When Juliet realizes that “my [her] only love sprung from my [her] only hate” (Act 1, Scene 5, 137), she grieves over Romeo for having the name of the Montagues, saying “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (Act 2, Scene 2, 43-44). This quotation means that the name that a thing is designated is not what makes it good or bad, but what the thing is, because labels tell us nothing about the thing itself. In the context, even though Romeo’s name is that of Juliet’s loathed adversary, the sweetness and loveliness of Romeo are unchangeable and even if Romeo is called “Rodi” or “Dummy,” or something like that, he will be just as fascinating as he is now to Juliet. Another example is when people call mere ugly black gravel “the world’s most luxurious diamond.” One can’t make something good just by giving it a sumptuous name, because cheap thing is still cheap thing even if one labels it “luxurious” or “exclusive.” Nonetheless, despite our understanding that labels do not make things good or bad, the power of language and the words is undoubtedly incredible. In other words, the reality does not alter in response to how we talk about it, but people’s perception and concept of the world may. For example, imagine one calls sweet honey bee barf. Even though honey bee is eternally sweet even with the name of “barf,” many people would maybe find it less enticing and they will be less appetitive. This is because the images that the words “honey bee” and “barf” give people are extremely clashing; it is deeply rooted in people’s perceptions that “honey bee” is sweet and syrupy whereas “barf” is disgusting and repulsive. In brief, it is absolutely true that labels do not make the quality of things better or worse, but it is also true that the influence of the languages and images words inspire is remarkable.
Why might you want to know how a story ends at the beginning of the story? Why bother to read the play? What is the purpose of the prologue?
Often times, the readers crave to know how a story terminates at the very beginning of the story. In my opinion, their desires to realize the finale are so earnest because they want to prepare themselves from being staggered by any sudden and unexpected twist later on in the play. Occasionally, grasping the ending of the story can instigates the reading to be less thrilling and exhilarating, but still, the temptation for the ending is irresistible. For instance, the unfortunate ending of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is so well-known that practically everyone in the world who is educated knows what the ending is going to be like – that is, the tragedy of ill-fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Nevertheless, people’s knowing of the ending can never be an obstacle that hampers them from reading the entire play (from the very beginning to the ending). So, if people already know how the story ends, why do they bother to read the play and waste their time? That’s because they want to make themselves comprehensible of how the other events are built up to create such consequence. In other words, they want to know the processes that eventually lead to the ending.
The purpose of prologue is to present the setting of the story and to render a big picture that portrays the overall scheme of the story, and many of Shakespeare’s works have prologues. Romeo and Juliet is not an exception. In Romeo and Juliet, the play begins with the chorus entering to recite the prologue of a fourteen-line sonnet. Just by reading a couple of lines such as “the fearful passage of their death-mark’d love” (Prologue, 9), “from the forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers takes their life” (Prologue, 5-6), we can know that Shakespeare is lucid to leave the readers in no doubt that they are reading a tragedy where the protagonists are destined to face deaths. With the help of the prologue that foreshadows the destiny of Romeo and Juliet, the readers can have more plain comprehension of the overall plot of the story.
Romeo and Juliet only knew each other a short time-less than a day! Based upon their short time together, do you think that they could have had a long lasting relationship? Can you imagine yourself marrying someone after knowing him/her for only several hours? Considering the high rate of divorce today, what do you think are the causes of so many failed marriages? What are the qualities of an enduring relationship? What holds a marriage together?
When Romeo and Juliet first fall in love at their first sights with each other at the Capulet’s party, they kiss passionately, without having hardly any conversation first. What’s more, all the events including proposal of marriage, meeting with Friar Laurence for advice and marriage of this couple at the church take place within one single day. I think this is extremely illogical and absurd of them. Had I been in Juliet’s place, I would have never done such a foolish and imprudent thing – to marry someone who I just met. If I just get to know someone a few hours ago, there is really no way I can tell whether or not he is trustworthy and reliable person just by looking at his exterior appearance, especially when I am still a young teenager. When choosing my future marriage partner, the most important characteristics I want my future marriage partner to possess are his credibility and personality that match with my personality. Because Romeo and Juliet was so hastening and didn’t take enough time to deliberate profoundly about their marriage, I don’t think their relationship would have lasted long even if they didn’t die and continued living together in Mantua. Nowadays, rushing toward marriage without any serious consideration is still one of the major reasons that trigger the high rate of divorce all around the world. Another reason for so many failed marriages is that some couples get marry when they are too young. Since teenagers are not mentally mature and grown-up, their decisions about marriage is often not realistic and not rational at all. In order to guarantee a “secure,” and enduring marriage relationship, man and woman should be convinced to have firm faith in each other even before they marry. Trusting others is actually more difficult than people think it is, so it takes a fair amount of time, sometimes a number of months or years. In brief, because love as well as trust develop very slowly, we should have “more” time being together before the marriage. We should be more “thoughtful” so that our decisions don’t ruin our life.
What plans do you have for a future marriage? What is your idea of an ideal mate?
I personally consent with the old proverb that “choosing well is the foundation for a good marriage.” Even though choosing is nowadays one of the most neglected stages of the whole process of meeting, bonding, marrying and spending rest of life together, choosing well can positively benefit us to produce the pleasing outcome of our decisions and shape our future agreeably. In my opinion, in order to have very flourishing, long-term marriage relationship, three characteristics are indispensable and vital for a marriage partner. To being with, compatibility is the most important trait that I value, since spending rest of my life with someone is a huge commitment and without compatibility in hobbies, values and future plans, it would be a total disaster rather than a relaxing partnership. For example, since I love traveling foreign countries, marrying someone who likes traveling will make my life much happier. Additionally, responsibility is another huge significant factor for being a good marriage partner. I really do not want to live with someone who is immature and can’t look after himself. For instance, I will never marry someone who is not capable of earning his own living expenses and who depends on my financial ability at all times. When deciding to marry, we should always crave for long-lasting relationship, which demands not only love and affection but also responsibility and maturity. Lastly, a marriage partner should be flexible. Being a wife or a husband does not mean that we have to have the same opinion and to agree in every single affair. Relationship should be based on open mind where we are talk freely to each other and give honor to each other’s thoughts and ideas even if it contradicts to our own ideas. Just because we have different perspectives, it doesn’t indicate that we are not a “good” partner. To conclude, for my future husband, I wish to have someone who is compatible, responsible and mature and someone who is always open-minded and tolerant.
