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Precisely why Shakespeare's work has stood the test of time! From then til now some people look only at the top layer so to speak, but the genius is below the surface of the romance or comedy. Gotta love "The Bard".
Totally agree - it is the best way to end the play because if the two really eloped they will fight the rest of their lives anyway.
I just hate so much when people say that Romeo and Juliet is a romance... No, it's really really not!
First and Foremost, you must keep in mind that this is a play. Shakespeare didn't have time to go through the whole 'courtship process' in the couple hours that the stage was his to use. Romeo and Juliet's love was supposed to represent a pure, 'love at first sight' (to clear one thing up: the time span of the play, is from Sunday morning to Thursday evening. During all of that time, the actions of both Romeo and Juliet are accounted for, leaving no room for immorality to occur). In the beginning, Romeo was simply immature in his infatuation with Rosaline, because he knew that she would never consider him. While his true/real love for Juliet displays a completely different side of his character.
Side note: To those of you who have actually read the play, you should know that Shakespeare told his audience outright that the lovers would take their lives at the end of the play.
ALSO, though I am not saying he was right to marry them behind their parents' backs, Friar Lawrence did have a purpose for agreeing to wed them. The theme of haste is displayed (AND cautioned against) by the Friar. Remember, he took time to talk with/mentor Romeo and cautioned him against being too hasty. He wanted to make sure that it wasn't just a 'lust thing.' He reminded Romeo that it was only yesterday when he had been infatuated with Rosaline, and was now claiming that he was truly in love with Juliet!? Also, remember the Montague and Capulet family feuding? The Friar was hoping that, through this marriage, all of that could finally be resolved. It's not as though everything that happened was made in a blind rush (although, obviously, there were decisions that were made far too hastily), there were plans and purposes, but they were continually foiled (because that how Shakespeare wanted it!).
One final note: At the beginning of the play, the suggestion is made by the chorus that Romeo and Juliet are "star-crossed lovers," which would indicate that everything that happened was simply fate working out its course; but the actions of his character, and their displays of free will reminds us that every choice we make has consequences, and this pair of lovers is no exception. Keep in mind the 3 main themes of this play: youth, choices, and responsibility, and hopefully that will help shed some light on this romantic tragedy by Shakespeare.
(P.S. ~ Whatever assumptions you may have could easily be either conferred or corrected by simply using a study guide while reading through this drama. Many people who have mainly negative feeling over this play have based them off of the "surface facts" that most of us knew long before we read it.)
*If you have any questions or comments, leave them and I'll be happy to reply*
But Romeo did not love Juliet. There are a few moments in Romeo's speeches (particularly the balcony scene) where Shakespeare made him make a few jokes, almost as if he was saying "do I like you at all?" Juliet herself saw reason, but as many young girls do, she was swept off her feet. I really can't imagine he honestly fell in love with him, I think Shakespeare was trying to condemn the whole idea of love at first sight or fated love because surely the suicide was not a part of fate. Romeo was horny, end of story, and he stole an innocent girl's virginity, and she willingly went along for the ride naively believing what this stranger said when he said he loved her.
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Melanie
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Feb 18, 2013 12:29PM
Precisely why Shakespeare's work has stood the test of time! From then til now some people look only at the top layer so to speak, but the genius is below the surface of the romance or comedy. Gotta love "The Bard".
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Totally agree - it is the best way to end the play because if the two really eloped they will fight the rest of their lives anyway.
I just hate so much when people say that Romeo and Juliet is a romance... No, it's really really not!
First and Foremost, you must keep in mind that this is a play. Shakespeare didn't have time to go through the whole 'courtship process' in the couple hours that the stage was his to use. Romeo and Juliet's love was supposed to represent a pure, 'love at first sight' (to clear one thing up: the time span of the play, is from Sunday morning to Thursday evening. During all of that time, the actions of both Romeo and Juliet are accounted for, leaving no room for immorality to occur). In the beginning, Romeo was simply immature in his infatuation with Rosaline, because he knew that she would never consider him. While his true/real love for Juliet displays a completely different side of his character. Side note: To those of you who have actually read the play, you should know that Shakespeare told his audience outright that the lovers would take their lives at the end of the play.
ALSO, though I am not saying he was right to marry them behind their parents' backs, Friar Lawrence did have a purpose for agreeing to wed them. The theme of haste is displayed (AND cautioned against) by the Friar. Remember, he took time to talk with/mentor Romeo and cautioned him against being too hasty. He wanted to make sure that it wasn't just a 'lust thing.' He reminded Romeo that it was only yesterday when he had been infatuated with Rosaline, and was now claiming that he was truly in love with Juliet!? Also, remember the Montague and Capulet family feuding? The Friar was hoping that, through this marriage, all of that could finally be resolved. It's not as though everything that happened was made in a blind rush (although, obviously, there were decisions that were made far too hastily), there were plans and purposes, but they were continually foiled (because that how Shakespeare wanted it!).
One final note: At the beginning of the play, the suggestion is made by the chorus that Romeo and Juliet are "star-crossed lovers," which would indicate that everything that happened was simply fate working out its course; but the actions of his character, and their displays of free will reminds us that every choice we make has consequences, and this pair of lovers is no exception. Keep in mind the 3 main themes of this play: youth, choices, and responsibility, and hopefully that will help shed some light on this romantic tragedy by Shakespeare.
(P.S. ~ Whatever assumptions you may have could easily be either conferred or corrected by simply using a study guide while reading through this drama. Many people who have mainly negative feeling over this play have based them off of the "surface facts" that most of us knew long before we read it.)
*If you have any questions or comments, leave them and I'll be happy to reply*
But Romeo did not love Juliet. There are a few moments in Romeo's speeches (particularly the balcony scene) where Shakespeare made him make a few jokes, almost as if he was saying "do I like you at all?" Juliet herself saw reason, but as many young girls do, she was swept off her feet. I really can't imagine he honestly fell in love with him, I think Shakespeare was trying to condemn the whole idea of love at first sight or fated love because surely the suicide was not a part of fate. Romeo was horny, end of story, and he stole an innocent girl's virginity, and she willingly went along for the ride naively believing what this stranger said when he said he loved her.
