Context

• Fate + Astrology


  Elizabethans believed in the power of celestial bodies (stars, moons, and planets). Queen Elizabeth has her own astrologist. Also, the prologue ''star-cross'd'' introduces the theme of fate from the beginning. Furthermore, Juliet is a Leo; she embodies these typical character traits.
• Ovid's Metamorphoses


  The concept of lovers who are prevented from being together by fate is seen in Ovid's Pyramus and Thisbe, a tale in his Metamorphoses, published around the 8th century AD. The ending is similar in both Metamorphoses and R+J, as both have ideas of fate separating lovers and ending in tragedy. They both also show the destructive nature of feuds.
• Italy


  Italy was believed to be a romantic, wild country, in which women were sexually promiscuous and men were violent and prone to duels. Juliet's lustfulness and sexual promiscuity and Tybalt's fiery, easily provoked nature demonstrates these stereotypes of Italians. Also, male violence runs throughout the entirety of the play
• Great Chain of Being


  God created the world with a clear hierarchical structure. King was at the top, and men were higher than women on the structure. Romeo and Juliet violated this by trying to unite despite the prohibitions. Also, Juliet's disobedience to her father emphasises this: she was inferior to her father as a man.