Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
A different
version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEVa4_CsRStSBBDo4uJWT8BSWtTTn0N1E
and
http://realini.blogspot.ro/
It feels
strange to write about one of the most impressive, outstanding works of man.
William Shakespeare
was such a genius that it is awkward to say anything about the writer who is
the probably the best…
In my view,
along with Marcel Proust.
I remember that
the national television used to broadcast the Shakespeare plays when I was a
teenager.
There wasn’t
much that I could really understand.
But the
majesty, bravery, valor, dignity, nobility, grand standing, exquisite
appearance, forcefulness, eloquence awed me.
After watching
these plays I started walking with a straight back and more determination.
The nobles
and heroes of those wonderful works made me want to be more like them, if only
in appearance…to start with.
Romeo and
Juliet is the ultimate love story.
There is no
better narrative.
The only caveat that I have regards the age of
the protagonists.
They are
too young to know any better and may be acting upon impulses and could be
driven by hormones.
But this is
just being the wrong type of reader, man:
-
Be a merit finder and not a fault
finder!
This is the
important message of positive psychology and those who find merit are happier,
live longer and enjoy all the benefits.
Including Shakespeare.
Instead of
finding fault with the tender age, one would better consider that there are
differences, first of all due to the époque of the play and of the story.
Then there
is an earlier development for those who live in southern regions than for those
in the northern, colder climates.
-
“Do not swear by the moon, for she
changes constantly. Then your love would also change.”
Apart from
the subject, which is simple and yet so dramatic, there is the unequalled
talent that Shakespeare had for beautiful poems, extraordinary lines and
exceptional dialogue that is evident in Romeo and Juliet.
-
“If I profane with my unworthiest
hand
This holy shrine, the
gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing
pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough
touch with a tender kiss.”
I have read
recently a book by one of the two greatest minds that we have here- Gabriel
Liiceanu, a luminary and philosopher.
He considers
the above passage to be the most beautiful and he explains why he is so awed by
Shakespeare and this work in particular.
-
“Love is a smoke raised with the
fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire
sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being vexed, a sea
nourished with loving tears.
What is it else? A
madness most discreet,
A choking gall, and a
preserving sweet…”
This is a divine, sublime work
“Here’s what love is: a smoke made out of
lovers' sighs. When the smoke clears, love is a fire burning in your lover’s
eyes. If you frustrate love, you get an ocean made out of lovers' tears. What
else is love? It’s a wise form of madness. It’s a sweet lozenge that you choke
on.”
It can be
read or downloaded legally and more material about this and other Shakespeare
plays or works could be accessed here:
-
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