Hegemonic Masculinity in

Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet

Author:

M. Fazlur Rahman R. A. / 2011-1111-112

Abstract
This

paper

will

analyze

the

representation

of

gender

stereotype using hegemonic masculinity approach (Connell &

Messerschmidt 2005) in the Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet
(1595). Result of the analysis demonstrate the utterance said by
men character in Romeo and Juliet to prove their masculinity:
The relation between masculinity and the value of honor, The
relation between masculinity and the value of friendship, and
The relation between masculinity and the value of love. Based on
the analysis, there is a linear relation between masculinity with
honor and between masculinity with friendship. On the other
hand, masculinity and the value love are at odd with each other.
The

analysis

hegemonic

reveals

masculinity

Romeo
that

and

relies

Juliets
on

the

traditional

brotherhood,

physical

strength, competitiveness, and the ability to exercise control

over another.

Keywords: hegemonic masculinity, honor, friendship, love

Introduction
Masculinity
Masculinity has been varied based on its context and culture. Those
various kinds of masculinity form an utmost concept namely hegemonic
masculinity (Connell & Messerschmidt 2005). Drama is one form of literary
works where hegemonic masculinity is sublimated on its actor. While
athletes and movie starts become the representation of masculinity, most
men in drama can be an example of the attempts to emulate masculinity
in the authors era. For example, most of young and old men of Verona
attempt to engage a stranger and cross path despite petty reason or
simply family names difference. Men in this drama are the epitome of
struggle of hegemonic masculinity. There is more machismo in Romeo and
Juliet than in soccer players locker room stereotype. This paper will
demonstrate how hegemonic masculinity influence the relation between
the value of honor, the value of friendship, and the value of love
represented in the Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet

Tragedy

was

barely

become

trending

play

when

its

being

juxtaposed with love. Before William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet,
love theme was always a honeyed works. A story about two young loving
teenagers, escape from the defying family, risk everything for love should
be ended with happy ending. But William Shakespeare made it as a
tragedy to twist the conventional plot. This is why The Tragedy of Romeo
and Juliet (c. 1595) is considered the greatest love story of all time.
This play was written at the beginning of Shakespeares career as a
playwright. Once the play is on, its automatically hit the market. Its not
even a sleeper hit. This play was really famous by the time Shakespeare
plays this drama. It was seriously popular; traditional printing press of that
time had decided to print the play twice. Twice is a big deal at
Shakespeares era, considering the printing press technology is limited

only to a certain length. The play was published on 1597 and 1599. Both
are being published with the highest possible quality of printing press.
Originally, Shakespeare adapted an old English poetry of Arthur
Brookes' Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet (1592). The poem itself was
originally based on a long aged story of a novella Mariotto and
Giannozza written by Masuccio Salernitano in 1476. Shakespeare doesnt
just remake the whole story. He made it immortal and everlasting until
now. So many scene was memorable and recognizable above every
literature men has ever made. Shakespeare turn a mere old poetry into a
powerful emotional play mankind has ever written.
Besides being a hit in Shakespeares age, the immortality of this
story was proven in modern age. Franco Zeffirelli made an Oscar winning
film in 1968 about two young lover in a mid of mafia battle, Romeo and
Juliet. The play itself has gone through remade into a musical, West Side
Story (1957), and won a Tony Award for best musical. Almost any
forbidden love story trope can be traced back as the derivation of Romeo
and Juliet: Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, etc.

Masculinity in Romeo and Juliet

There are many hegemonic masculinity stereotype depicted in the
utterance of actors on the play. Shakespeare utilize machismo or
aggressive masculine pride to reveal comedy, while at the same time set
it up as tragedy in a later part. Not much said about the conflict behind
the great rivalry between The Montague and The Capulet. These two
warring familys main struggle is easily noticeable only in their masculine
charged battle between their young and old generation. Romeo Montague
constantly torn between defending his honor, brotherhood and defending
his adolescent first love.

