Romeo and Juliet Context

• Courtly Love

  An idealized and romantic depiction of love and devotion that was prevalent in Shakespearian times.
• Idolatry

  Excessive worship in the name of love- often includes a religious references
• Toxic Masculinity

  Patriarchal systems and expectations are detrimental to men too- the expectations of men that require them to be aggressive, unrelenting, emotionless etc
• Familial honour

  The belief that loyalty and honour to your family was of the utmost importance
• Patriarchal Societies

  male dominated societies
• Upper class child rearing

  Upper class families of the era were very detached from their children and often employed wet nurses to breast feed and raise their children. This led to detached relationships between parents and children of the upper classes.
• Belief in fate and fortune

  Within the era there was a belief that your path in life was predetermined by a supernatural force. Fate and fortune are both personified during the play to reflect this.
• Banishment

  the act or state of being driven away from a country or place- a common form of punishment in the Elizabethan era (reflected in Romeo's banishment)
• religious beliefs

  Religious beliefs were prominent in the era and tied with the belief in fate. This belief is paralleled when Tybalt compares his hatred for the Montagues with his hatred of hell (the ultimate insult)
• biting your thumb at someone


  equivalent to shooting the middle finger at someone in the Elizabethan era- as shown in the opening fight scene between the Montagues and Capulets
• Prologue

  A speech, passage, or event coming before the main speech or event often used in Shakespearean literature
• Chorus

  A group of characters in Greek tragedy (and in later forms of drama), who comment on the action of a play without participation in it.- offer an objective view. The prologue and second prologue are both spoken by a 'chorus'.
• Laws of poison distribution

  In both Mantua and Verona trading poison was illegal- the only reason the apothecary sells poison to Romeo is because he is destitute (in extreme poverty) and thus has no choice but to violate the law.
• Originality of the plot

  The story of Romeo and Juliet is not an original Shakespearean work- Shakespeare utilises the message to criticise the restrictive nature of Elizabethan society. He wants to focus on why the events of the play occur not what happens.
• Queen Mab

  A fairy borrowed from folklore and referenced by Mercutio when he questions the dangerous nature of Romeo's dreaming personality
• Epithalamium

  a song or poem celebrating a marriage- Juliet's wedding song occurs in Act 3 scene 2.
• childhood era


  Children had a difficult time in the Elizabethan era- in one sense they were powerless and voiceless and always expected to be submissive and obey their parents/elders and therefore be very 'childlike'. An example could be Tybalt's reluctant submission to Lord Capulet at the ball. However, they were also expected to act in an adult fashion from a young age in many ways- for example, marriage at 13 or 14 was perfectly normal. Children were not expected to throw tantrums or show excessive emotion.
• Crime and punishment

  In the Elizabethan era punishment was very much focused on restoring the balance of justice- a life for a life was a common mantra (hence why Lady Capulet asks for Romeo to be killed for killing Tybalt) banishment was also a common form of punishment and essentially was an archaic form of imprisoning perpetrators in isolated settings (like Mantua) and cutting them off from their families.
• Literacy and social class

  Only the higher social classes of the era would have been literate (and able to read) hence why the messenger delivering the invites to the Capulet ball cannot read and must ask Romeo and his fellow Montagues for help.
• Fraternity

  brotherhood or male friendship. A common feature of the Elizabethan era that is represented in the male bonds between the young Montagues and Capulets (for example Romeo's desire to avenge the murder of Mercutio shows these strong bonds.)
• The danger of extremes


  There was a prevalent belief in the era that self control and moderation were key. This belief is encapsulated in the moral message of Romeo and Juliet- even something inherently good such as love or medicine can be toxic in large quantities (often seen in Friar Lawrence's speeches.)
• Consummation of marriage


  The newly married couple seals their wedding bond by engaging in the sexual act.
• Mourning


  Feeling sorrow for the death of a loved one- a typical practice in the era. The Elizabethans like to give time and dedication to mourning the dead- this is reflected in the fact that Capulets have a proper tomb for their dead so relatives can come and mourn their losses formally.
• Religious view of suicide

  Considered a mortal sin in the era- shows the extremity of feelings between Romeo and Juliet- both are prepared to commit this seemingly immoral act if they cannot be together.
• What fears does Friar Laurence express in scene 6?

  He fears they aren't being sensible
• What does Romeo say is more dangerous than Juliet's kinsman?

  20 swords
• How does Romeo say he discovered where Juliet was?

  Love leads the way.
• What does Romeo wish he were?

  A glove.
• Why does Juliet wish she hadn't yet vowed her love to Romeo?


  So she could do it again
• Why is Juliet so open with Romeo?

  She knows they share a mutual love.
• What choice does Juliet set before Romeo?


  She will send a messenger at 9am and Romeo will tell the messenger his decision
• Juliet has what kind of speech with her mother?

  Double meaning speech
• What is Romeo doing in Friar Lawrence's cell?

  Crying on the floor.
• How does Romeo find out Juliet's name?

  He asks the nurse when Juliet is called away by her mother.
• Why is Romeo going to the party but why won't he be a dancer?


  To find other girls and to observe them. He doesn't like to dance.
• How is Romeo mentally right now?

  Scared, because he thinks he will die.
• what condition does Capulet place on Paris's marriage to Juliet?


  Capulet places the condition to let 2 years past on Paris's suit for Juliet
• Romeo and Mercutio are opposites of one another


  Foil
• Why doesn't Romeo want to go to the party

  He has a dream something bad will happen
• Why doesn't Rosaline want Romeo?

  She wants to stay pure(chaste)