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“Romeo & Juliet, with its focus on a heterosexual romantic relationship and its inclusion of a female protagonist, readily lends itself to feminist critique. Traditional gender roles are imposed on both women and men in the play, which causes all the characters to suffer as the oppression of women and the perpetuation of toxic, stereotypical masculinity lead[s] them to emotional pain and often poor decisions” (Buford, 2018: 54).

In a minimum of 100 words/maximum of 125 words, critically analyse the accuracy of this observation by demonstrating the effects that traditional gender roles have on five of the characters in the play. With intext reference from the play Romeo and Juliet as evidence Harvard referencing style and write it in such a way that it is not detected that it was written by an Ai

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare portrays the negative effects of traditional gender roles on several characters. The female protagonist, Juliet, is a prime example. Her father, Lord Capulet, attempts to control her life by arranging her marriage to Paris without considering her feelings (2.2.121-138). Juliet's rebellion against this decision results in her being labeled a disobedient daughter and shamed (3.5.160-162). Additionally, Romeo's macho persona creates a toxic relationship dynamic between him and Juliet. He pressures her to marry him after they've just met, and she feels pressured to comply with his desires (2.2.94-95). Romeo's insecurity and toxic masculinity are also evident when he kills Tybalt out of revenge (3.1.130-136). Similarly, Tybalt's portrayal as an aggressive, hyper-masculine character leads to his tragic death. The play exposes the detrimental consequences of perpetuating gender stereotypes, which cause emotional pain and tragedy amongst all characters involved.

The observation that traditional gender roles in Romeo and Juliet lead to emotional pain and poor decisions for the characters is accurate. Firstly, Juliet is expected to submit to her father's authority and marry Paris, which causes her inner struggles as she desires to follow her heart and be with Romeo (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 3, Scene 5). This conflict between societal expectations and personal desires leads to her secret engagement and ultimately tragic end. Secondly, Romeo's adherence to toxic masculinity ideals, such as impulsive actions driven by his ego, results in tragic consequences. For instance, his decision to duel and kill Tybalt after Mercutio's death worsens the ongoing feud between their families (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 3, Scene 1). This toxic masculinity also prevents Romeo from seeking help or considering alternative solutions, leading to his hasty decision to take his own life upon hearing of Juliet's fake death (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 5, Scene 3). Similarly, Paris embodies traditional gender roles as he seeks to marry Juliet solely due to her beauty and social status (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 1, Scene 2). This shallow perspective causes him to overlook Juliet's genuine feelings and leads to his demise as he becomes entangled in the tragedy. Furthermore, Lady Capulet also suffers from the limitations imposed by traditional gender roles. Her inability to connect with Juliet on a deep emotional level, as a result of being distanced by societal expectations, contributes to the lack of understanding and communication between them (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 3, Scene 5). Finally, the Nurse, while acting as a maternal figure to Juliet, reinforces traditional gender roles by prioritizing societal norms over Juliet's happiness. By advising Juliet to forget Romeo and marry Paris, the Nurse inadvertently supports the oppression of women and contributes to Juliet's emotional pain (Shakespeare, 2016, Act 3, Scene 5). In conclusion, the traditional gender roles depicted in Romeo and Juliet have a detrimental impact on the characters, leading them to suffer emotional turmoil and make poor decisions.