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Toula Rice

29/12/2022

English Literature

Romeo and Juliet Context

Romeo and Juliet: Elizabethan Era Context for Kids

Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet explores themes of love, fate, and family honor in Elizabethan era Verona, incorporating period elements like astrology, religious beliefs, and patriarchal society structures. The play reflects the social norms and cultural beliefs of its time, including arranged marriages, family feuds, and strict social hierarchies.

  • The story unfolds against a backdrop of astrological beliefs and public violence
  • Religious values and family honor played crucial roles in society
  • Marriage was primarily for financial security rather than love
  • The play's setting in Verona, Italy symbolized wealth and romance
  • Social structure was strictly patriarchal with limited women's rights
  • Based on a purported true Italian love story from the 3rd century
...

29/12/2022

928

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

View

Family Dynamics and Childhood in Romeo and Juliet

The historical and social background of "Romeo and Juliet" provides crucial insight into the family dynamics and childhood experiences of the characters.

In Elizabethan era society, children were often regarded as property, with parents arranging their marriages. This practice is central to the plot of "Romeo and Juliet," as we see Juliet's parents attempting to arrange her marriage to Paris without considering her feelings or desires.

Highlight: The arranged marriage plot point reflects the historical context of Romeo and Juliet, where love matches were rare among the upper classes.

Wealthy families of the time often had limited involvement in their children's upbringing. It was common practice to hire a nurse to breastfeed and care for infants. This explains the close relationship between Juliet and her Nurse in the play, with the Nurse serving as an important maternal figure.

Example: The Nurse's intimate knowledge of Juliet's childhood and her role as a confidante demonstrate the significant role such figures played in aristocratic households.

The play is set during a period of strong Catholic influence. Religion played a central role in people's lives, with characters often speaking about religion, prayers, and sins. The belief that suicide and bigamy were mortal sins adds to the tragic elements of the story.

Definition: Bigamy - The act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another.

Quote: "Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the bottom of my grief?" - Juliet's plea reflects the deep religious sentiment of the time.

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

View

Tragedy, Love, and Society in Romeo and Juliet

"Romeo and Juliet" is classified as a tragedy, a popular dramatic form in the Elizabethan era. The play follows the traditional tragic structure, featuring suffering, loss, and death, with the main characters ultimately brought to ruin.

Definition: Tragedy - A form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences.

The concept of the Petrarchan lover is embodied in Romeo's character at the beginning of the play. This literary trope, popular in Shakespeare's time, depicts a man who longs for an unobtainable woman, resulting in unrequited love and melancholy.

Vocabulary: Petrarchan lover - A character type in literature who exhibits unrequited love and emotional suffering.

The play offers a glimpse into the historical and social background of love and marriage in the Elizabethan era. Marriages were often arranged for financial security rather than love, especially for women who had limited earning potential. This context adds depth to Juliet's dilemma and the risks she takes for love.

Highlight: Juliet's decision to elope with Romeo would have meant forfeiting financial security in the historical context of Romeo and Juliet.

The setting of the play in a patriarchal society is crucial to understanding the characters' motivations and constraints. Men were considered more important than women and held power over their wives and children. Women were expected to obey the male head of the household and lost most of their rights upon marriage.

Example: Capulet's authority over Juliet and his ability to arrange her marriage without her consent illustrates the patriarchal nature of the society.

Interestingly, "Romeo and Juliet" is believed to be based on a true Italian love story from the 3rd century. The 'real families' were supposedly the Capeletti and Montecci, providing a historical foundation for Shakespeare's fictional feud between the Capulets and Montagues.

Quote: "For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." - This closing line encapsulates the tragic nature of the tale and its enduring impact.

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

View

Social Structure and Historical Background

The Life during the setting of Romeo and Juliet summary reveals a strictly patriarchal society where women had limited rights and financial independence. Marriage served primarily as a means of financial security for women.

Highlight: Women lost nearly all rights after marriage, including property ownership and inheritance.

Example: Juliet's potential marriage to Paris represented financial security rather than love.

Definition: Patriarchal society placed men as heads of households with complete authority over wives and children.

Quote: "The play was based on a true Italian love story from the 3rd century involving the Capeletti and Montecci families."

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English Literature

928

29 Dec 2022

4 pages

Romeo and Juliet: Elizabethan Era Context for Kids

Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet explores themes of love, fate, and family honor in Elizabethan eraVerona, incorporating period elements like astrology, religious beliefs, and patriarchal society structures. The play reflects the social norms and cultural beliefs of its time,

... Show more
Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

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Family Dynamics and Childhood in Romeo and Juliet

The historical and social background of "Romeo and Juliet" provides crucial insight into the family dynamics and childhood experiences of the characters.

