Romeo And Juliet And Pyramus And Thisbe Analysis

Throughout history, the idea of fate versus personal decisions being the driving force for the happenings of life has been a topic widely debated and discussed. Natural curiosity and a challenging disposition have many times before caused man to wonder whether the choices he makes determines his outcome, or an unseeable fate does, inevitable and impossible to predict. Alongside these questions lies the common and attention grabbing narrative of two star-crossed lovers, who face conflict so great it is their ultimate destiny is doomed, no matter what they do. Famously in literature, two authors, Shakespeare and Ovid, have used this tale of fate to entice audiences with their respective works Romeo and Juliet and “Pyramus and Thisbe”. Although

Both couples of these stories share a deep connection and love for each other, but are forbidden to be together because of their parents. Shakespeare very quickly introduces the problem in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet, narrating, “A pair of star-cross 'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents ' strife”(Shakespeare 1.0.6-8). Romeo and Juliet’s parents’ long held adversity is directly explained to be what leads to the series of tragic events and death of the two lovers since they hold no power to be together. Likewise, in “Pyramus and Thisbe”, Ovid writes about Pyramus and Thisbe that, “Their nearness Made them acquainted, and love grew, in time, So that they would have married, but their parents Forbade it”(4-7). For Pyramus and Thisbe, the ability to be together is also taken away from them by their parents. Ultimately, in both fatal tales, the fact that their parents hold all the power, and their love must be hidden because of it, is what causes and motivates everything that happens leading up to the couple’s