Women In The Elizabethan Era
During the Elizabethan era, women were often mistreated and believed to be inferior to men. Clearly, being dominated by all males was the practice of the day. Shakespeare, a distinguished English poet, playwright and actor, believed that women should have more power and obtain the ability to choose whom they wish to marry. In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, he provides a dramatic depiction of his viewpoint through the tragic heroine, Juliet Capulet. During the Elizabethan period, women had a very weak role in society, in fact, society hated women. Women were simply objects to be claimed by a male figure; they were not people. They could not have an opinion or go out and get a job; their main roles were to please their husbands, honor their parents and care for their children. Because of this cultural practice, women were often mistreated
…show more content…
Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o’ Thursday, Or never look me in the face. Speak not. Reply not. Do not answer me. My fingers itch.-Wife we scarce thought us blest…” (III.v.160-164)
When Lord Capulet responds to Juliet’s outburst of “disobedience,” he is violent and cruel, even telling Juliet that his “fingers itch.” This could reinforce the notion that men acted violently towards women even when they were their own flesh and blood.
During the time the play was written, women were very humble and of much less value than men. As a result, women were often forced to marry for advantage instead of love. While Juliet is grieving the death of her cousin, Tybalt, and the banishment of her love, Romeo, Paris claims her as his own.
"That is no slander, sir, which is a truth,
And what I spake, I spake it to my face,
Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it. It may be so, for it is not mine own.-" (IV.i.34-37)
After marriage, Juliet will become a possession of Paris. Though they have not yet wed, Paris tells Juliet that she has "slandered" the face that will soon belong to
Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o’ Thursday, Or never look me in the face. Speak not. Reply not. Do not answer me. My fingers itch.-Wife we scarce thought us blest…” (III.v.160-164)
When Lord Capulet responds to Juliet’s outburst of “disobedience,” he is violent and cruel, even telling Juliet that his “fingers itch.” This could reinforce the notion that men acted violently towards women even when they were their own flesh and blood.
During the time the play was written, women were very humble and of much less value than men. As a result, women were often forced to marry for advantage instead of love. While Juliet is grieving the death of her cousin, Tybalt, and the banishment of her love, Romeo, Paris claims her as his own.
"That is no slander, sir, which is a truth,
And what I spake, I spake it to my face,
Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it. It may be so, for it is not mine own.-" (IV.i.34-37)
After marriage, Juliet will become a possession of Paris. Though they have not yet wed, Paris tells Juliet that she has "slandered" the face that will soon belong to