Gender Stereotyping

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, there are many gender stereotypes being portrayed by William Shakespeare. The quote "Draw, if you be men!" (1.1) which is said by Sampson to Abram when the servants of the Capulet family are about to fight with the servants of the Montague family is an example of gender stereotyping in the play. Sampson is basically telling Abram to make a move if he is actually a "man". This quote shows the honor of masculinity. The stereotype in this quote is, if you want to prove that you are a true man you are apparently supposed to be "strong" and "courageous", which in this specific situation is to make the first move in the fight. This stereotype, of men having to be masculine, strong and courageous in order to be classified as a true man, is present in society even today.