Role of Women

In Shakespeare's time, women had very limited rights and were expected to be obedient to male authority figures - first their fathers, then their husbands. Women were seen as property to be transferred through marriage arrangements. Juliet's struggle against her parents' choice of Paris as her husband reflects the tension between individual desire and social expectations for women in the 16th century.

Patriarchal Society

The play is set in a male-dominated society where fathers held absolute authority over their children's lives, especially daughters. Men were expected to protect family honor through violence if necessary, as seen in the ongoing feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Social status and masculine reputation were paramount concerns that drove many of the play's conflicts.

Family Dynamics

Renaissance families were hierarchical structures with the patriarch at the top. Children were expected to show complete obedience to their parents' wishes, particularly regarding marriage. The concept of arranged marriages was normal and expected. Juliet's defiance of her parents represents a radical challenge to traditional family authority and social order.

Marriage and Honour

Marriage in Shakespeare's era was primarily a business transaction designed to strengthen family alliances and improve social status. Love was not considered a necessary component of marriage. Family honor was closely tied to the chastity and obedience of women, making Juliet's secret marriage particularly scandalous. The concept of honor also drove the cycle of violence between feuding families.