Gender Roles in Shakespeare

Gender roles during the Shakespearean time period played a big role in every man and woman's life. Gender roles are strict rules that tell each man and woman how he or she should act and live. Typically during this time period, rules were much more strict for women than men.  Some rules during this time period include marital issues, social matter, and possession. Take a look at this cool link if you want to learn more on Shakespeare's perspective on gender roles.

In typical Shakespearean society, a woman would be married by age 15 to a man who was already picked for her. However in Romeo and Juliet, after Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she will be marrying Count Paris she responds: "I will not marry yet; and when I do, I swear/ It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,/ Rather than Paris" (III.v.122-124). This would have been considered completely unacceptable behavior for Juliet during this time period. Talking back to her superiors would have surely resulted in punishment. One of the reasons why I think the play is so unique and remarkable for this era is the willingness of the lovers to go to world's end for them to be together, no matter the consequences.



Another expectation for women during this time period is that women such as Juliet would be quite sheltered and watched over during their premarital stages. This gender role is particularly obvious in Romeo and Juliet. Juliet is constantly watched over and tended to by her nurse. Nurse is constantly either doing favors for Juliet or giving her advice on decisions. Nurse often talks to her about Romeo such as when she says: "Though/ his face be better than any man's, yet his leg excels all/ men's; and for a hand and a foot, and a body, though/ they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare" (II.v.38-41). It is very common for women during this time to have a servant that is with her all of the time. Servants may be occupied with helping a woman fix her hair, get dressed, and put on makeup.

Gender roles are not only found in our past, there are many "rules" that men and women follow even today. In modern American society, men and women are still seen separated not so much by rules, but more by expectations. For example, in sports boys play football and hockey while girls play volleyball and cheer. When getting married, men always propose to the women. Even in professional careers you will find gender roles. Usually men are politicians, firefighters, or police officers. Women are often nurses, teachers, or secretaries. The difference between Shakespearean era and modern era gender roles is that back then they were strict rules. In today's society, the roles are more built off of expectations and stereotypes. Even if we don't notice them, gender roles play a big role in historical and modern society.

Works Cited

Gender Differences in the 1200-1400's. Logan, Iowa. 1996. Print

istock. Woman's Health Nurse Practitioner Licensing Bodies. Photograph. n.d.

Officialpsds. American Football Player. Photograph. n.d.

Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet." Prentice Hall Literature Timeless Voices,          Timeless Themes. Eds. Bowler, Ellen, et al. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1999. 680-692.     Print.

Romeo and Juliet Act 2: Figurative Language

 Figurative language plays a very important role in many novels, books, and plays. It is essential in comprehension and enjoyment for the reader. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, figurative language plays a huge role in comprehension for the reader because most of the language is difficult to understand if you aren't familiar with Shakespeare's style. In this post, I will be examining two different examples of figurative language in Act II of Romeo and Juliet that add understanding and enjoyment into the play.

The first excerpt I will discuss is during Act II Scene ii, the balcony scene. At the beginning of the scene Romeo compares Juliet to the sun in the east:

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious.
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,
(II.ii.3-10)

In short, Romeo is comparing Juliet to the beautiful sun rising in the east. He compares her shining beauty to the sun. When he says "Arise, fair sun..." He is telling Juliet to come out from her balcony and let her beauty be shared with the rest of the world. He compares the two without using the words "like" or "as" which makes this a metaphor. The use of a metaphor in this situation helps the reader visualize the scene of Romeo looking upon Juliet in her balcony in awe of her beauty. The use of a comparison of Juliet to such a familiar object (the sun) also adds to the readers comprehension.

One other example of figurative language in Act II occurs during Scene vi. Romeo is speaking right before he and Juliet marry and says: "Then love-devouring death do what he dare- / It is enough I may but call her mine" (II.vi.7-8). Romeo is saying that the risks do not outweigh the rewards of marrying Juliet. Even the risk of death isn't enough to keep he and Juliet apart. Romeo is giving death, an inanimate word, human-like characteristics. He calls death a "he" and "love-devouring". This type of language is called personification. In this situation, the use of personification draws more compassion to the lovers by portraying death as the antagonist of the play. It gets the readers more involved in the play by giving them something to root for/against.


These are only two out of countless examples of figurative language found in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. As you can see, figurative language plays a huge role in every piece of literature by helping the reader better understand and enjoy the story. For more info on figurative language visit this site.

Works Cited

Docstoc. Personification poster. Photograph. n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

Kerov. marketingforhippies. Photograph. 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

 Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1999. Print.

