Using Context (AO3):

No text exists in a vacuum. It is a product of everything happening around its production (the life of the author, the “trends” in literature at the time, social and historical factors, and more) as well as its reception (how audiences would receive it at the time, and now – and every year between). Because of this, examiners think you should be able to talk about context when you talk about the text. Remember: Con = with; Text = text. 

Because the focus is on the relationship between text and context, there is no point in mentioning anything in this study note unless you are linking it to the text. This is not a History exam! If you are talking about Lady Macbeth as a woman wrestling with femininity and power, then by all means bring in Queen Elizabeth I. If not, save that contextual knowledge for another essay. Avoid a “brain dump” of all the knowledge you have; be picky and precise.

Try and bring some contextual knowledge into each analytical paragraph, but you shouldn’t need more than a sentence or two to explain it. Use a signpost phrase like “In the 17th Century”, or even “Contextually speaking” to alert your examiner to the AO3 opportunity, and then link your analysis to the contextual insight with a phrase like, “It is perhaps unsurprising, considering”, or “This factor may be explained by”. 

The Influence of Elizabeth I on Courtly Love

When Romeo and Juliet was written (around 1595), England was ruled by Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603), a monarch who remained unmarried throughout her reign. While Elizabeth used this to her political advantage—flirting with foreign suitors to strengthen alliances—her singleness also reinforced the idea that romantic love and marriage were not always the highest priorities in life.

This contrasts with the intense and impulsive love of Romeo and Juliet, which is presented as both idealistic and dangerous. Shakespeare’s portrayal of love—particularly in contrast to the arranged marriage between Juliet and Paris—highlights the tensions between personal desire and societal expectations.

Elizabethan audiences would have recognised this tension, as marriage was often a matter of duty rather than personal affection. Love as a form of rebellion, as seen in Romeo and Juliet, was a radical idea, making the play especially striking to its original audience.

The Feuding Houses and Elizabethan Political Conflicts

The bitter feud between the Montagues and Capulets mirrors the political and family rivalries of Elizabethan England. The Wars of the Roses (1455–1485), which saw rival noble families vying for control of the English throne, were still fresh in cultural memory. Elizabeth I, as the last of the Tudor line, faced constant threats of rebellion. Similarly, the tensions in Romeo and Juliet suggest that unchecked hatred and political divisions lead to destruction—something Elizabeth’s court was keenly aware of.

The Role of Fate and Free Will in Elizabethan Thought

One of the play’s central themes is fate, which was a crucial concept in Elizabethan belief systems. The idea that people’s lives were predetermined was closely linked to astrology, which many people, including Elizabeth I, took seriously. Shakespeare directly references this in the famous prologue:
"A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life" [Prologue].

This raises a key question:

• Do Romeo and Juliet die because of fate, or because of their own reckless choices?

Elizabethan audiences were divided on this issue. The Protestant Reformation, which had reshaped England’s religious landscape, emphasised personal responsibility and free will. However, belief in destiny remained strong. Shakespeare plays with both ideas, leaving room for interpretation.

Fathers and Daughters in a Patriarchal Society

Juliet’s struggle against her father, Lord Capulet, reflects the rigid expectations of women in Elizabethan society. Marriage was often a business transaction, decided by the father to secure wealth or social status. Capulet initially seems protective, telling Paris:
"Let two more summers wither in their pride / Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride" [1.2].
However, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, his tone changes dramatically:
"Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch!" [3.5].

This aggressive reaction was common in a society where daughters were expected to obey their fathers without question. Juliet’s resistance would have been shocking to many Elizabethan audiences, reinforcing her role as a tragic figure.

Love and Masculinity

Romeo’s emotional and poetic nature sets him apart from the traditional Elizabethan idea of masculinity, which emphasised strength, honor, and physical prowess. His best friend, Mercutio, frequently mocks his romanticism, implying that love makes him weak. This reflects the tension in Elizabethan society between love as an ideal and love as a distraction from male honor and duty.

However, Shakespeare ultimately challenges this idea. Romeo, despite his initial idealism, proves himself a decisive and formidable figure when he kills Tybalt. The play suggests that love and masculinity are not incompatible—but when combined with violence, they can be deadly.

Religion and the Role of Friar Laurence

In Elizabethan England, the Reformation had divided the country between Catholicism and Protestantism. Although England was officially Protestant under Elizabeth I, Catholic traditions still lingered. Friar Laurence, a Catholic monk, plays a crucial role in the lovers’ fate. His involvement—conducting the secret wedding, devising the potion plan—suggests both wisdom and recklessness.
His famous warning to Romeo,
"These violent delights have violent ends" [2.6],
foreshadows the tragic conclusion, but his failure to properly control the situation makes him an ambiguous figure.
His role would have been especially significant to Elizabethan audiences, who were deeply divided over the morality of Catholic priests. Some might have seen him as a well-meaning but flawed character, while others might have viewed him as a symbol of the corruption of old religious orders.

Shakespeare’s Audience and the Message of the Play

Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet when he was establishing himself as a playwright. His audience included both the upper and lower classes, meaning his plays had to appeal to a wide range of people. The romantic poetry of Romeo and Juliet would have pleased nobles and intellectuals, while the sword fights and comic moments (such as the Nurse’s bawdy humor) entertained commoners.

Despite being a tragedy, the play contains many comedic elements in the first half. This blend of tones reflects Shakespeare’s skill in crafting stories that resonate on multiple levels.

Shakespeare’s Sources and the Influence of Tragedy

Like many of Shakespeare’s plays, Romeo and Juliet was not an entirely original story. It was based on Arthur Brooke’s The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (1562), which itself was adapted from earlier Italian tales. However, Shakespeare made significant changes, particularly in deepening the characters and making Juliet a more active, rebellious figure.

Additionally, the play draws on classical tragedy. Greek philosopher Aristotle outlined the concept of hamartia (a fatal flaw) in tragedy, and Romeo’s impulsiveness fits this mold. Furthermore, Senecan tragedy, which was popular in Renaissance England, emphasised dramatic deaths and intense emotions—elements that are fully present in Romeo and Juliet.

The Role of Violence and Honor

While Romeo and Juliet is a love story, it is equally a play about violence. The feud between the Montagues and Capulets dominates the narrative, making it clear that love struggles to survive in a world governed by pride and revenge.

Tybalt is the embodiment of this violent culture, seeing any slight against his honor as a cause for bloodshed. His famous line,
"What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee" [1.1],
illustrates how deeply ingrained conflict is in Verona.

Romeo, despite being a lover, ultimately falls into this world of violence when he kills Tybalt. His inability to escape the cycle of revenge is a key factor in his tragic fate.

Shakespeare’s message here is clear: honor and pride, when taken to extremes, lead to destruction. This would have resonated with an Elizabethan audience familiar with dueling culture, where insults often led to deadly sword fights.