In this response, I intend to compare themes, styles and social contexts of the plays; 'Andorra' by Max Frisch and 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare.
One of the most noticeable differences between the two plays is the format in which they are written. Frisch writes 'Andorra' in prose - continuous writing - told like a story would be. 'Romeo and Juliet,' on the other hand, is written in iambic pentameter. This is a form of verse which has ten beats to the line and five beats have stresses on them. For Example:
Romeo: See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek.
Juliet: Ay me.
Romeo: She Speaks
This doesn't only alter the way the dialogue is presented on the page but would, especially in Shakespearian times, alter the way in which the dialogue is spoken by the actor.
The plays also have different styles. 'Romeo and Juliet' is in a traditional style using acts and scenes. The play, for example, is headed with "Act 3, Scene 4." It also uses a prologue, a small speech at the beginning of the play to set up the story; "Two houses both alike in dignity; from ancient grudge break to new mutiny" But 'Andorra' uses forestages, which are placed at the beginning or end of scenes, and are flashbacks and memories of the townspeople who are explaining their behaviour towards Andri, after his death. The following, as an example, is from The Carpenter's forestage. "A Jewish kid our teacher saved from across the frontier, that's what everybody thought." 'Andorra' differs in style to 'Romeo and Juliet' as these forestages are used as a device to look back at the events, using episodes, and then telling the story afterwards.
One of the most noticeable differences between the two plays is the format in which they are written. Frisch writes 'Andorra' in prose - continuous writing - told like a story would be. 'Romeo and Juliet,' on the other hand, is written in iambic pentameter. This is a form of verse which has ten beats to the line and five beats have stresses on them. For Example:
Romeo: See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek.
Juliet: Ay me.
Romeo: She Speaks
This doesn't only alter the way the dialogue is presented on the page but would, especially in Shakespearian times, alter the way in which the dialogue is spoken by the actor.
The plays also have different styles. 'Romeo and Juliet' is in a traditional style using acts and scenes. The play, for example, is headed with "Act 3, Scene 4." It also uses a prologue, a small speech at the beginning of the play to set up the story; "Two houses both alike in dignity; from ancient grudge break to new mutiny" But 'Andorra' uses forestages, which are placed at the beginning or end of scenes, and are flashbacks and memories of the townspeople who are explaining their behaviour towards Andri, after his death. The following, as an example, is from The Carpenter's forestage. "A Jewish kid our teacher saved from across the frontier, that's what everybody thought." 'Andorra' differs in style to 'Romeo and Juliet' as these forestages are used as a device to look back at the events, using episodes, and then telling the story afterwards.
