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Examples Of Masculinity In Romeo And Juliet

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What is masculinity? Masculinity is a set of attributes, behaviors and roles generally associated with boys and men. In today's society, the perception of masculinity has been reinvented much like many other social issues. Studies show older generations still believe in the idea of masculinity whilst newer generations are breaking away from this very restrictive mold. William Shakespeare's work, Romeo and Juliet, presents readers with the huge part masculinity plays within society due to the characters constant need to prove themselves, Romeo’s struggle to balance his sensitive and tough side, and the role of women.
Brawls between the opposing households, Capulet and Montague, have been sustained due to actions which intend to assert or prove one's masculinity. An example of the assertion being when Gregory exchanges remarks with Sampson like, …show more content…

This struggle is most prominently displayed when Romeo refuses Tybalt’s challenge in which Mercutio utters: “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission,” [61]. Mercutio says this to suggest that refusing a fight is merely submission. Another example of this, happening later in the scene, is when Romeo decides to avenge Mercutio. He does this as much out of grief and as to live up to society's idea of masculinity. This is known to be true because when the fight was beginning, Romeo attempted to create peace and halt the fighting which can be perceived as feminine due to his love of Juliet: “O sweet Juliet/Thy beauty hath made me effeminate/And in my temper soften’d valour’s steel!” [Shakespeare, ]. Romeo then determines that he must fight in order to prove to himself and everyone around him that he’s still a man. Evident in various scenes during the novel, it can be concluded that Romeo attempts to balance both his masculine and soft sides due to societal

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