Hegemonic Masculinity
The researcher uses Connells Hegemonic Masculinity to reveal the
relation between masculinity and three important values upheld by men
of Verona: honor, brotherhood, and love. Connell stated that the relation

between gender has been one sided: the global dominance of men over
women. He also stated that Hegemonic Masculinity centralized on how
men maintaining status quo to prevent femininity gaining cultural
recognition. Connell support his idea by stating that femininity has never
been hegemonic, hegemonic can only be found among men. Hegemonic
masculinity can be defined as a social ascendancy achieved in a play of
social forces that extends beyond contests of brute power into the
organization

of

private

life

and

cultural

processes

(Connell

&

Messerschmidt 2005). Ascendancy achieved through violent threats or

force, embedded in religious doctrine and practice, etc (Ibid).
The

aims

of

hegemonic

masculinity

are

subordination

not

elimination of femininity because men get the most benefit from

subordination. Hegemonic masculinity has a mixed strategy of, "openings
towards domesticity and openings towards violence, towards misogyny
and towards heterosexual attraction" (Ibid). The ideals of manhood based
on hegemonic masculinity suggested a number of characteristics: violence
and aggression, stoicism (emotional restraint), courage, toughness, risktaking, adventure and thrill-seeking, competitiveness, and achievement
and success (Ibid).

Aims of Study
Based on many examples of hegemonic masculinity depicted in
Romeo and Juliet, the author of this paper will analyze the hegemonic
masculinity element which in turn, drive and lead many of its character
into action. Hegemonic Masculinity can be considered an interesting
approach to analyze masculine gender element in a literary works. After
doing some literary research on Internet, there is no such research with an
object and approach using hegemonic masculinity to analyze Romeo and
Juliet in the past. So, the researcher guarantees the originality of this
research.

Analysis
This research is using descriptive analysis to prove hegemonic
masculinity in Romeo and Juliet. The writer will also analayze three
relations between masculinity and values depicted in the Play. The writer
will analyze:
1. The relation between masculinity and the value of honor
2. The relation between masculinity and the value of friendship
3. The relation between masculinity and the value of love

Excerpt 1
Statement: Gregory and Sampson is talking bad about Montague family,
they are from Capulet family. They are using hegemonic masculinity
characteristic to promote misogynist.
Quote:
SAMPSON
True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust
to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust
his maids to the wall.
GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and. us their men.
SAMPSON
'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the
men, I will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads.
GREGORY
The heads of the maids?
SAMPSON
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads, take it in what sense
thou wilt
(1.1.6)

Theory: This conversation is in rhyme with Connells idea that Hegemonic

masculinity has mixed strategies of openings towards violence and
misogyny.
Analysis: Gregory uses rape and murder language to define what is
masculine in a really brutal and antisocial way, which hates the head of
maids by means of rape and murder. Sampson is a hotheaded servant. To
prove his masculinity to Gregory, he is exercising his hegemonic nature
toward woman. By doing so, he is creating a sense of brotherhood with
Gregory, a fellow Capulet servant. It can be concluded that the relation
between masculinity and the sense of friendship is linear in this
conversation.

Excerpt 2
Statement: Sampson draws out his sword and metaphorically compares it
with his sexual device. He uses hegemonic masculinity to proof his
manliness.
Quote:
SAMPSON
My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee.
(1.1.10)

Theory: Sampsons action is in rhyme with Connells idea that Hegemonic

masculinity is a social ascendancy achieved in a play of social forces, for
example, a contest of brute power.
Analysis: Sampson is taunting his naked sword and he swears he will
forcefully use it against the Montague in a same way he will rape a
woman. He wants to shows his loyalty for Capulet House by picking fight
with

Montague

family,

Abraham.

It

can

be

concluded

that

this

conversation shows that proving ones honor is equal with exercising

hegemonic masculinity toward woman.

Excerpt 3
Statement: Gregory and Abraham are defending each others pride of
their own House. Their conversation escalated from simple insult into man
action because of competitiveness among men of Verona.
GREGORY [House of Capulet]
Do you quarrel, sir?
ABRAHAM [House of Montague]
Quarrel sir! no, sir.
SAMPSON [House of Capulet]
If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
ABRAHAM [House of Montague]
No better.
SAMPSON [House of Capulet]
Well, sir.
GREGORY [House of Capulet]
Say 'better:' here comes one of my master's kinsmen.
SAMPSON [House of Capulet]
Yes, better, sir.
ABRAHAM [House of Montague]
You lie.
SAMPSON [House of Capulet]
Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow.
(1.1.14)

Theory: The ideals of manhood based on hegemonic masculinity as

suggested by Connell is depicted in a number of characteristics, one
among those is competitiveness among men.
Analysis: Sampson from the house of Capulet is arguing with Abraham
from the house of Montague about whose house is better. Obviously, no
one wants to give up and the only solution as a man of Verona is by killing

each other. Unable to defend his honor as a member of the House is

perceived as unmanly and thus both sides must escalate this conflict into
action. This conversation can be concluded as a depiction of relation
between masculinity and honor which is linear.

