Wednesday, February 11, 2009

a real love story?

I used to read this book and find it so passionate and powerful. I now feel as it is corny and ridiculous as the emotions of both families shift with a snap of a finger. Mercutio and Tybalt are both well known and well-liked men in their families, however, their deaths seem not to carry out much sorrow. Capulet says, "Well, Wednesday is too soon. A thursday let it be, a Thursday , tell her, she shall be married to this noble earl" (Act IV. 4. 19-22). I find this ironic as his nephew has just been killed yet he will have his daughter be married in the same week. I suppose times were different, however, it seems somewhat like a mockery to me. And if you think about the Nurse--well Tybalt was her "best friend" yet she forgets her mourning in order to help Juliet. It is as though their emotions do not matter because the most important part is to tell this story in a short time frame- 3 days to be exact. 

It is weirder still that they expect Juliet to so graciously accept the offer of marrying Paris so quickly after the death of her close cousin. Also, she being so young and never showing any interest in Paris shows character of an earlier time period. Her father shuns her as she denies his request in marry paris saying, "Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch" (Act IV. 5. 160). I understand her father wanted her to marry Paris, but as their only daughter he expresses a lot of hatred because of one thing she does not obey.

To make me feel this way even more is after Juliet's "fake death." Yes, they seem upset however they immediately discuss changing the food and decorations from a wedding to a funeral. The change in emotions happen so quickly and so superficially that it makes this entire love story appear as a joke. It may be written in a poetic and beauteous form, but it lacks the true feelings and emotions that real people hold. 

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