Romeo And Juliet Rhetorical Analysis

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Shakespeare’s male dominated world in “The Most Lamentable Tragedy Romeo and Juliet” is not surprising for it has been this way in most societies since the beginning of recorded time. It is only historically recent times that western societies have adopted less oppressive practices toward women. In the study guide readings, Anthony Fletcher sums up patriarchy as women and the offspring as “property” of men, “principle of patriarchy… ‘the institutionalized male dominance over women and children in the family and the subordination of women in society in general.” While this could be said to reflect the English view on Italians, as the study guide suggests, then it is a hypocritical criticism by Shakespeare. In the General Introduction of “The …show more content…
Looking at the small to all encompassing, Shakespeare paints a picture of this male dominate society from Act1 Scene 1. Two male servants of the house of Capulet cockily bosting through town looking for a fight. Line 12 has Gregory referring to the weak go to the wall (as the foot notes mentions, this is a reference to the weak are “pushed aside.”). Samson replies with an insinuation of sexual assault on Montague women. This presents a callous view of women in general. Sex is a weapon here. Not only does it harm the women physically, and psychologically, but in a society where purity is valued, it diminishes her value at the very least. This opening paints a picture of overall danger to women within Verona and how men have excepted their dominance in creating this …show more content…
It is his law and desire to end the violence that the war/feud/pettiness of the Montagues and Capulets have brought upon the city. Like a Biblical father with two wayward sons, he must not only break apart the two families, but he must look to the wellbeing of all his children (the populous of his city.) Prince Escalus has decreed an end to the fighting between the two houses. We learn of this in the first act when Samson and Gregory are planning to goad the Montague men into a fight so that they, the Capulets, will not gain ill will of Prince Escalus. In entering the fray, he pronounces, “If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace.” Like a father, he tries to show them the silliness and unreasonableness of their fighting, but like a father, he will not hesitate to punish. It is his power that must be obeyed. Even though the death decree is relented in his banishment of Romeo, the Princes power is shown absolute. Though many of a girl dreams and sighs at the “romantic” Romeo and Juliet story, there truly is no romance to the story. It serves many things, among which is a cautionary tale of the time. Follow you duty and place. For women follow your father will. For mem follow your Lord’s will. While the world of Verona is a man’s world it is more. It is a world where everything has a place, and women are on the
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