Excerpt 4
Statement: Tybalt, feeling insulted by the Mercutios statement, decided
the only way to get back to him by duel. It depicts how hegemonic
masculinity becomes the reason for duel to death.
Quote:
TYBALT
This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave
Come hither, cover'd with an antic face,
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,
To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
(1.5.2)

Theory: Hegemonic masculinity, as stated by Connell, can be defined as a

social ascendancy achieved in a play of social forces that extends beyond
contests of brute power.
Analysis: Tybalt tendency to be a hot-blooded swordsman is caused by
rivalry between Montague House and Capulet House. Honor, in the
perspective of Tybalt means revenge against even the teeniest insult
toward his House. If he doesnt get back to Mercutio, his reputation as a
manly figure that always defend the grace of his House will be ruined. The
conclusion of Tybalt statement means that masculinity is linear with the

value of honor. Defending ones masculinity is perceived as defending

ones honor of his House.

Excerpt 5
Statement: Mercution, as a good buddy of Romeo, remind him of his
mistakes for siding with his lover rather than siding with him. Mercurio is
exercising hegemonic masculinity to suppress Romeos affection toward
his love.
Quote:
MERCUTIO
Why, is not this better now than groaning for love?
now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art
thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature:
for this drivelling love is like a great natural,
that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole.
(2.4.20)

Theory: Hegemonic Masculinity, as stated by Connell, centralized on how

male

maintaining

status

quo

to

prevent

female

gaining

cultural

recognition.
Analysis: Mercutio is insulting Romeo for being in love. Mercutio insult
Romeos behavior as a "natural," i.e. someone who's mentally challenged,
and runs around trying to hide a bauble toy (his lover). This shows how
Mercutio undermine Romeo for prioritizing the value of love over
brotherhood. Mercutio looks down on Romeo using Hegemonic Masculinity
tendency to view woman as a subordinate or lower being instead of equal.
Mercutio is actually afraid that Romeos tendency to hide his lover from

him may break the brotherhood bond between them. It can be concluded
that the relation between masculinity and the value of love is conflicting.

Excerpt 6
Statement: Knowing Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, Romeo unleashes his
hegemonic masculinity by dueling Tybalt in a death match.
Quote:
ROMEO
Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain!
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!
Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again,
That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul
Is but a little way above our heads,
Staying for thine to keep him company:
Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.
(3.1.9)

Theory: Romeos monologue is in rhyme with Connells statement.

Hegemonic can only be found among men. Hegemonic masculinity can be
defined as a social ascendancy achieved in a play of social forces that
extends beyond contests of brute power. One of many ways for social
ascendancy is achieved using violence.
Analysis: Romeo reasserts his masculinity by fighting Tybalt even though
he is fully aware who Tybalt is (Juliets cousin). He does this to avenge the
death of his best friend, which nullify Romeos conviction whether or not
Juliet is the most important person in Romeo's life. It can be concluded
that masculinity is conflicting with the value of love.

Excerpt 7

Statement: Friar Laurence is agitated by Romeos behavior for being

womanish. The friar exhibit hegemonic masculinity to stop Romeos
depressed attitude after the death of his lover.
Quote:
FRIAR LAURENCE
Hold thy desperate hand:
Art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art:
Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote
The unreasonable fury of a beast:
Unseemly woman in a seeming man!
Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!
(3.3.14)

Theory: Based on Connells statement, the ideals of manhood based on

hegemonic masculinity suggested a characteristic of stoicism or emotional
restraint.
Analysis:
In Romeo and Juliet, boys should not cry for any reason. Here, the Friar
calls Romeo a "womanish" wimp for crying and threatening suicide after
he looked at Juliet cold body. Friar Laurence doesnt give Romeo a break at
all. Not only has he been in and out of love for the past month, he's just
found out that he's going to be exiled. To make it worse, his only reason to
live for, at the moment, Juliet, has cease to exist. Instead of cheering up
Romeo, Friar Laurence exercise hegemonic masculinity to restraint his
emotion. Friar Laurence doesnt like the idea that a man is crying over
woman. It can be concluded that masculinity doesnt get along well with
the value of love.

