes the ultimate destruction; his death.
• fate

  By writing the prologue in sonnet form which already introduced the element if foreshadowing, Shakespeare could be reinforcing the idea that everything in the world is planned and presedtined and that nothing we do is ever spontaneous because it is already written in the stars somewhere. Because a sonnet has a regular rhyme scheme, the regularity of the form adds to the theme of fate as through it the audience is able to anticipate the inevitable rhythmic timing
• Gender roles

  the play portrays the rigid gender roles of the time, where men were expected to be assertive, aggressive, and in control, while women were supposed to be obedient, modest, and passive. Characters like Lord Capulet and Tybalt exemplify traditional masculinity, with their quick tempers and emphasis on honor and power. Conversely, Juliet initially conforms to the passive role expected of young women, dutifully obeying her parents' wishes regarding her marriage to Pari
• gender roles

  Romeo, though initially presented as a lovesick youth pining after Rosaline, subverts traditional masculinity by being emotional, sensitive, and prone to romantic idealism. Similarly, Juliet defies societal expectations by actively pursuing Romeo and eventually taking control of her own fate, defying her father's authority and choosing her own path.
• gender roles

  Shakespeare uses language and imagery to highlight the fluidity of gender roles and the power dynamics within relationships. Juliet, for instance, speaks with intelligence, wit, and agency, challenging the notion that women are mere objects of desire or subservient to men. Additionally, the Nurse serves as a complex representation of femininity, possessing both maternal tenderness and earthy sensuality.
• gender roles

  The rigid patriarchal structure of the time dictated strict gender roles, with women considered the property of men and expected to be obedient and chaste. Thus, Shakespeare's exploration of gender in "Romeo and Juliet" would have challenged the status quo and forced audiences to confront the limitations and injustices of their society.
• violence 


  physical violence is omnipresent in the play, manifesting in duels, street brawls, and acts of revenge. The opening scene immediately plunges the audience into the midst of a street fight between the Montague and Capulet families, setting the tone for the pervasive conflict that ensues. The duel between Tybalt and Mercutio. This portrayal of physical violence reflects the prevalent culture of dueling and public disputes in Elizabethan England, where personal honor and family reputation were paramount
• violence

  verbal violence is also prominent in the play, particularly in the form of insults, threats, and curses exchanged between characters. The heated exchanges between Tybalt and Mercutio, as well as the confrontations involving the Capulet and Montague families, highlight the volatile nature of interpersonal relationships and the power of language to incite conflict. Verbal violence was not uncommon in Elizabethan society, where public shaming, slander, and defamation were often used as weapons to assert dominance and maintain social hierarchies.
• family and honour

  the concept of family is central to the plot, with the feuding Montague and Capulet households serving as the primary catalysts for conflict. The rigid adherence to familial loyalty and the preservation of family honour drive the actions of characters throughout the play. Lord Capulet's determination to enforce Juliet's marriage to Paris, despite her objections, is motivated by his desire to uphold the honour and social standing of the Capulet name.
• family and honour

  Tybalt's aggressive defence of the Capulet name and his disdain for Romeo exemplify the importance placed on familial honour and the willingness to resort to violence to defend it. Likewise, Juliet's father, Lord Capulet, becomes enraged when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, viewing her defiance as a direct affront to his honour and authority as the head of the household.
• family and honour

  family and honour held paramount importance, reflecting the hierarchical structure and patriarchal values of the time. Families were seen as the bedrock of social stability, and any threat to their honour or reputation was met with swift and severe consequences. The practice of arranged marriages, like the one proposed for Juliet, was common among the upper classes, serving not only to solidify alliances and wealth but also to maintain the integrity of family lines and honour.
• family and honour

  Shakespeare also challenges the notion of blind allegiance to family honour, highlighting the destructive consequences of unchecked pride and prejudice. The tragic outcome of the play, marked by the deaths of the young lovers and the reconciliation of the feuding families, serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of rigid adherence to societal norms and the importance of empathy, forgiveness, and love in overcoming divisions.
• death (more depth)

  death is portrayed as inevitable and inescapable, underscoring the fragility of human life and the transient nature of existence. From the opening lines of the play, the prologue foreshadows the tragic fate of the titular characters, framing their love story within the context of "death-marked" lovers whose "misadventured piteous overthrows" are destined to unfold. This fatalistic perspective on death reflects the Elizabethan worldview, which was deeply influenced by religious beliefs in predestination and the inevitability of mortality.
• death (more depth)

  Elizabethan society, death was an ever-present reality, shaped by religious beliefs, social hierarchies, and cultural practices. The widespread prevalence of disease, famine, and warfare meant that death was a constant companion, with mortality rates far higher than in modern times. Additionally, the influence of Christianity instilled a fear of divine judgment and the afterlife, shaping attitudes towards sin, redemption, and the meaning of life.
• death (more depth)

  the play explores the multifaceted nature of death, encompassing both physical demise and emotional or spiritual decay. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet symbolise the destruction of innocence and the loss of hope, as their love is ultimately unable to transcend the barriers of prejudice and hatred. Similarly, the suicides of the young lovers, driven by desperation and despair, highlight the psychological toll of societal oppression and the tragic consequences of forbidden love.