The Battle to Know the Unknowable

Romeo and Juliet

Us, as human beings and creatures of this universe, all must deal with fortunes hand. For me I find that I don’t so much have an issue with where consequence has lead me, but more with the task of trying to understand and finding a way to cope with not knowing. Fate is but a theory. Perhaps we are all just part of a story that another has had the pleasure or punishment to write. Maybe all of our actions are set in universal ink stained on theoretical paper. Or we may be puppets, being controlled by a greater power but in fact ever changing. But perhaps the most fearful prospect of all is the idea of free will. The thought that we are in control and every action, every choice will change the course of time forever. Every one of these fascinations comes with a set of anxiety but for me, the worst of all, is the unsolvable terror of ignorance.

is entirely based on conflict. The play gathers up all forms of conflict one could face. Shakespeare has scattered these battles throughout, but the overwhelming conflict that was always lingering in the background just waiting to take hold was that of Person vs. Fate. Starting in the prologue, “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” all the way through to the end when Romeo has had enough of these grave circumstances and declares that he will change the path of destiny, “Is it e’en so? Then I defy you stars!” (5.1.24) This conflict develops the whole message in the play. It creates the theme that fate is inevitable.

It's Everywhere!

Ok, so I have become hopelessly addicted to Drew Carey’s new show Improvaganza. I was watching it, just tonight actually, and they were doing a sketch where two of them start a scene and at anytime a third person says “freeze” then shouts out to the audience for a specific type of literature, film, time period, etc. and the two actors have to continue the scene in that style. So, Ryan Styles and Chip Esten start this scene where they are supposed to be two hired cooks, when Drew Carey calls, “Freeze!” and shouts out to the audience for a type of literature. Someone in the drunken Vegas audience requests Shakespeare. Ryan and Chip proceed, being the amazing comedians they are, in a shockingly good, fluid, middle English, iambic-pentameter. The first words spoken are from Chip saying, “Do you swing your spoon at me, maam?” and Ryan, immediately picking it up follows, “I do swing my spoon, maam.” This tiff follows to the word then skips to Chip drinking some laundry detergent only to be followed by the grief-stricken Mr. Styles stabbing ‘her’self with a knife and ending the sketch.

I would’ve liked to include a video of this portion of the show, but I couldn’t find one. I assure you though, it was a fantastic representation of Romeo and Juliet and probably a bajillion times funnier than I could aver explain it to be.

Exactly the Same but Totally Different

I think that all teenagers can connect to some aspects of the characters of Romeo and Juliet. Probably some more than others. I know that can connect to Romeo at least through shared experience of liking someone who doesn’t like you back. Pretty much the story of a teenagers life, love triangles and what not. I can connect to Juliet in the way that at the age of 13 or 14 I have not given marriage or sex for that matter much thought. In stark contrast though, I do not have a mother pushing me to do either.

While I am reading at home I get the basic idea of what happened in the scene. I get the main idea of what each character has said and how the story has progressed. Reading in class helps SO much though. In class I am able to pick up the puns, word play and figurative language that Shakespeare so strategically planted. I’m also able to follow the humor which makes the play that much more enjoyable.