Criticism of the Meaning behind Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Although there is no certain way people can know what Shakespeare's purpose was to writing Romeo and Juliet, one can interpret the true meaning behind his play. In current times most people believe that the purpose, or true meaning, behind Romeo and Juliet was the theme of star-crosses lovers, this theme is heavily accepted among most of the world, usually to the point where all other important possibilities to why Shakespeare wrote the story are lost. For example, one of his purposes for writing Romeo and Juliet was to question the people of power in the late 1500s (Shakespeare's play was published in 1597 but took three years to write). In these times it was impossible to insult the nobles or rulers without consequences, however one can easily analyze that in the story the nobles are constantly making the wrong decisions with no regard for others. For example Romeo makes so many mistakes, being the direct reason behind five deaths, Juliet's, Mercutio's, Paris', Tybolt's, and his own, these deaths are just some of his very selfish mistakes, one more problem that caused more suffering throughout this play was him not being able to control his desire's. Another example is the Prince's incapability to make decisions that would benefit the greater majority. Also the disrespect Lord Capulet shows toward his wife and women in general showcases ignorance and rudeness. The last main problem the royalty had was the feud between the Montague's and the Capulets, and how this feud doesn't take any regard to how it effects other citizens.

Shakespeare has criticized the government in many ways in this play, one of his ways is by focusing on the selfishness and foolishness of Romeo. In the very first act Romeo is love struck by Rosaline and is heartbroken by their break up, but within a few minutes at a party has moved on completely to Juliet; “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night, Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.” Act 1 scene 5, lines 43-53. This is the first piece of evidence because it sets up the premises for how foolish and uncertain Romeo is and further shows that the deaths in this play were not necessary as Romeo and Juliet have only spent a few days together before getting married. Because Romeo moved on from Rosaline so quickly he could most likely move on from Juliet quickly as well, showing that his judgment of the word “love” is illegitimate. Another example of Romeo's disregard for the citizens of Verona is the fact that he caused the death of Mercutio and was so mad at Tybolt that he killed him as well, even though Mercutio clearly states that Romeo was also greatly at fault for his death; “Help me into some house, Benvolio, Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me: I have it, And soundly too: your houses!” Act 3 scene 1 lines 101-104. This shows the disregard that Romeo has for people around him because he is so stubborn that he is not able to admit to himself that Mercutio is dead because of his idiocy. Lastly the fact that he wasn't level headed enough to wait to speak to Friar Lawrence, lead to the death of Juliet, Paris and himself. Ultimately Romeo's stubborn, violent, selfish ways are the reason why five of the main characters died, including himself, in the story.

Another way Shakespeare showed how nobles in power have not made the right decisions is the introduction to the Prince. The Prince had written a law that if a murder happens then the murderer will be killed as well, however he did not put this law into order when Romeo killed Tybolt, instead the Prince exiled Romeo; “And for that offence Immediatly we do exile him hense. I have an interest in your heatrrs' prroceeding: My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; But I'll amerce you with so strong fine That shall all repent the loss of mine. I will be deaf to pleading and excuses, Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses: Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence haste, Else, when he is found, that hour is his last.” Act 3 scene 1, lines 182-191. Even though the Prince did state that if Romeo was to be found he would be killed, he did not put a bounty on Romeo and did not put the necessary precautions to find Romeo, this a lack of motivation to find Romeo would cause him to escape easily. This decision to spare Romeo mercy was completely foolish and ill-placed because if he would have ordered a death warrant, like the law called for he would have likely saved Juliet's and Paris' life. The Prince likely believed that what he was doing was intelligent but this caused discomfort for many citizens and also caused many deaths, further more if he would have put a bounty for Romeo's life then other citizen's in the city, who are likely very poor, would have been able to gain some money, thus killing two birds with one stone.

