Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Kingkool]

Do you think this story of star cross'd lovers each born to families of ancient hate cpuld happen today? Would such violence ever be allowed anywhere? Does the fact that each family is rich make a difference?

On a side note, there is evidence that Mercutio could have been gay, and in love with Romeo. Do you think think this is true?

[Johannes Climacus]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Hell Yes.

[Kingkool]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Hell Yes.

Would you care to elaborate on these answers?

[Alias]

Yes. It happens all the time. The kids don't usually die, but they always suffer, and they are very often separated.

Yes. Violence happens all the time, everywhere. Private violence barely makes a ripple in the 10 o'clock news.

In a way. Had they been badly dressed, inarticulate or homely, nobody would have put them on stage. But the story could just as well - indeed, more likely - take place among the middle or working class. The conflict is most likely, today, to be over religion than a feud.

None of my business.

[LovelyLau]

Shakespeare is honestly a great playwright
But do you really think it is a great play that makes sense for most people in this day and age?
No one would commit suicide for love.
I mean there are many other solutions like run away together and break up for a while one person runs away then meet up again?
And the other part is seriously I think it is very true where families can be at war
But I do as well think the brothers are so stupid and reckless
And idk it is just stupid no one can get out of that town, it is because they are stuck in that town together with nothing else to do
And cannot get space or forget about their feud and move somewhere else?
I think it is better to ignore someone than take part in it but I guess if it in their face all day long, everyday.
I guess it was the limitations or limitations of thinking in that time if you are stuck in a place, you have no choice but to stay and you have to stick to your family like blood and glue and no way of disobeying them or cutting ties.
Because in this day and age if you have a toxic family member you have the choice to not have contact with them, you can defy your family and their wishes and marry who you like even if they do not like it, they can lump it.

[Lagayascienza]

Maybe with plays as old as Romeo and Juliette it is a bit harder for us these days to suspend disbelief than when we read modern fiction. But when Romeo and Juliet was written 450 years ago, women were mere chattels, property to be married off to enhance a family's status and wealth. Even so, for a woman of high status, family was everything because without family, a woman had no protection at all. So we can imagine how the lovers must have been torn between the demands of family and the demands of the heart. In some societies today women are still regarded as chattels to be married off advantageously and who are not permitted to leave the house except in the presence of an adult male family member. Maybe in such societies the play would still resonate. If people were allowed to read it.

I've seen the play performed and have read the it many times. I can still suspend disbelief and lose myself in it.