How Romance Is Celebrated In Literature Essay

, Research Paper

The course of time has opened many doors in terms of romance. The present age not only consists many different forms in which love can be expressed, but exhibits the essence of romance that dates back to the dawn of time. Love has existed in many forms throughout time. There is no better example than in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In this tale, when love is most apparent, the most crucial events occur to develop this “tragedy.” Firstly, the lustful romance of Mercutio and Benvolio, Romeo?s comrades have never been in true love, their ideas of love is based merely on physical attributes, whereas ?love is skin deep?.Mercutio, in contrast with Romeo knows not of true love, as “He jests at scars that never felt a wound.” (II.ii.1) His idea of love is when he tries to “conjure” Romeo to respond. His childish, immature attitude towards love is expressed when he describes Rosaline?s features:”Her high forehead” and “quivering thigh”(II.ii.18-19). This lustful idea of romance is only emphasised when he describes Rosaline as “An open-arse and thou a poperin pear!”Rosaline, Romeo?s initial unrequited love seemed irrelevant once Romeo had set his eyes upon Juliet. This may portray a side of Romeo, which shows that as easily as he falls ?in? love, he can fall ?out? of love. However, Romeo and Juliet?s love was pure and ideal, and because of their forbidden love, it leads them to their graves. Upon seeing Juliet all alone, talking in soliloquy, Romeo proclaims, “It is the east, and Juliet is the Sun,” this metaphor enhances Juliet?s beauty as it is exaggerated and pronounced as the beauty of the sun. The forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet is spawned from the feud between the two households; Capulet and Montague and throughout Juliet?s ?supposed? soliloquy, she ponders over the prospect of the two families? names: “What?s in a name?” (II.ii.43)Upon hearing this, Romeo, who reciprocates the romance, replies belligerently “Had I it written, I would tear the word.” (II.ii.57)Convinced that their love was pure, Juliet has been sold, in an unconventional act for a woman in those times, she takes the initiative and plans their future together;”If that thy bent of love be honourable,Thy purpose of marriage” (II.ii.143-144)Leading to the departure of Romeo and Juliet from the balcony scene, Shakespeare has made use of juxtaposition when Juliet sullenly states, “Parting is such sweet sorrow” (II.ii.184)Upon examining this passage, Romeo and Juliet must have fallen deeply in love for the ?woman? of the relationship to already be planning the wedding. Despite the fact that this was profoundly unconventional in the time, it shows how much society has evolved, as it has been known to happen in more modern times. Similar to Shakespeare?s ?Romeo and Juliet?, James Cameron?s blockbuster ? Titanic is a true romance story based upon the forbidden love shared between Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), which lead to the inevitable end of the ship, Titanic.Rose, who was brought up “the way all wealthy girls should be” falls in love with Jack who was a lowly 3rd class passenger, who won is ticket on a lucky hand of poker. However, the situation wasn?t that easy, there were certain obstacles in which the couple had to overcome. With Rose being a high-class, wealthy girly, she was expected to marry someone equally, and if not more wealthy. The complication was that Rose was already engaged to Cal Hockley ? a devious character, yet the heir to profound wealth, “Jack, I?m engaged, I?m marrying Cal, I love Cal”. Rose?s mother, Ruth also disapproved of Jack and Rose?s relationship as she reminds Rose each day that their “Situation is precarious, you know the money?s gone.” This masterpiece, imitates the same troubles in Romeo and Juliet that a family and society can give to a relationship. Stated early in the movie and repeated for effect, the quote of Jack, when Rose was close to committing suicide was “You jump, I jump” which begins the story where Rose and Jack fall in love. It also is the motto by which Rose returned with Jack when the Titanic was sinking to lead the audience to the prodigious anti-climax.Based on Robert Frost?s – ?The Road not Taken?, this humorous parody by Blanche Farley ? ?The Lover not Taken? is portrays the persona of a woman who chose her man on impulsive lust rather than true love. Similarly with Frost?s poem, the persona is presented with two choices to make. With the decision to make over two Although already “committed to one” ? Jack, the persona ponders over, and consequently chooses “the blond” based solely on physical sex appeal rather than the beauty that lies skin deep.Despite not even naming “This new guy” the female persona says that he “really turned her on”. The persona also based her selfish decision on what others would think;”And IStood faithfully byBut by then who would know