Romeo
and Juliet , ‘The Most Lamentable Comedy, and Most Cruel
Death’
One of Shakespeare ’s most quoted well-known plays; it follows the
story of two star-crossed lovers, from the two warring houses of Capulet and
Montague. Written in 1597 at the height of Shakespeare’s popularity, Romeo and
Juliet explores the nature of love, violence and fate and signals Shakespeare’s
moving from comedies to tragedies. However, this tragic love story has many
comic elements leading to the suggestion that this play is actually a black comedy.
When they first meet, Romeo kisses Juliet to absolve his sin, but Juliet
concludes that his sin has now spread to her so they must kiss again so order
can be restored. This moment of teenage rebellion, adding excitement to a
boring evening becomes the epitome of love at first sight. However, their
stolen kisses and playful religious language implies flirting and lust rather
than courting and romance. The following balcony scene uses the language of
love and commitment but even Juliet is
not convinced. Juliet implores Romeo
not to promise on the inconstant moon because as the night fades, she fears the
longevity of their relationship. Despite her doubts, Juliet
invites Romeo onto her balcony. It is only the appearance of the nurse that
halt their antics.
In Arthur Brooke Shakespeare
shortens their romance to only a few short days, which makes their adolescent
love seem rash and impulsive. At only fourteen, Juliet
is barely out of puberty and she, like many young people, feels like she would
die for her first love. The difference with Juliet
is that she actually does. It is hard not to look at Romeo and Juliet as a critique on a society, which forces the
young into an adult world, which they are too emotionally immature to
comprehend.
The original
Italian versions written in the 1530s by Luigi
da Porta and in the 1550s by Matteo Bandello Shakespeare ’s
play such as; the meddling nurse, the missing letters and the complaint friar.
However, in the Italian tragedies the lovers share a scene in the tomb together,
which cements the tragedy in their story. Shakespeare
omits this scene, instead Romeo kills himself moments before the friar enter,
and Juliet awakes. This comic timing
makes the final scene frustrating and this distracts from the tragic focus of
the lovers deaths.
Maybe I
am just a cynic and cannot bring myself to believe in love at first sight that
they are willing to die for. Check out these really funny video's from the Reduced Shakespeare Company's version of Romeo and Juliet and tell me what you think...
Lots of
Love
Elouise
xxx
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