Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in the 16th century, at a time when a woman's role was to be submissive to men and act as a wife to their husband and a mother to their children. Women were expected to conform to societal expectations and were considered property by their fathers and husbands. Fathers arranged marriages for their daughters, usually to obtain financial or social gain for the family. In Romeo and Juliet, the unfair treatment of women is conveyed by characters such as Juliet, a young girl who grows up according to society's expectations, and Lady Capulet, who represents a traditional side of love and values ​​social position rather than men themselves. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet focuses on the relationship between two young protagonists, but much of what happens during the play is the result of inequality between men and women. Juliet's arranged marriage to Paris, as well as the ancient feud between Capulet and Montagues, ultimately contribute to the deaths of their children. In Act 1, Scene 2, Paris asks Capulet: "But now, my lord, what say you of my trial?" which shows that Capulet and Paris discuss Juliet's possible marriage without consulting her, perhaps implying that they think she is too naive to decide her future. They arrange her marriage for her, implying that men had great control over women's lives, especially their daughters. The scene shows how Juliette is subject to parental influence, and how she is very constrained since her father can force her to marry whoever he wants. Juliette's status as a woman leaves her no power or choice in deciding who she should marry. Throughout the scene, it feels like Capulet is killed...... middle of paper ......t will accept his proposal. Lord Capulet takes it for granted that his daughter will do as he tells her, saying "I will make a desperate offer / Of my child's love", removing responsibility from Juliet and perhaps suggesting that she cannot decide for herself. Juliet's parents seem to understand her grief at first, but then plan the wedding in just 3 days, giving her no time to grieve. Capulet is very authoritarian towards his wife, asking her to "go and see Juliet" and to "prepare". her' for marriage. This shows us that Capulet has no doubt that his wife will do as she is told, and the use of imperative verbs such as "go" and "prepare" implies that the women were forced to obey the orders. instructions from their husband. We are also shown that the mother's role was to prepare her daughter for her wedding day. Works CitedRomeo and Juliet sparknotes shmoop