context romeo and juliet

Question 1

Shakespeare’s Time

Answer 1

Shakespeare wrote his plays at the time of
two monarchs. his tragedies were written in the 17th
century and was extremely popular in his lifetime, as it is now

Question 2

Elizabethan England and Italy

Answer 2

Shakespeare frequently engaged
with Italy in his plays
romeo and juliet set in verona italy

Question 3

Religion

Answer 3

Europe that was deeply religious

Question 4

Patriarchal Society

Answer 4

Shakespeare’s time was patriarchal – women

were considered inferior to men

Question 5

Astrology the Supernatural

Answer 5

,the belief in both astronomy and the
supernatural was far more preeminent than in society
today. The reference to ‘star-cross’d lovers demonstrates the large
role of horoscopes

Question 6

Healthcare and Medicine

Answer 6

Healthcare and medicine were not as
advanced in Shakespeare’s age as they are today – there
were numerous ailments and diseases that were not yet
understood. This makes it much more believable for both
the Capulets and Romeo that Juliet could have died so
suddenly and so young