In Elizabethan era society, children were often regarded as property, with parents arranging their marriages. This practice is central to the plot of "Romeo and Juliet," as we see Juliet's parents attempting to arrange her marriage to Paris without considering her feelings or desires.

Highlight: The arranged marriage plot point reflects the historical context of Romeo and Juliet, where love matches were rare among the upper classes.

Wealthy families of the time often had limited involvement in their children's upbringing. It was common practice to hire a nurse to breastfeed and care for infants. This explains the close relationship between Juliet and her Nurse in the play, with the Nurse serving as an important maternal figure.

Example: The Nurse's intimate knowledge of Juliet's childhood and her role as a confidante demonstrate the significant role such figures played in aristocratic households.

The play is set during a period of strong Catholic influence. Religion played a central role in people's lives, with characters often speaking about religion, prayers, and sins. The belief that suicide and bigamy were mortal sins adds to the tragic elements of the story.

Definition: Bigamy - The act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another.

Quote: "Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the bottom of my grief?" - Juliet's plea reflects the deep religious sentiment of the time.

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Tragedy, Love, and Society in Romeo and Juliet

"Romeo and Juliet" is classified as a tragedy, a popular dramatic form in the Elizabethan era. The play follows the traditional tragic structure, featuring suffering, loss, and death, with the main characters ultimately brought to ruin.

Definition: Tragedy - A form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences.

The concept of the Petrarchan lover is embodied in Romeo's character at the beginning of the play. This literary trope, popular in Shakespeare's time, depicts a man who longs for an unobtainable woman, resulting in unrequited love and melancholy.

Vocabulary: Petrarchan lover - A character type in literature who exhibits unrequited love and emotional suffering.

The play offers a glimpse into the historical and social background of love and marriage in the Elizabethan era. Marriages were often arranged for financial security rather than love, especially for women who had limited earning potential. This context adds depth to Juliet's dilemma and the risks she takes for love.

Highlight: Juliet's decision to elope with Romeo would have meant forfeiting financial security in the historical context of Romeo and Juliet.

The setting of the play in a patriarchal society is crucial to understanding the characters' motivations and constraints. Men were considered more important than women and held power over their wives and children. Women were expected to obey the male head of the household and lost most of their rights upon marriage.

Example: Capulet's authority over Juliet and his ability to arrange her marriage without her consent illustrates the patriarchal nature of the society.

Interestingly, "Romeo and Juliet" is believed to be based on a true Italian love story from the 3rd century. The 'real families' were supposedly the Capeletti and Montecci, providing a historical foundation for Shakespeare's fictional feud between the Capulets and Montagues.

Quote: "For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." - This closing line encapsulates the tragic nature of the tale and its enduring impact.

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Social Structure and Historical Background

The Life during the setting of Romeo and Juliet summary reveals a strictly patriarchal society where women had limited rights and financial independence. Marriage served primarily as a means of financial security for women.

Highlight: Women lost nearly all rights after marriage, including property ownership and inheritance.

Example: Juliet's potential marriage to Paris represented financial security rather than love.

Definition: Patriarchal society placed men as heads of households with complete authority over wives and children.

Quote: "The play was based on a true Italian love story from the 3rd century involving the Capeletti and Montecci families."

Romeo & Juliet Context
1- Astrology - People of that time believed a persone
future was decided by the stars & planets
Shakespeare uses idea

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Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Romeo and Juliet: Setting the Stage

The context of "Romeo and Juliet" is deeply rooted in the beliefs and social structures of the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare masterfully weaves these elements into the fabric of his tragic love story, creating a rich tapestry that reflects the society of his time.

Highlight: The play's setting in Verona, Italy, was associated with wealth, romance, and murderous feuds in the Elizabethan imagination.

Astrology played a significant role in people's lives during this period. There was a widespread belief that a person's future was predetermined by the stars and planets. Shakespeare incorporates this belief into the play, using ideas of fate, fortune, and celestial bodies to drive the narrative.

Example: The famous line "star-crossed lovers" refers to Romeo and Juliet's ill-fated relationship, supposedly determined by the stars.

Public brawls were a common occurrence in Elizabethan times, much like the fights depicted in Verona. The justice system of the era employed harsh punishments, including public hangings and banishment. In the play, we see this reflected in Romeo's punishment of banishment for killing Tybalt.

Vocabulary: Banishment - The punishment of being ordered to leave a country or place and never return.

The concept of family honor was paramount in Elizabethan society. Even the slightest insult could lead to violent confrontations as families sought to protect their reputation. This is exemplified in the play through characters like Tybalt, who fiercely defends the Capulet family honor.

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Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user