Excerpt 8

Statement: Romeo himself is conflicted between defending the honor of

his death brother and protecting the romantic relation with Juliet. In the
end, Romeo chooses to exercise hegemonic masculinity by thinking that
woman is giving him weakness.
Quote:
ROMEO
This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!
(3.1.7)

Theory: Romeos line is in rhyme with Connells statement. He stated that

Hegemonic Masculinity centralized on how men maintaining status quo to
prevent femininity gaining cultural recognition.
Analysis: Romeo accuse himself of being effeminate which means looks
womanish because he is infatuated by woman. "effeminate" didn't just
mean that Romeo is acting like a woman; it meant that Romeo liked
women too much. And infatuated by Juliets beauty would make him soft.
Romeo convinces himself that woman shouldnt be considered as an
important thing in this live. If a man makes woman a priority, he will be
doomed to be a weak and soft person. In Romeo and Juliet, being a man
equals with preventing woman influence ones life. It can be concluded
that masculinity and the value of love is crossing each others path. On
the other hand, maintaining masculinity equals with maintaining the value
of friendship.

Excerpt 9

Statement: Before Tybalt kills Romeo's best mate, he seems fine not
getting caught with the trouble. He knows that upsetting Juliet by fighting
with tybalt is a bad idea. Still, Tybalt exhibit his hegemonic masculinity by
taunting Romeo.
Quote:
ROMEO
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting: villain am I none;
Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.
TYBALT
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.
ROMEO
I do protest, I never injured thee,
But love thee better than thou canst devise,
Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:
And so, good Capulet,--which name I tender
As dearly as my own,--be satisfied. (3.1.1)

Theory: The ideals of manhood based on hegemonic masculinity as

suggested by Connell is depicted in a number of characteristics, one
among those is competitiveness among men.
Analysis:

Tybalts

taunt

can

be

seen

as

hegemonic

masculinity

demonstrated for a reason to draw sword and fight. When Tybalt taunts
Romeo to a duel, Romeo refuses to fight because he's secretly married to
Tybalt's cousin, Juliet. Here, it seems that Romeo's love for his new wife is
the most important thing to him. But, after Tybalt kills Romeo's best friend
later in the scene, all bets are off. It can be concluded that masculinity is
linear with the value of friendship, while later, it doesnt get along with the
value of love.

Conclusion
From the analysis of nine excerpts of lines from Shakespeares
Romeo and Juliet using Connells Hegemonic Masculinity, the researcher
has found the relation between masculinity with the value of friendship,
masculinity with the value of honor, and masculinity with the value of
love. Firstly, there is a linear relation between masculinity with honor
found in excerpt 2, 3, and 4. Secondly, the linear relation can also be
found between masculinity with friendship as depicted on excerpt 1, 8 and
9. On the other hand, masculinity and love cant stand each other, as
demonstrated on excerpt 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
The traditional hegemonic masculinity as depicted on Romeo and
Juliet can be seen as a representation of hegemonic masculinity on
Shakespeares era. In Romeo and Juliet, Hegemonic Masculinity has been
demonstrated by the actor in the selected excerpt. They rely on
brotherhood, physical strength, competitiveness, and the ability to
exercise control over another. Brotherhood is perceived as a value of
friendship that should be shown to each other to represent masculinity.
Physical strength, in a form of swordsmanship, is valued as a way to prove
the manliest man among men of Verona. Competitiveness also become a
major reason for the conflict between of Montague family and Capulet
Family. Exercising control over another is demonstrated by undermining
woman as a way to prevent femininity gaining cultural recognition.
Connells statement has all been true for most part in proving how men of
Verona

use

hegemonic

masculinity

to

undermine

woman

and

acknowledging ones masculinity.

Reference
1. Connell, R.W. 2005. Masculinities. Second Edition. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press.

