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The Norms and Values in Verona in Romeo and Juliet

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Submitted By graceking13
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Explore the presentation of norms and values within Verona

During this essay I will focus on how society at the time had an impact on Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. I will explore how the norms and values within institutions in Verona such as ‘the family’ and ‘the church’ played a role the couple’s fate.

A theme throughout the play was love. All the violence and hatred was a result of Romeo and Juliet’s unexpected relationship. The prologue was a sonnet; Shakespeare used the sonnet to remind the audience of romance. Lot’s of love poems at the time were in sonnet form. He was reminding the audience that ultimately what causes all the violence and betrayal is love.

Religion and the Church had a massive impact and held a great power over people during the 16th Century. In some ways religion was more powerful than the law. When Romeo and Juliet first met they fell madly in love, ‘My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough tough with a tender kiss’. So to live by the moral rules set by the church they had to marry. Friar Lawrence’s role in the church gave him a lot of power and earned him a lot of respect and so the couple were over joyed when he agreed to wed them in the church ‘In one respect I’ll they assist be; For this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households’ rancour to pure love.’

Religion is a powerful force within the play as a whole. During the 16th century people couldn’t live together before marriage and divorce was practically impossible. So when the couple wed they were aware that Juliet couldn’t be forced to marry Paris as it would have been breaking the law and they would go to hell.

Power and relationships within the family massively impacted Romeo and Juliet’s fate. If a couple was wealthy and both individuals had a high status they were seen as very powerful in Verona in the 16th Century. Marriage

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