In Act I, Scene I of Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy, the Capulets and the Montagues are in the streets of Verona preparing for a brawl. The two matriarchs of the opposing families arrive. Lady Capulet in response to Old Capulet's request for a sword, tells him why ask for a weapon you really need a crutch, thus mocking his eagerness to join the combat. Lady Montague in response to her husband's attempts to provoke Capulet tells him that he will not take a single step toward their enemy. This scene even though not exclusively between women, gives a look into the actual power these women had over their husbands. It also demonstrates that the women did not have the same animosity towards each other as the men had. These women did not adhere to any limitations based on gender in this scene, since they both spoke their mind in the company of men.

Act I, Scene III, between Juliet, her mother and the nurse shows the formality th

In Much Ado About Nothing, Act III, Scene I, is the first time that there is a situation when there is no men present. Hero is planning to have her cousin, Beatrice, overhear a conversation about Benedick's love and desire for Beatrice. Beatrice listens in secret as planned, as Hero and Ursula discuss how Beatrice would only belittle Benedick if she knew of his love. Beatrice has a complete change of heart and vows to love Benedick if he will have her. Hero is deceiving Beatrice in an attempt to manipulate her feelings. Hero should have been forthcoming and told Beatrice of Benedick's love without the deception. Beatrice has a strong wit, which is used to hide her loneliness, she would rather look strong then vulnerable. She receives protection by using her quick wit to keep exchanges with others shallow. Through the entire play there is not much insight into Beatrice's psyche.

The nurse warns Juliet about her mother coming, this is important because Romeo is in her bed. Juliet would have great troubles if her mother found out that she had lost her virginity. In the exchange between Lady Capulet and Juliet, Juliet is, appearing to hate Romeo and wishes him ill will. Juliet is actually wishing to "wreak the love I bore my cousin" or make love to Romeo again. She tells her mother that she would be glad to behold Romeo dead, but I think she is implying the she will never be satisfied until she has him and that her heart is dead without him in her life. Her mother tells Juliet of her scheduled marriage to Paris and how caring her father has been in choosing such a deserving mate. She tells her mother that she will not marry Paris, that she would rather marry Romeo, whom she hates. There is a detached, impersonal feeling from all of the exchanges between Juliet and her mother. It seems to be a very unnatural relationship. Her parents refuse to listen to her thoughts about not marrying Paris. Juliet carries a handsome fortune as the sole heir to her father's estate but she is powerless to oppose his choice of whom she is to marry; it is an arranged marriage and it will occur regardless. Her father tells her that he will drag her to church if she does not obey. The only person who tries to help the parents see Juliet's view is the nurse, who also gets yelled at by the parents. Juliet's mother is very angry because Juliet is not being submissive or obedient in accepting her marriage. The parents are behaving as adolescent as Juliet in their rash decisions and overreacting. The nurse suggests to Juliet that she should commit bigamy, which is illegal and considered a sin. Juliet cuts the nurse off from any further confidence. Juliet feels as if the nurse has betrayed her trust by even suggesting infidelity.

Act III, Scene IV finds Hero nervously preparing for her wedding, while Beatrice acts lovesick and melancholy. Hero makes a statement that her heart is "exceeding heavy", this is a foreboding statement of what is to come at

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Approximate Word count = 2015
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)