the difference”Similarly in Romeo and Juliet, the persona in ?The lover not taken? resembles qualities of Mercutio, Benvolio and even Romeo. In that, Mercutio and Benvolio had no respect for their counter-gender and that their ideas of mutual attraction and love was based merely on the physical appearance of one another; the persona in the poem “liked his hair”. Like Romeo, who was previously in love with Rosaline, despite it not being reciprocated, as soon as he set his eyes upon Juliet, Rosaline appeared insignificant. This is what happened to Jack in ?The lover not taken?. In an aim to show how men and women alike think, Blanche Farley has successfully displayed a perfect example of human nature. The drive for lust and greed is shown.The love song by Enrique Iglesias – Be with you, is another example of love. It contains a neutral-persona (i.e. not revealed) that is sick with loneliness and misses their lover immensely, “I?m losing my mind”. The lyrics, in conjunction with the rhythm and melody create a sombre atmosphere; listeners can?t help but empathise with the persona. The persona is in love and obsessed with their love, “I can?t sleep and I?m up all night”, apparently the persona can?t live without their lover.All the persona wants in life is to be with the one that they love, “I just wanna be with you” which is repeated several times throughout the song for effect.The two lovers are separated and it appears that the love is pure, poetical and similar to Romeo and Juliet?s:”I know the touch of your hand Can save my soul.”Although exaggerated, the love is expressed all throughout the poem, and would be the way Romeo felt when he heard the news of his love, Juliet having killed herself. He couldn?t live without her and ultimately took his own life.The Trojan War story, which is based upon the events leading up to, and including the fall of the City of Troy. The love for the one woman ? Helen of Troy was so great that it spawned a war that lasted over 9 years. In the initial case, Helen?s love for her husband, Menelaus was ideal; it was reciprocated and only affected by the fact that the Gods had schemed against Helen. The false love of Helen for Paris, although she was directly breaking a sacred vow, she still had a great deal of affection for Paris. The love of Helen?s former suitors was also shown when they continued to keep the vow that they had initially made when they were competing for Helen?s love. The patriotic love of the nation ? men were willing to die for their nations in a war in attempt to restore their dignity. Although it was a relatively civil matter, it was escalated into a full-scaled war, thousands of soldiers fought and died for the glory of their nation.Greeks would do anything to win the person that they loved. Similarly in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo was willing to risk everything he had, just to be with Juliet. It can be said that in the earlier times, honour was a word, which meant a lot to the people, whereas it is now looked upon these days with less gratification.Coonardoo, by Katherine Susanna Prichard replicates the forbidden love, which is portrayed in Romeo and Juliet and Titanic. In that, Hugh?s love, which began from childhood, for Coonardoo, was the direct cause of Hugh?s wife, Mollie to leave and Wytaliba station falling apart. In the time set, it was frowned upon for an Aboriginal woman to be seen with a white-man. Those who defied that rule were often subject to gossip and ridicule. Aboriginals weren?t considered on the same level as the whites and everyone knew that; Mollie: “The Abos are filthy and treacherous” (page 117).When Hugh was confronted by Mollie, he lied to her face; Mollie: “You?d never be a gin?s man Hughie?” Hugh: “No.”This marked a turning point in the story, which ultimately led to the end of Hugh and Wytaliba. Although Hugh loved Mollie, he didn?t want to hurt her feelings. Hugh also loved Coonardoo, and his son, Winni, and singled them out. They were treated better, even though Aboriginals on Wytaliba were treated extremely well considering the situation.Despite the fact that the authenticity of the love expressed is questionable at times, it cannot be denied the fact that the modern times, as well as any other time is where romance is most recognizable, that it is the deepest form of expression of one?s feelings for another. Love will attach couples, families, and friends forever. It may also put people in precarious positions witch will lead them to hurt others. However, everyone is expected to take those chances in life much like the characters in Romeo and Juliet. The love for friends, “love” for enemies and love between lovers may have led to tragedy, but it was all for a greater good. The Capulet family and the Montague family have found the error in there ways and the stupidity in there fighting. It just took two teenagers to show them the light, much like teenagers can change adult’s ways of thinking today.