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Monday, May 02, 2005
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Book Review #1
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Recently, I have been enlarging my library of classic literature. Assuming that, if I found some well-known and distinguished works of literature, I would enjoy them as much as the connoisseurs who recommend them, I fixed on probably the most celebrated author of all time, William Shakespeare. I chose what is probably his most famous play, Romeo & Juliet.
Believe it or not, I had never heard the storyline. I knew that Juliet dies, and that the families absolve their difference only after her death, but I was always under the impression that a fatal illness was the cause of death. (As I said, I hadn't ever read the play before.)
I must say that I was greatly disappointed. I expected tragedy, yes, but I expected also a romantic struggle between love and duty to one's family. I find nothing romantic in two people killing themselves. It did not accomplish anything except maybe to bring about a reconciliation of two men. But I think that, had Romeo not been so foolish as to commit suicide, his marriage to Juliet would have established the same end.
Perhaps I am too prejudiced. I am partial to happily-ever-afters. And perhaps I am also committing a cardinal offence by taking such a dim view of so widely acclaimed a work.
Please do not misinterpret my disappointment. I mean, not to condemn the play, or the author, but only to state that the definition of romance has certainly changed since the days of Mr. Shakespeare. |
posted by cori
5/02/2005 01:11:00 PM
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Les, Glad to know someone else had the same thought running through their head after reading "Romeo and Juliet" for the first time. I know I can be a bit dense, but how on earth is love, ending in dual suicide, so romantic? Looking forward to reading more book reviews.
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Les,
Here, here. Though the play was interesting enough (I read it twice)I have to say that the death of Romeo and Juliet was somewhat anti-climatic.
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Oscar Wilde once said "Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong."
However, Jane Austen believes that "where an opinion is general, it is usually correct." (Mansfield Park)
With my two most trusted authors taking such distinctly opposite views, shall I ever decide? Is the topic is world-changing enough for consideration?
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| Sounds like some kind of sports thing, but in reality, the ShugaBowl is just a little hideaway for me, Sugarcube herself, to let loose my thoughts and occasional creativeness. |
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Les, Glad to know someone else had the same thought running through their head after reading "Romeo and Juliet" for the first time. I know I can be a bit dense, but how on earth is love, ending in dual suicide, so romantic? Looking forward to reading more book reviews.