Appendix I
Summary of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare who was an important figure of the theatre
world passed away on 23 April 1616, his 52nd birthday. The exact reason
of his death is not known although many believe that he was sicketh for
over a month before he died. Shakespeare made many accomplishments
during his years of life. John Shakespeare and Mary Arden gave birth to
eight children, Joan, Margret, Gilbert, Joan, Anne, Richard, and Edmund.
Shakespeare began his education at the age of six at Stratford grammar
school. When he was only eight-teen he married twenty-six year old Anne
Hathaway. On her wedding day she was already 3 months pregnant.
Together they had 3 children their first born was Susanna, later came
twins, Hamnet and Judith. Sadly Hamnet died at the age of 11 for
unknown reasons. On June 5, 1607, Susanna married the famed physician
John Hall. Hall must have had a very good relationship with Shakespeare
because he appointed Susanna and him his will. All that he left to his wife
was his "second best bed. At the age of 28 he was in London involved in
the theatre world. Several of his plays were on the London stage by 1562.
He wrote about 37 plays many of whom many people enjoyed.
One of his most famous plays was the romantic tragedy Romeo and
Juliet. In fact Shakespeares early fame came from this play and also
Midsummer Night's Dream. One of my favorite plays that William
Shakespeare wrote was Romeo and Juliet. It was my favorite play because
it had very intense, yet romantic scenes. Mario Hanna. Another very
famous play was Hamlet who is believed to be named after his son who
passed away, Hamnet. The best tragedy Shakespeare wrote in my
opinion was Hamlet, because it is about the price of Denmark and his
journey for compassion Eric M. Shakespeare was a big sensation in
London by 1606. Critic Francis Meres referred to him as the best English
writer for comedy and tragedy, His life in Silver Street is lit up by a vivid
series of documents According to the Stratford Parish Register records

he was buried on the 25 April, 1616 inside Holy Trinity Church. On his
grave these words were written, Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear to
dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
and cursed be he that moves my bones. William Shakespeare was a
great poet and dramatists. His work will forever be admired in the theatre
world.

Appendix II
Summary of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, arguably Shakespeare's most famous play, begins
with a Prologue explaining that the children of two conflicting families,
Romeo of the Montague family and Juliet of the Capulet family, will both
love and die in the course of this play. Sampson and Gregory, servants to
the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montagues,
start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt
(Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona declares a death penalty for
further conflict between the two families. Meanwhile Capulet (Juliet's
father) is keen for Paris to marry his daughter and plans a party, Romeo
and friends deciding to turn up uninvited. At the Capulet party, Romeo
disguised by a mask, falls in love with Juliet, both quickly learning that
they are the enemies of each other's family.
Ignoring the danger, Romeo climb up the Capulet's wall to be near
Juliet and hiding in her orchard, learns Juliet loves him, the two deciding to
marry. Friar Laurence agrees to marry the two lovers since he hopes this
will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud. The wedding is set for
later that day. The Nurse brings Romeo ropes, allowing him to climb into
his lover's bedchamber as her husband. Later that night, the two lovers
get married. Benvolio and Mercutio (Montague) meet Tybalt (Capulet).
Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo then killing Tybalt and banished from Verona
as ordered by Escalus, the Veronas prince. Juliet learns of Tybalt's death,
mourning her husband's banishment, her husband mourning that he will
not be able to see his wife again. Capulet, unaware of the marriage,

decides that his daughter should marry Paris on Thursday. The two lovers
spend the night together. Juliet, learning that she is about to marry Paris,
tries to fight her father's wishes, only to fail. She decides to commit
suicide if all else fails.
Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a special potion. The potion can
emulate rigor mortis condition for 24 hours. The potion allows her to live
with her husband without conflicts between the two of them in Mantua
since everyone will think she is dead. Hearing that his daughter no longer
opposes the wedding, Capulet, decides to move the wedding forward. It
will now be on Wednesday. Juliet takes the potion, worrying about the
Friar's intentions before the potion takes effect and she falls asleep.
Capulet, hearing Paris' arrival, tells the Nurse to wake his daughter,
discovering she is dead. The wedding preparations are changed to those
of a funeral. In Mantua, Romeo learning of his wife's is death, decides to
risk his life by returning to Verona to see her one last time. He also buys
some poison to kill himself later. Friar Laurence's letter, telling Romeo that
his wife is not dead does not reach him. Friar Laurence heads off to the
Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will soon awake. Paris mourns his
bride that died before the ceremony. Romeo arrives, opening his lover's
coffin to look at her one last time, Paris then attacking him, believing he is
desecrating Juliet's grave.
Romeo kills Paris, placing him beside his wife and then takes his
poison, kissing his wife, and then dying. Friar Laurence arrives too late to
stop the suicide. Juliet, now awake, asks for her husband. Now alone, she
kisses her husband and stabs herself, dying. Escalus, the Capulets and the
Montagues arrive, Balthasar and Friar Laurence explaining all. Escalus
scolds the two families who finally end their feud. The play ends with the
Prince summarizing this tragic love story.