Context in Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s texts reflect the society in which he lived and saw. He is
showing that women and young people were under the power of men –
showing a patriarchal society. This was what Shakespeare was trying to
show through his play.
London in Shakespearean times was a very violent place so any
gentleman would have a sword.
Shakespeare shows us the importance of emotion. Most rich women
would be married at around 12-14 so Capulet’s comment to keep Juliet
unwed until she is sixteen shows how much he still cares for her and
wants her under his control.
The play of Romeo and Juliet is set in the house of the Capulets and the
public square. There were no stage props at the time and the actors had
to make their costumes so the audience has to have it all in words. They
are told where they are and what is happening.
Today we can see what people imagine through films and movies but in
Shakespearean times they didn’t have this stuff.
Most wealthy people visited the theatre but usually, it was normal
everyday people. In the Elizabethan era, they didn’t have lights or
electricity so you didn’t know when the play was going to start. This is
why you have a prologue; we have this in Romeo and Juliet. It is
intended to stop people talking.
His audience is not posh. They are everyday people who are looking at
the society around them. So we begin ‘two households’ in those days a
household would hold your WHOLE family.
Italy was a very sophisticated country compared to England.
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