sâmbătă, 20 mai 2017

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

A different version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:


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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