What are the social and historical contexts and influences based on love in Romeo and Juliet?

The origins of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is believed to be a poem written by Arthur Brooke in 1562 entitled, “The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet,” which was loosely based upon the novella by Boisteau entitled, Rhomeo and Julietta.  Thus, the play derives from a long-standing literary tradition of interpretations of the real Italian love story form the 3rd Century between the Capeletti and Montecci families. 

The precise publication date of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is unknown, but many scholars date the first appearance between 1594 and 1595.  Therefore, the play emanates from the Elizabethan Era, a time in English history characterized by the age of the renaissance, where significant changes were occurring in religion, politics, science, language and the arts. In regards to love and martial relationships, the Elizabethan Era was a time of relative freedom.

In the critical work by Bruce Young entitled, Family Life in the Age of Shakespeare, he states, “Most historians conclude that love and friendship were essential elements of English marriages throughout the entire early modern period [Renaissance]” (Young 44).  This new attitude toward love is captured through the earnest emotions of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s play.  This is evident in the infamous balcony scene when Romeo professes, “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?  / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (II. i. 44-45).  This metaphor compares Juliet to the sun, illustrating the intensity of feeling that Romeo has for her—he sees her as the light of his world. 

Further, in contrast to the arranged marriages of ancient times, the Elizabethan Era allowed men and women to mingle more freely and choose their own partners.  This again influenced the plot of Romeo and Juliet because both Romeo and Juliet ignored the feuds of their families and insisted on loving each other.   However, the Elizabethan Era did uphold the formal courting standard of getting the approval of a woman’s parents prior to “wooing” her.  In the context of Romeo and Juliet, this standard is not upheld, for Romeo pursues Juliet in secrecy.  Yet, he does so because the Montagues and Capulets are engaged in an ancient feud of hostility.  Therefore, the courtship of Juliet by Romeo gains more significance in a time when it was socially expected to seek parental permission prior to pursuing.