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.