Shakespeare Today: Romeo and Juliet - Context

This video explores the context and themes of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It covers the historical influences on the play, including the lack of concern for plagiarism in Shakespeare's time and the inspiration from Italian novellas. The video discusses the play's genre as a tragedy with comedic elements, the portrayal of love compared to Petrarchan poetry, and the tragic elements influenced by the plague. It also examines the political and religious context, highlighting family feuds and the role of fortune. Finally, it addresses gender roles and family dynamics in Elizabethan society.

Explain how the historical context of the plague influenced Shakespeare's writing in Romeo and Juliet.

What role does the theme of fortune play in the events of Romeo and Juliet?

How does Shakespeare's portrayal of Juliet challenge the patriarchal norms of his time?