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).
From this observation name how did traditional gender roles affect the nurse
Traditional gender roles affected the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet by restricting her to a subservient role as a caregiver and confidante to Juliet. Despite being a wise and experienced woman, the Nurse's opinions and ideas are often marginalized by patriarchal authority figures like Capulet, who treat her as a lower-class servant. Additionally, the Nurse's adherence to traditional gender norms of femininity, nurturance, and loyalty to her family and social station puts her in a position of moral conflict when it comes to Juliet's romantic desires and aspirations. Ultimately, the Nurse is caught between her duty to protect Juliet and her deference to the patriarchal and class-bound values of society, which leads to tragic consequences.
Traditional gender roles affected the nurse in Romeo and Juliet in several ways:
1. Subordination: The nurse occupies a lower social status and is subservient to the Capulet family. She is shown as a servant figure who is expected to serve Juliet and her family without question. This subordination reinforces the traditional gender roles of women being in subordinate positions to men.
2. Motherly Role: The nurse functions as a motherly figure to Juliet, assuming a nurturing and caring role. This aligns with the traditional expectation that women are primarily responsible for domestic and maternal duties.
3. Lack of Autonomy: The nurse's opinions are not given much weight or value. She is not seen as having agency or decision-making power, particularly when it comes to Juliet's love life. This lack of autonomy reflects the traditional belief that women should be passive and obedient in their roles.
4. Promoting Stereotypes: The nurse reinforces gender stereotypes through her own speech and behavior. She perpetuates the idea that men are primarily driven by physical desire, as seen in her crude jokes about sexuality. This contributes to the perpetuation of toxic masculinity and reinforces traditional gender norms.
Overall, the traditional gender roles imposed on the nurse in Romeo and Juliet contribute to her marginalization and limited agency within the play.