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   jamie-wheeler Teacher
   College - Sophomore

   Social conflict is evident in the changing notions about marriage.  Previous to the Renaissance, most marriages of the upper classes were based not on love, but on the benefit of the families via the unions of their children.  In Romeo and Juliet, the pair clearly buck the trend.  Although Lord Capulet has selected Paris for Juliet to marry, she has her own ideas:  she does not love Paris in a romantic way; only Romeo will do.

   As for religion, we need to think historically about what was happening during Shakespeare's time to understand the implications of the indictment of Catholicism.  Protestantism was trying to crush Catholicism and often tried to paint its followers as evil and corrupt.  In the play, Father Laurence is the embodiment of this evil.  Not only does he misguide the young lovers, he also dabbles in potion mixing, a very telling allusion to the occult, and therefore, of evil.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo/critical-commentary

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo/historical-background

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo/themes

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   Posted by jamie-wheeler on Tuesday October 28, 2008 at 7:28 AM