A Timeless Shakespeare

Shakespeare, one of the most well-known names to any teenager in any High School English class; however not a name at which the average student will rejoice. Why, some may ask? Given the rate of difficulty of speech, as well as over powering flowery language, most loose interest at a surprisingly increasing rate. However Shakespeare is not a name at which we should run in the opposite direction. Students should instead openly embrace the knowledge and beauty as well as concepts and ideas still pondered and valued today, first brought to light through the plays of the brilliant William Shakespeare.


Racism, envy, prejudice, unfounded hatred, emotional takeover, logic and reason, are only some of the universal issues on which Shakespeare basis his literary works upon. His writing is exquisite in the way of which he has carefully handpicked the wording to express exactly what he is trying to convey ; opposite that he also had a way of carefully handpicking his wording in such a way to keep his meaning open to each readers own opinion. However since most Shakespeare readers are made up of high school students not at all interested in the knowledge, and beauty presented throughout his works, book companies have tried a new approach. Shakespeare the Graphic Novel Collection. This collection presents the reader with a visual, as well a more modern twist on the language; easier to understand language, as well as a play by play visual, presents students with an easier more 'user friendly' way in which to read and understand Shakespeare.


Therefore by making works such as, Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet 'user friendly', we take away the beauty of interpretation, imagination, and the magic of Shakespeare's literature. His works were intended to be read in the original form; if the original version cannot be appreciated for its devices, creation, word usage, imagery, intent, thoughts/ideas, and many other qualities which make Shakespeare a literary genius, than what gives us the right to explore it in any means which he did not intentionally create?

She wants to wear this? (Lady Capulet)

She comes to me, and asks me, no tells me that she wants to wear THIS dress instead of the beautiful gown I have had custom made for her! This dress is widely inappropriate, it has no sleeves, no back, is she trying to ruin my good name? We are a wealthy family, what is she trying to do to us, is this some sort of punishment for making her marry Paris? What is so wrong with Paris, he is of noble family and is extraordinarily wealthy she'll have everything she's ever wanted or needed, so why on earth doesn't she want to marry him? And now because she doesn't want to marry him she's decided to try and ruin me as much as possible, does she really think I'll let her wear this? of course not we are wealthy and she will wear something expensive and gorgeous not something that will make her look like she belongs on the street!
(http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/1950s-cahill-beverly-hills-designer-wedding-gown-p-1317.html?zenId=rhnqqkb0ee0830v8bdgjurb092)

What Can I do?(Juliets Nurse)

(http://www.westonjewelry.com/womens-jewelry?erafilter=51&price_range=99&compositionfilter=)
That girl, that stupid beautiful girl, what is she trying to do? I found this ring on a chain beneath her pillow. No doubt from Romeo, as "did my heart love 'til now?" is engraved on the inside. Foolish children, falling in love in a glance and risking everything for each other. Could she not just love from affair and marry Paris? keep her parents happy, stay alive? Of course not, that girl is doomed in love, always listening to what her heart tells her, instead of what her head is shouting. Now I am torn, for I love her dearly and want her to be happy, for she is like my own daughter. However I am employed by her mother, who would strongly object to this love affair and have my head if she were to learn I disobeyed her and allowed Juliet this marriage. But the girl is happy, its what she wants, and I'd rather her mother have my head than hers, what girl doesn't deserve a little happiness and love in her life time, even if she is cutting it close.

The Dress (juliet)

(http://thefrock.com/bridal_page8_main.html)

Does she really expect me to wear this? I suppose she does, just like she expects me to marry Paris because it will make her and daddy happy. What about my happiness? Do I not get to be happy? They know that i oppose this marriage, but i dont have a choice, im just a girl what can i possibly do about it? While i guess they're about to have a rude awakening, because i will NOT marry Paris, i can't. I am already wedded to Romeo, in a wedding that i couldn't even plan, not unlike this one. However the difference is that i chose Romeo, i LOVE him, and there is nothing that anyone can do to keep us apart!
By the way i plan to burn this dress, its so ugly!

The Invitations.. (Juliet)

(http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/shop-invitations-by-style.htm?gclid=CNKG0o34rqACFQk65QodeC46aw)

Act IV Discussion Director

Being the Discussion Director for this Act, I realized that the example questions for this role are slightly ridiculous.(no offence Mrs.Hayden)
While reading this Act I wasn't thinking into what would happen next, or who it reminded me of, what other people might think happen next, or even what the most important thing is. I was only focusing on what was happening, Juliet and Paris meeting and the Friar Laurence's cell, the Friar and Juliet's conversation, Juliet's desperation not to marry Paris, Capulet's excitement at the expense of Juliet's happiness. It seems as though the entire story is unraveling through out just this one act. However it did make me think of how some parents know so little of their children that they force them into things that make them horribly depressed, or they do not notice important things in their children's lives. Juliet's parents do not notice her displeasure towards marrying Paris so soon, or her despair and longing for Romeo. In modern day I have known many cases where Parents don't notice eating disorders or suicide attempts amongst their children. However other than those small similarities I dontrelate this play to modern day whilst reading it, I simply enjoy the beauty of the language and the story of another time.

