Patriarchy in Romeo and Juliet

In a patriarchal society, women are expected to conform to social restrictions by demonstrating reverence and obedience to the males in their lives. Shakespeare's tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, explores the effects of patriarchal authority exerted over women and how the patriarchal structure left no escape from it, save death. Through Juliet, Lady Capulet, and the Nurse, Shakespeare establishes a common understanding of this type of society, but illuminates three different reactions to the social oppression by portraying the responses of a passionate lover, an idyllic housewife, and an attendant.

Juliet is introduced into the play in act one scene three, as an innocent, obedient, and respectful adolescent. Her polite response to her mother, "Madam, I am here, What is your will?" (1.3.7), establishes an optimistic sentiment that assures the audience of her acquiescent nature. She further demonstrates her eloquence in response to her mother's proposal to consider marriage as she sensibly and astutely replies, "It is an honour that I dream not of" (1.3.68). Her response is genuinely reverential, thus confirming she understands her responsibility as a daughter, and her place in a male-dominate world; she continues showing such submission, grace, and maturity throughout the entire scene, especially when she decides to agree to "look to like, if looking liking move" (1.3.99), then acknowledging that the parental "consent" (1.3.101) is imperative. This is the only scene where Juliet is depicted as being innocent, for when she meets Romeo in act one scene five, she begins transforming from a yielding child into a focused woman in love while maintaining the same element of grace in her presence.

Meeting Romeo drastically changes Juliet as she begins to exhibit a new sense of maturity. In her famous window speech she is ready to abandon her family and “no longer be a Capulet” if she can only be with Romeo in marriage. She effectively rebels against her father's authority by giving her innocence to Romeo without approval. The picture of a sweet, innocent girl portrayed in her opening scene has now been tainted by experience, passion, and deceitfulness; Juliet's character begins to acquire new traits that allow her to mature, attain new knowledge, and escape the restrictive boundaries of patriarchy and courtly love.

Juliet physically confronts her father's judgment in act three scene five when she refuses his command to marry Paris. Not wanting to commit adultery, Juliet politely attempts to reject the marriage proposal, but it does not go over well with Capulet. Rather, he can hardly believe that she has disrespected him like this: "How, how, how, how--chopped logic? What is this" (3.5.149)? She attempts to justify her story by pleading "to speak a word" (3.5.159) to her father. Instead, he leaves in complete fury, and she's left emotionally broken. She attempts to seek refuge in her two closest confidants, the Nurse and her mother, but they both end up abandoning her because they feel restricted to go against Capulet's decisions.

The lack of commitment to satisfy her father, is made up in her devotion and dedication to her husband. Tybalt's death at the hand of Romeo disturbs Juliet because she has sentiment for both sides, but her love for Romeo quickly resolves the conflict: "My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain; / And Tybalt's dead, that would have slain my husband. / All this is comfort." (3.2.105-107) The fact that Juliet is willing to sacrifice her own kin to be with Romeo demonstrates her loyalty and respect. She displays immense courage in every decision she makes. From desiring Romeo, to faking her death, to the ultimate sacrifice of taking her own life, Juliet portrays her new image of a focused, passionate lover, not allowing any circumstance to change her mind, including the power of patriarchy over her.

The idyllic housewife, Lady Capulet, is a loving, virtuous, and obedient wife who is completely supportive of her husband’s wishes above the well-being of her daughter. Throughout the entire play, Lady Capulet is an extension of her husband, promoting his judgments and requests. She acts as his ambassador when she informs Juliet of Paris' desires and intentions. Comparing Juliet to other girls her age already married, Lady Capulet encourages her to "love the gentleman" (1.3.81) and to "behold him at [the] feast" (1.3.82). As she talks highly of Paris, she fulfills her motherly duties by giving her tips on how to find love with a man (1.3.83-86). Lady Capulet then disappears until act three scene four, where Capulet instructs her with direct orders to go to Juliet and “prepare her” for her “wedding day" (3.4.31-32). Immediately, Lady Capulet submits to his authority and carries out the order. When