Product: Romeo and Juliet [Region 2] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
The truth behind Romeo and Juliet
We all know to understand Shakespeare, we need to be able to first see a literal meaning of words and then look beyond the surface and see their true meaning. Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of higher forces(god(s)) teaching humans a lesson that they cannot simply learn themselves. Both the houses of Capulet and Montague had ancient grudges against eachother. Instead of settling their differences, they continued to fight and hate eachother. As Romeo said, "It has much to do with love, but more to do with hate." The houses enjoyed fighting. The only was to end this hatred was with love of Romeo and Juliet, which is odd to think about. Even though the star-crossed lovers lacked credibility(since after all Romeo went from being in love with Rosaline to instantly being in love with Juliet) their love grew to be so immense and too perfect for this world. Sacrificial items are usually immaculate and almost of another world. People that offer up sacrifices to thier gods believe that what their sacrificing is too precious for this world. So, I don't think the death of Romeo and Juliet is neccessary a trajedy. Things that are virtuous and too good for this earth have two paths: death or corruption. And the love Romeo and Juliet had had to die because it was too perfect for this cruel, vile world. Romeo and Juliet can of course be interpreted in many different ways, but it is best to think that it is an example of dichotomy. In the play, Friar Laurence speaks of evil things becoming good and virtue being corrupted. What Romeo and Juliet's love did was destroy the immature hatred that couldn't have been destroyed anyother way.