Shakespeare created very strong female characters in his play, such as the nurse and Juliet. Even though the time when the play was written, sexism was very present, Shakespeare could be seen as a feminist by empowering women in his story that one could understand from further analyzing these characters. For example, Juliet convinced her father into changing wedding dates for her plan, which not only required a lot of bravery but also intelligence to think of a reason to why the dates should change. Another example to the strength of Juliet was marrying Romeo, Paris was from a high class family and marrying him would put her in a good position for her future, however Juliet chose to marry Romeo, therefore directly disobeying her family, which would cause her to be disowned and she would loose her position in social hierarchy. Another one of the strongest characters in the book is the nurse. Although she worked directly with Juliet, her employer was Lord Capulet, and she went behind Lord and Lady Capulet's back to help Juliet pursue her relationship with Romeo. If the Capulet's found out she would likely loose her job and with no husband to support her would become very poor. She made a decision that had consequences for her in order to help Juliet. Shakespeare created many strong female characters and purposely made Lord Capulet very disrespectful toward women, this not only criticized the royalty of Italy but also the era's view of women. Lord Capulet spoke disrespectfully about young mothers; “And too soon marred are those so early made.” Act 1 scene 2 line 13, and also about his daughter; “Well, he may chance to do some good on her: A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is.” Act 4 scene 2 lines 13-14. Lord Capulet is shown as a representation of the entire royalty and how they are not enlightened enough to view women more than objects.

The last main point that showcased the idea behind Shakespeare critiquing the royalty of his era was the feud between the Montague's and the Capulets'. This feud probably started a long time ago, since no one mentions the reason behind the feud, however neither party is able to forgive each other. This fight has caused many inconveniences with citizens and every one of the deaths happened because of this feud. Both the Montagues and the Capulets are very high on the social rank and if there was no feud then Romeo and Juliet would be able to marry with high praise from there families. However this argument has reached such extreme levels that Juliet is afraid to be with Romeo when her name is still Capulet, this is demonstrated when Juliet states: “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.” Act 2 scene 2 lines 33-36. Also the families' feud ended very suddenly and quickly, even though the feud ended because of their children's death, it was ended without very much development in the end; “O brother Montague, give me thy hand: This is my daughter's jointure, for no more, Can I demand.” Act 5 scene 3 lines 296-298. Also it ended on such good terms that the families decided to build statues of each others children; “But I can give thee more: For I will raise her statue in pure gold; That while Verona by that name is known, There shall no figure at such rate be set, As that of true and faithful Juliet.” and “As rich shall Romeo's by his lady's lie; Poor sacrifices of our enmity!” Act 5 scene 3 lines 299-304. Shakespeare didn't develop the end of the feud to show that there was no point in the fight to begin with, and that the idiocy of the noble's stubborn ways caused the deaths of everyone in the play.

As shown through multiple ways, one can easily determine that the play was written to criticize the rulers of Shakespeare's era, by describing every powerful person in the play as an imbecile and their incapability to use their power well, caused the death everyone in the play. The most common theory behind the true meaning to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is the theme of “star-crossed lovers” although this is very true, it is just a basic understanding of the play. The idea of star crossed lovers is the most direct theme and requires very little analyzation, however if the reader looks deeper into the story, one can easily notice the criticisms Shakespeare made against specific views and people. Such as his era's view of women or the incapability for royalty to rule/have power gracefully. Although there are many theories that can be interpreted for Shakespeare's meaning behind the play, the idea that he wrote it to criticize the nobles in a non-direct way is the most developed and provides the most evidence.

Bibliography

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. N.p.: n.p., 1597. Print.

Bevington, David. "Romeo and Juliet." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 07 June 2017. <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Romeo-and-Juliet>.

Gale, Thomas. "Star-Crossed Lovers." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Culture Society History. Encyclopedia.com, 2007. Web. 07 June 2017. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/star-crossed-lovers> .

"Romeo and Juliet (Vol. 65)." Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/critical-essays/romeo-and-juliet-vol-65>.

McFadden, Joseph. "The Feminist Approach in Romeo and Juliet." Prezi.com. Prezi, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 07 June 2017. <https://prezi.com/svlj2ityhjku/the-feminist-approach-in-romeo-and-juliet/>.