Even in today’s modern society, many male and female stereotypes are present. These gender stereotypes were even more present during the Middle Ages in which the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare was set. Through characterization, Shakespeare clearly depicts the societal expectation for behavior, beliefs and values in both males and females. However the two lovers in the play, Romeo and Juliet, defy these standards of their time and in turn eventually end up in their ill-fated death. The gender stereotypes during the 14th century consist of men being violent and women being passive, but with Romeo displaying femininity through his romantic ways and Juliet showing an uncommon strength for women during her time, Romeo and Juliet’s unconventional behavior proves how they did not follow the norm at the time. In Verona during the mid 1500’s, the world of males was founded upon violence, sexual dominance, and conquest. Daily life was shown to be full of tense atmospheres, especially with the conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues. The two houses dislike for each other was transmitted all the way down to the lowest positions of servants. During the first act of the play, Shakespeare already demonstrates the violence instilled in males. Sampson, one of the Capulet servants, boasted to another servant, “‘Tis 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” (1.1). These were the thoughts of an average male person during the time. Their instinct and primal desires were acted upon without a second thought of morality or consequence. Male enemies had to be brought down through fighting duels, and women were nothing but objects meant for males to overpower and conquer to satisfy their own sexual needs. Women also had a lot of behavioral expectations they had to follow. They were considered to be