In Romeo and Juliet what does society mean?

Answer 1

Shakespeare only uses the word once in the play, in this speech by Paris:

Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death,

And therefore have I little talk'd of love;

For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.

Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous

That she doth give her sorrow so much sway,

And in his wisdom hastes our marriage,

To stop the inundation of her tears;

Which, too much minded by herself alone,

May be put from her by society:

Now do you know the reason of this haste.

"Society" here means "the company of other people". Paris means that Capulet thinks that Juliet is sad because Tybalt is dead, and she has been sitting alone brooding about it. This too much being by herself, alone, can be fixed by society, by the company of other people.

Answer 2

It's used only once, in Act 4 Scene 1:

Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death,

And therefore have I little talk'd of love;

For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.

Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous

That she doth give her sorrow so much sway,

And in his wisdom hastes our marriage,

To stop the inundation of her tears;

Which, too much minded by herself alone,

May be put from her by society:

Now do you know the reason of this haste.

Here "society" means "company", the company of other people.

Answer 3

In "Romeo and Juliet," society refers to the larger community of Verona that influences the actions and decisions of the main characters. It encompasses the societal norms, values, expectations, and constraints that shape the relationships and outcomes of the characters in the play. Society plays a significant role in shaping the events of the story, particularly in terms of the feud between the Capulet and Montague families.