What is he thinking? (Benvolio about Romeo)

I found this drawing in Romeo's desk, how can he be so inlove with her after only one day? one moment he is sulking over Rosaline and the next head over heels, drawing pictures of her balcony in love with Juliet the next? Somethings i'll never understand! And now he tells me he wants to marry her, Juliet the CAPULET, he wants to marry her! Is he crazy or just trying to get himself killed? "Benvoli be at my wedding?" he asks...how can i say yes? They are basically signing their own death certificates. I want to support him, i mean once he's decided something in his mind there is no stopping him, but i cant watch him throw his life away for a girl he's just decided he loves. Not just any girl but Juliet the capulet Juliet, he can't really love her can he? not after just two days...but he did make this drawing.
(photo found at : http://www.riverwindgallery.com/HUSTACE/Italy_-_Verona_Juliet%27s_Balcony_(Acrylic_12x16)(2007).jpg)

Act III - Comic Commentator

As the Comic Commentator for Act III, it must be said that i dislike the idea of Shakespeare as a graphic novel. The graphic novel leaves nothing to the imagination, and no time to apreciate the true originality and now forced to embrace the characters on paper instead of allowing your mind to create the characters, the setting, and the scenes for yourself.

Act II Connector

Act II Connections Between Romeo and Juliet with....

A Play(West Side Story)....

Romeo and Juliet
~ Juliet confesses she dreads her
arranged marriage to Paris
~ Juliet questions the importance of
family rivalries and expresses her
love for Romeo (wherefore art thou
Romeo?..2.2.35-51)
~ The balcony is the place where they
can express their feelings
~ Both express fear and frustration
about the family and social restrictions
~ Nurse is fearful that Juliet will not
marry Paris and become involved with man
of wrong family
- forbiden love affair
- society keeps them appart

West Side Story
~ Maria admits she dreads her arranged
marriage to Chino
~ Tony expresses love for Maria through
song about her (“Maria”)
~ Fire escape of Maria’s apartment is where
they can express their feelings
~ Both express fear and frustration
of racial and ethnic tensions
~ Anita is aware and fearful that Maria is
involved with a boy from the ‘wrong side’
- forbiden love affair
- society tries to keep them apart

What makes us enemies? (really rough)

Standing here on my belcony my mind does wonder so,
O Romeo, Romeo wherefor art thou Romeo?
Shall we never meet again? am I to marry Paris and forever long to be in your arms? Shall we forever long to see eachother? doomed to never be happy with another?
why must we be apart?
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face.Therefore who says thou art thy'n enemy? Love shalt not judge, nor shall I, thy parents i cannot account for. O, be some other name
Belonging to a man.What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. What ties thee to our names? Refuse thy names be but only thyselves. Romeo, doff thy name;
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself. For no longer shall i be Juliet, Capulet, nor he Romeo, Montegue. Only Romeo and Juliet, love shalt not judge.
therefor no longer shall we be enimeis, thou art be free to be whom ever we choose.
No capulets, nor montegues, only Romeo, only Juliet, friends, alies, lovers

Romeo....

I cannot explain in anyother way, the feelings in which i shared for you.You shared them with me as well, however that all changed in an instant.Somehow you turned your love for me off, without ever letting me tell you how i felt.I hope your sure of her feelings, as i can assure you from experiance they wont last, and so:

I loved you once, nor can this heart be quiet;
For it would seem that love still lingers there;
But do not you be further troubled by it;
I would in no wise hurt you, oh, my dear.

I loved you without hope, a mute offender;
What jealous pangs, what shy despairs I knew!
A love as deep as this, as true, as tender,
God grant another may yet offer you.(Alexander Pushkin, http://www.poetry.com/greatest-poem/14103715/)

Rosaline

Act I - Summarizer

This is the intial "meeting" act for Romeo and Juliet.
through out the first III scenes; the beginings of a fight breaks out in the town square between the Capulets and the Montegues, and Lord and Lady Montegue are worried about they're son Romeo, as he has been fairly glum lately. Benvolio, Romeo's best friend, discovers that Romeo's fowl mood is due to the fact that he is in love with Rosaline(a capulet) and she does not return his interest. Benvolio manages to convince Romeo to attend a Capulet Ball that is taking place that night, where he first sets eyes upon Juliet.
The last II scences of the first Act, are the turning point for Romeo. He is now filled with happiness and love instead of sadness and despair. He instantly falls in love with Juliet, and longs to gain her love and trust. They dance and carry on, until it is time to leave. We are left with them pondering their feelings and the longing to see eachother again.

Dear Juliet

If i had a choice i would not have been at you're Father's party, Benvolio convinced me it would be a good idea if i went. I think he might have known something i didn't.
I wanted you to know that what i feel for you is real, it's new, scary and extremely dangerous for us to venture down this path together, but i can only follow my feelings. I wanted a way for you to understand what happened inside my head that wonderful night, from the moment i saw you, dancing with you, kissing you and everything that follows,so i made this song for you, from a list songs you like that Benvolio managed to convince a friend to get for him. i hope you like it....

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
How long, can I go on like this,
Wishing to kiss you,
Before I rightly explode?
This double life I lead isn't healthy for me
In fact it makes me nervous
If I get caught I could be risking it all
Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you
And so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moving
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided you're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind
Is this forever?
If I should be so bold
I'd ask you to hold my heart in your hand
I'd tell you from the start how I've longed to be your man
But I never said a word
I guess I'm gonna miss my chance again
All I really wanna do is love you
A kind much closer than friends use
But I still can't say it after all we've been through
And all I really want from you is to feel me
As the feeling inside keeps building
And I will find a way to you if it kills me
If it kills me
If it kills me
I think it might kill me