As in Ovid’s tale “Pyramus and Thisbe,” in “Romeo and Juliet,” Shakespeare communicates the theme that familial hindrances upon a romance may induce the deaths of the lovers involved; however, these deaths may allow for the families to attain peace. Shakespeare further develops this theme, insinuating that such situations may prove avoidable, rather than maintaining an inextricable tie to human nature. Shakespeare initially mirrors the theme of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” as the families of Romeo and Juliet forbid the lovers’ relationship. For instance, Ovid’s tale evidences this when it states, “Because their love increased with time, they would have been joined beneath the wedding torches - except that their fathers forbid it.” One typically relates
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For instance, in “Pyramus and Thisbe,” Thisbe states, “And you, tree who now covers a single miserable corpse and soon will cover two, retain the memory of our deaths and always bear fruit dark with the colors of mourning.” Here, terms such as “miserable,” “mourning,” and “dark” convey a sense of grieving. Additionally, “always” maintains a meaning of eternal continuity. Thus, Thisbe communicates her desire for the perpetual mourning of the deaths of she and Pyramus. The text of "Pyramus and Thisbe" continues to state, “Mulberries always turn black as they ripen.” Here, as before, “always” relays ideas of indefinite continuity, and one typically associates “black” with connotations of mourning. This, in turn, allows Ovid to develop a hopeless tone in relation to the future, as he concentrates upon mourning the loss of Pyramus and Thisbe rather than upon repeating their mistakes. On the contrary, the prologue of “Romeo and Juliet” states, “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend” (Shakespeare 0.0.14). “Miss” relays a meaning of failure. One commonly relates the term “toil” with notions of hardwork and perseverance, and “strive” maintains an association with the prospect of progressing towards a goal. Thus, these terms describe a …show more content…
However, Ovid’s tone and word choice contradict this sentiment. His text evidences this when it states, “Mulberries always turn black as they ripen.” Here, as previously discussed, Ovid utilizes a defeated tone, and couples it with the repeated use of “always.” Additionally, Ovid utilizes terms such as “black,” which relay a negative connotation. This, in turn, conveys ideas of hopelessness to the reader, who then begins to focus upon mourning the loss of Pyramus and Thisbe rather than upon avoiding the repetition of the lovers’ mistakes. On the contrary, in “Romeo and Juliet,” when Shakespeare states, “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend” (Shakespeare 0.0.14), he develops a tone of hopefulness for the future, suggesting that humanity can attempt to work towards the prevention of the recurrence of the errors of Romeo and Juliet’s
For instance, in “Pyramus and Thisbe,” Thisbe states, “And you, tree who now covers a single miserable corpse and soon will cover two, retain the memory of our deaths and always bear fruit dark with the colors of mourning.” Here, terms such as “miserable,” “mourning,” and “dark” convey a sense of grieving. Additionally, “always” maintains a meaning of eternal continuity. Thus, Thisbe communicates her desire for the perpetual mourning of the deaths of she and Pyramus. The text of "Pyramus and Thisbe" continues to state, “Mulberries always turn black as they ripen.” Here, as before, “always” relays ideas of indefinite continuity, and one typically associates “black” with connotations of mourning. This, in turn, allows Ovid to develop a hopeless tone in relation to the future, as he concentrates upon mourning the loss of Pyramus and Thisbe rather than upon repeating their mistakes. On the contrary, the prologue of “Romeo and Juliet” states, “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend” (Shakespeare 0.0.14). “Miss” relays a meaning of failure. One commonly relates the term “toil” with notions of hardwork and perseverance, and “strive” maintains an association with the prospect of progressing towards a goal. Thus, these terms describe a …show more content…
However, Ovid’s tone and word choice contradict this sentiment. His text evidences this when it states, “Mulberries always turn black as they ripen.” Here, as previously discussed, Ovid utilizes a defeated tone, and couples it with the repeated use of “always.” Additionally, Ovid utilizes terms such as “black,” which relay a negative connotation. This, in turn, conveys ideas of hopelessness to the reader, who then begins to focus upon mourning the loss of Pyramus and Thisbe rather than upon avoiding the repetition of the lovers’ mistakes. On the contrary, in “Romeo and Juliet,” when Shakespeare states, “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend” (Shakespeare 0.0.14), he develops a tone of hopefulness for the future, suggesting that humanity can attempt to work towards the prevention of the recurrence of the errors of Romeo and Juliet’s