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Kelly Parks

Dr. Chad Thomas

EH 461-01

March 2, 2018

Early Feminism in Romeo and Juliet Commented [KP1]: Of course, all of this will be plucked
out and put into a PowerPoint, I will integrate video clips
and sonnet readings where appropriate, if appropriate.
Many readers see Romeo and Juliet as a story about star-crossed lovers who tragically

end their lives because they cannot imagine being separated due to irreconcilable family

differences. However, this is more the story of tragic lovers; it is a push for women’s rights. Commented [KP2]: Paragraph one will be an intro slide,
with each of the main points to be addressed.
Women in all stations of life had little to no agency at the time Romeo and Juliet was written, but Commented [KP3]: The story of two tragic lovers?
Commented [KP4]: …[early]… in the late 16th century to
William Shakespeare has different ideas. William Shakespeare is a proponent of early feminism early 17th century

and female agency. This is strongly demonstrated in his play Romeo and Juliet. Specifically, he

uses the young and fiery Juliet to drive his agenda forward. Through the initial refusal of being

married at fourteen, then choosing her own partner, Juliet sets forth that she will be her own

agent. Juliet does not simply try to run away from the problems presented to her by the Commented [KP5]: Juliet will not be told what to do by
the patriarchal figures in her life (or something to the affect).
patriarchy. She faces the patiarchy head on, by voice and action. On multiple occasions, she Commented [KP6R5]: Opted not to change
Commented [KP7]: Combine with added sentence
refuses to marry a man she does not love, then she does something about it, and she ultimately somehow.
Commented [KP8]: By voice and action
dies for what she believes in. By using Juliet as his envoy, Shakespeare vocalizes his belief that
Commented [KP9]: On multiple occasions
women should have a more substantial voice in their own lives.
Commented [KP10]: Then she does…

Shakespeare argues that women should have a say in when and to whom they will be
married. In 1.3, Juliet’s mother comes to her before she is fourteen, with a mind to marry her off.
Before Lady Capulet can tell her daughter the name of her match, Juliet informs her that
Commented [KP11]: Paragraph two will be another slide,
and will likely be a clip from a version of a the play which
portrays Juliet’s defiance. The 1997 version is actually a
really fantastic iteration.
Commented [KP12]: This whole sentence could also use
restructuring, I think

marriage “is an honor that I dream not of .” (1.3.71) Juliet’s outright rejection of being wed at
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shy of fourteen years old is Shakespeare’s first declaration that women ought to have the right to

control their own lives. He does not believe there is any reason for women to have to marry at

such a young age if they choose not to, and Juliet is his chosen voice for the argument. Commented [KP13]: His *chosen* voice

Shakespeare also advocates for women choosing their own spouses, rather than being

partnered with someone because of status or money. After Juliet rejects marriage to the County Commented [KP14]: Rather than being partnered with
someone because of money or status.
Paris, she eventually concedes to marry, but she chooses a partner for herself. Juliet falls in love Commented [KP15]: Another slide here.
Commented [KP16]: eventually
with and declares her love for Romeo in Act I and Act II. It is particularly important to note that

in 1.5, when Romeo and Juliet meet, their exchange is equal. Romeo’s declarations of love do

not overpower, and are not directed at, Juliet. Rather, they share a moment of parity when they

create a sonnet from 1.5.104-117. When the they meet again in 2.2, it is Juliet that states, “I gave Commented [KP17]: This may be a moment to read the
sonnet or show a clip of the sonnet.
thee mine [faithful vow] before thou didst request it,” (2.2.135). Juliet is saying to Romeo that

she has already claimed him for herself. Throughout the second half of 2.2 Shakespeare uses
Juliet to hold power over Romeo, lending much proof that he is a strong supporter of women
having their own voices.
Commented [KP18]: This should be two sentences. Stop
at the end of the quote, then… She is telling Romeo she has
already claimed him for herself- or something like that.
Commented [KP19]: More, or much more

Shakespeare further strengthens his leading lady’s agency by involving her in the making Commented [KP20]: This slide might be a clip, or I may
just read a handful of quotes from 2.5 when Juliet is planning
to run off to marry Romeo.
of her own wedding plans. Juliet sets her nurse into action by sending her to learn of whether the

marriage can take place, and later goes on her own to meet with Romeo and the Friar. She does Commented [KP21]: New sentence

not take her nurse with her saying, “Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell,” (2.5.84)

pointing, again, to the idea that women are quite capable of handling their own affairs. Juliet Commented [KP22]: Once more?

does not need someone to look after her, as she is a capable young woman.

William Shakespeare believes women are adept at controlling their own minds and

bodies. Not only does Juliet refuse her father’s proposal of marriage to the County Paris, but Commented [KP23]: Another slide, maybe just chatting
about it here. No clips- they can become overwhelming.
Juliet seeks aid from Friar Lawrence in order that she may flee to Mantua with Romeo.
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Everyone, even her nurse, tries to persuade Juliet to give herself over to Paris, but Juliet will not

be ruled by a man, especially one she does not love. Juliet will not even offer Paris a hint of her

affections when she happens upon him at Friar Lawrence’s cell. She says to him at the beginning

of 4.1, “That may be, when I may be a wife,” (4.1.19), after he greets her his is wife a week

before their wedding. She does this to indicate she has no intention of marrying him. Juliet

demands that Friar Lawrence, “Give me some present counsel, or, behold, ‘Twixt my extremes

and me this bloody knife, Shall play the umpire….” (4.1.62-64) Juliet will have help or she will Commented [KP24]: Assistance, aid, service

die.

William Shakespeare makes his final, and most poignant, statement for female agency in Commented [KP25]: Another slide, and most certainly a
clip of the death scene
Romeo and Juliet when, in 5.3, Romeo is dead, and it seems even the friar would block the path

for this young woman. In 5.3.165 Juliet tells Friar Lawrence to be gone because she will have her

life no other way except with Romeo, which now means no life at all. With this, she says a final

goodbye to her love and meets him in death. Juliet has control of her life all the way until her

death. Commented [KP26]: Until the end

Shakespeare believes that women should have the right to speak for themselves in regard Commented [KP27]: Conclusion slide
Commented [KP28]: Just speak
to their lives. He is undoubtedly a supporter of early feminism and women’s agency. Through his

writing of Juliet, it is difficult to see how he could not be, since she is quick to stand for what she

wants from her love and personal lives. Many young women in Juliet’s position would never

dream of telling their mothers and fathers, “No,” but Juliet is written with such a voice that we

can look at her today as a sort of early light post for women’s rights. Shakespeare did not write a

shrinking violet or a wallflower when writing Juliet. He wrote a wild, thorny rose. Juliet has the

will to go and grow where she pleases.

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Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2011.