By Elizabeth Saroglou.
Romeo and Juliet,
Shakespeare’s psyche and a society that wasn’t ready for it
William Shakespeare once said, “The object of art is to give life a shape”. In fact, there seems to always have been some sort of parallelism between life and art. This phenomenon has been evolving over time and has always adapted to society’s norms and values. From the ancient civilizations that date back to Antiquity, to the pioneers of the movement for the emancipation of women, such as Simone de Beauvoir, that paved the way for other feminist figures of today. As far as Shakespeare is concerned, his main creations were created in the 16th century, in the beginning of the baroque era. This is important because during that time, theatre was widely based on the idea of illusions, as well as shocking intrigues that conceptualized the idea of society.
This may sound a bit like a cliché, but one cannot think of Shakespeare without thinking of one of his masterpieces, Romeo and Juliet. This popular play was so appealing to the people at the time, that many contemporary artists, such as director Franco Zeffirelli, reinterpreted it into a movie, that was released in 1968 and later won 2 Oscars, for best picture and best costumes. That proves that the plot is timeless, so much so that the intrigue will always remain fresh and exciting. The main themes of the play seem to come in pairs and often contrast themselves, to form an oxymoronic pattern that reflects the play itself. Ranging from love & hate, to friendship & enmity, as well as reputation and feud. The characters are very diverse, and the protagonists add a lively dynamic to the play. For instance, Romeo - who had already fallen in love once before Juliet – is a naïve and romantic young adult. His sex and early age allow him to be far more independent than his love, and to defend the people he loves when in need. Moreover, his choice of friends that have almost opposite characters (good willing Benvolio and aggressive Mercutio) indicate that he is the balancing factor in most of his relationships. On the other hand, Juliet a young teenager who has always lived in a bubble and indulged in the protective environment her peers offered her; that changes, however when she meets Romeo.
It is important to point out that the play was written in a time when people were exposed to one certain ideal of society: that the sun orbited around the Earth, that the Monarch was sent by God to maintain the social balance, but also that poverty and famine was a matter of bad luck. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that the feud between the families –both wealthy and influential- comes to an end after the deaths of their children. This play is so diverse and eloquent, that it leaves the reader or spectator as confused as it leaves him impressed. What image does this book give of love? Why does death lead to reconciliation in the very end? In reality, this book is an insight in Shakespeare’s own mind and his perception of life the way he sees it. He is the “puppeteer” that fiddles with the concepts of fate and love and brings them together “O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name”. This line said by Juliet explains this, as she points out how their families stand between their love and their freedom. Perhaps this translates Shakespeare’s own views on society, that limited him from fully expressing himself.
In conclusion, I hope you found this article as interesting as Juliet loves Romeo. What I wanted to achieve with this article was to offer new insight on the play, but also present a different perspective on this Shakespear classic. It was an enriching experience for me that hopefully helps someone else too.