Elizabethan Values in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Shakespeare utilises themes that convey Elizabethan values throughout the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Themes such as fate, love and consequence and free will. These themes are a reflection of Elizabethan times and the values that were upheld. Shakespeare specifically displays how different scenarios were treated shown by the actions and consequences represented in the play.

Shakespeare successfully represents fate in ‘Romeo and Juliet. Using techniques such as foreshadowing, metaphors and diction. These three techniques help resemble Elizabethan values by clearly stating the behaviour and values represented and respected in Elizabethan times. In Act II scene iv, the Nurse states “If ye should lead her into a fool’s paradise”. This statement shows the use of a metaphor as it compares the benefits of the relationship to Romeo’s behaviour. Subsequently, Romeo’s behaviour in the time of the Elizabethan period isn’t exactly withheld to its standards. As a matter of Romeo’s behaviour, it plays part in various controversial tragedies across the play which leads to an untimely ending. In Act II scene iii Friar states “Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometimes by action dignified.” This line shows that Friar has predicted the misfortune that is to come in Romeo and Juliet resulting in the use of foreshadowing. When Juliet says “What must be shall be” in Act 4 scene i, it displays the use of diction because of the words chosen in her line. This line displays a message to the audience that Juliet has accepted her fate in life knowing that she can’t oppose her parent's orders. Fate is displayed throughout the play using various techniques from different acts. As a result of the theme of fate being used in the play, it helps link back to the Elizabethan Era by representing how people acted in the 1500s. 

Contradicting fate, Shakespeare conveys free will in ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Free will shows one's ability to make their own choices, and it is shown in the Elizabethan Era throughout the play connecting free will to the 1500s. Acts I and IV both have lines that portray Juliet’s perspective and thoughts, giving an insight into how she is treated and how free will is conveyed in the Elizabethan Era. In Act I scene iii, Juliet states “It is an honour that I dream not of”. This line uses diction, which helps express Juliet’s thoughts on marriage, in her polite decline of the offer to marry Paris. This relates back to the Elizabethan Era as it shows how women were often treated, by not having much say in any situation. However, this quote from Juliet contradicts the norm behaviour of Elizabethan times by standing up for herself and having the ability to make her own choice. Relating to Juliet’s free will, she states in Act IV scene I, “O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, From off the battlements of yonder tower”. This line uses a simile comparing death to marrying Paris. Again portraying Juliet’s ability to make her own choice. Free will relates to the Elizabethan Era in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as it is used throughout various occasions which helps show us how people acted in the 1500s. 

By using both free will and fate it enables the audience to compare and contrast the two themes. Each theme portrays Elizabethan values shown in the way the characters behave. This is evident in the theme of fate when the nurse explains to Juliet how Romeo’s behaviour will have consequences in the future. Values were further displayed under the theme of free will when Juliet compares death to marrying Paris, showing a rare insight into independence from a younger woman in the Elizabethan Era, which contradicts how women were meant to behave. Together, both fate and free will enable the ability to show the audience how Shakespeare utilises various themes that convey Elizabethan values.