Romeo And Juliet

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“Romeo and Juliet is a story of revolt against authority.” Discuss. Much of Romeo and Juliet involves the lovers’ struggles against public and social institutions that either explicitly or implicitly oppose the existence of their love. Such structures range from the concrete to the abstract; the evident adherence to kin, law and the desire for public order, the familial power of the father, the social importance placed on masculine honour and religion. These institutions would result as a battle between the responsibilities and actions demanded by social institutions and those demanded by the private desires of the individual. Though they do not always work in concert, each of these societal institutions in some way present obstacles for Romeo and Juliet. The enmity between their families, coupled with the emphasis placed on loyalty and honor to kin, combine to create a profound conflict for Romeo and Juliet, who must rebel against their heritages. With evidence from one of Romeo and Juliet’s most famous line; “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (II.ii.33), it is manifest that the ancient grudge serves to create a dramatic obstacle which demands the lovers to rue their roots and rebel against authority, in context of their families. This is expressed in a well-known phrase; “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other word would smell as sweet;” (II.ii.43-44). The law and the emphasis on social civility demands terms of conduct with which the blind passion of love cannot comply. One of the first scenes of the play is a brawl between the servants of Capulet and Montague, perceived and scrutinized later on by the Prince Escalus. He interposes between the two houses and declares, “If ever you disturb our streets again,/ Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace.” (I.i.86-87), implying that their hatred doesn’t seem to have any rational cause
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