For those who have read Romeo and Juliet?...?

Question

How does Romeo and Juliet's love threaten those who are in power? What are some examples of Marxism within the play?

Answer 1

First understand that, unlike one previous answerer's comment that "if you want to see something in a text, even if it didn't 'exist' at the time, you can see it," Marxism and all other theories are simply ways of reading. The ideas of Marxist and capitalist and communist and feminist theory have always existed (but, of course, not under these names) in the same way that all ideas which comprise all theories have always existed. These ideas have simply been named after the particular theorists who were the first to collect, organize, codify, and elaborate on them in a cohesive manner in one book or series of writings. Just because Marxism was not formally called Marxism in Shakespeare's time does not mean that Marxist ideas do not exist in his writings (or even that, if he were alive and knew about Marxism today, he would deny seeing these Marxist ideas just because he wrote in a pre-Marxian time).

I also disagree with previous answerers who claimed the Capulets wanted to rule the town and that the marriage would "split the power" between the two families. There's no evidence at all to prove the former claim, and the latter claim is not really Marxist per se.

But the idea of marrying for love (as opposed to arranged marriage), no matter a person's economic class, is a Marxist idea in itself. If everyone just went around marrying whom they loved regardless of their lover's class and financial status, social hierarchies would be simply impossible to maintain (and Marxism is all about destroying the social hierarchies). This king's son would marry this fisherman's daughter; this banker would marry this slave girl; this nobleman's daughter would marry this blacksmith. You would never be able to tell who belonged to what class because people who marry for love ignore and therefore defy class (another Marxist tenet). Love becomes an equalizer.

Juliet's parents were adamant that she have a traditional arranged marriage to Paris, who was of an acceptably high social class. Although Romeo's family was not of a lower class than Juliet's (Romeo's lack of wealth was no problem), they still no doubt would not have not even _heard_ of Juliet choosing her own husband (this would take the power away from her parents and put it into her own hands). So although the story would not have come to a Marxist conclusion had Romeo and Juliet lived because they were of the same class to begin with, the principle upon which their love was based is decidedly Marxist.

Answer 2

Threaten: An aliance between the two most powerful families in Verona would divide the amount of power each family could have.
Marxism:When Friar Lawrence says that he believes the union would quell the fued he was expresing Marxism.
Next time, do your own homework

Answer 3

i guess here is a classical exaple of if u want to see something u will see it. even if its not there. like Marx wasn't even alive for hundreds of years, and his ideas on working classes and capitalist system of government would made no sense to anyone in Shaksperian times.

regardless...let me try...

Capulet family wanted a sole control of Viena, and partnership between their daughter and Romeo was sever blow to their plan.

Marxism...hmm...Romeo calls Juliets cousin his brother...shortly after he kills him. Ops sorry, thats Leninism.

Answer 4

I read it and I saw the movie. I really like it... It's absolutely beautiful play... but unfortunately... I won't be able to help you... Sorry...