           "Romeo and Juliet." Sparknotes. Sparknotes LLC, 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014

Romeo and Juliet: Act I. Scene v. Summary

If you would like to read Act I, Scene v. of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in full, click here. Act I, Scene v. from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet takes place in a hall in Lord Capulet's house. The scene begins with three servingmen trying to get everything ready for the guests. Lord Capulet enters the hall with all of the guests and encourages them to start dancing and to have a good time. Capulet and his cousin joke around about how long it has been since they last danced.

While the guests start dancing and the party gets underway, Romeo spots a young woman on the other side of the hall. He asks a servingman for her name but he doesn't know. Instantly, Romeo is struck by Juliet's beauty and claims:

As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear-
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows....
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
(I.v 45-48, 51-52)

As Romeo proclaims his affection for Juliet, Tybalt recognizes Romeo by his voice and is enraged by the fact that a Montague dares to come to a party held by the Capulets. Lord Capulet, his uncle, manages to reason with him. Lord Capulet recognizes that Romeo has done no wrongs and that Tybalt has no reason to attack him. Capulet also mentions that an assault by Tybalt might cause an uprising among his guests. Tybalt, still angered is asked to leave by his uncle and he agrees. However, Tybalt makes it clear that the feud between he and Romeo is not yet over.


Romeo and Juliet have their first face to face interaction at the end of this scene. Romeo approaches Juliet with a metaphor about his unworthy pilgrim hand approaching a holy shrine (Juliet's hand). Juliet extends the metaphor adding herself in as a saint and  saying that, "saints have hands that pilgrims do touch" (I.v.98). Finally, Romeo "lets lips do what hands do" (I.v.102). The metaphor continues as Romeo kisses her and gives her his sin and then takes it back with another kiss.





The nurse interrupts the interaction by saying that Juliet's mom needs her. Romeo then asks who her mother is. The nurse explains and Romeo finds out that she is a Capulet. This is when a problem begins to unfold for the star-crossed lovers. Romeo is pained at the fact that his true love could possibly come from a family so hated. He says he must leave and does not dance with Juliet. Juliet is confused as to why he left and asks the nurse who he is. The nurse explains that he is a Montague and Juliet replies,

My only love, sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me
That I must love a loathed enemy.
(I.v.137-140)

Thus, the first act ends after revealing this devastating truth to the two lovers.

Works Cited

 Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1999. Print.

"Romeo and Juliet." Sparknotes. Sparknotes LLC, 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014

"Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 5." Shakespeare Navigators. n.p. n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014

 "Recreations of Romeo and Juliet Since Shakespeare." Photograph. blogspot. n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014

 "Tybalt Capulet." Photograph. the wall machine. n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014

Finals Week Tips and Tricks

Finals week is one of the most important (and stressful) weeks of the year for most students. There are many ways you can go about finals week, but I will narrow it down to two strategies you can use to attack the beast we call finals.

Our first strategy is to completely blow off finals and pretend that they do not exist. This strategy is very effective if you plan on failing all of your finals and not going to college. I do not recommend this strategy as it has a very negative impact on your final grade and potentially more important aspects of your future. Do not attempt this strategy if you value your future education and job opportunities.

The last and most successful strategy in conquering finals week is to study for your tests. First of all, do not look at the week before finals as a break from homework where you don't need to do anything. The week before finals is just as important if not more important than finals week itself. Why? Studying. The lack of homework and plentiful free time gives you perfect conditions to start studying up for your classes. So, prepare yourself by stocking up on notebook paper and flashcards because you will need them.

 Pay attention to your teachers the week before finals because this is prime time for them to start handing out semester review sheets. These are very valuable reviews because often, teachers only put the knowledge that is absolutely necessary on the reviews. Also, reviews very closely resemble the final exam itself. Use these reviews to test what you remember without using your notes. Whatever you do not remember is what you should be studying. Use handouts and notes from earlier in the year to jog and enforce your memory on key topics.

Studying itself is not enough when it comes to finals week. You need to develop good habits and a study routine. When organizing a study space at home, find a quiet, distraction free place to set up camp. Gather all of your materials that you will need, I mean everything. Put away your phone and other electronics to minimize distraction. Now develop a routine that you have with each class. For example: study 1 hour science, 15 minute break, 1 hour math, 15 minute break, etc. get in a rhythm and hit on key topics that you don't want to forget. Find study habits that work for YOU.

For a video on studying tips click here.

Finals week can be a very stressful time for students, but with the proper preparation and study habits, every student has the ability to successfully master finals week.

"this is finals week." Photograph. Web. 2 Feb. 2014

"finals week over" Photograph. Success Kid Memes. n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2014

beautyxflowerz. "Study Tips :) Finals, Quizzes, and Test." Youtube.  3 Jun. 2012. Web. 2 Feb. 2014