Approaching Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

May 5, 2015
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INSIGHT

Spoiler Alert: The Chorus in Romeo and Juliet

  • Romeo and Juliet's prologue spoils the plot, a unique feature in Shakespeare.
  • This challenges modern expectations of suspense, raising questions about the play's effect.
INSIGHT

Early Modern vs. Modern Audiences

  • Early modern audiences enjoyed recognizing familiar stories and themes.
  • Reworking existing texts was valued more than originality, unlike modern preferences.
INSIGHT

Tragedy as Inevitability

  • Jean Anouilh's view of tragedy as inevitable and restful influences interpretations of Romeo and Juliet.
  • This fatalistic view removes human agency, creating a sense of predetermined doom.
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