Brennan Butler Frost English Honors 9-3 8 March 2023 Four Star-Crossed Lovers The famous play, Romeo and Juliet, written by Shakespeare, was likely inspired by the myth of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” from Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. While these two stories share some similarities and a basic plot, many differences can still be seen within both tales. One difference between these tales is the misunderstanding itself that leads the lovers to their demise. In Romeo and Juliet, With the help of The Friar, Juliet deceives all, even Romeo. Balthazar- “Her body sleeps in Capels monument and her immortal part with angels lives. I saw her laid low in the kindreds vault.” (Shakespeare 5.1.18-20). Juliet is put into a deep sleep which makes Romeo believe she is dead. In the myth of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” things are a bit more savage. “Before him lay the blood-stained shreds of the cloak… The conclusion was inevitable.” (Edith Hamilton Paragraph 5). Pyramus finds a bloodied, tattered, scarf belonging to Thisbe, and assumes she is dead. Differences can not only be found in the ending but in the lovers’ upbringing as well. …show more content…
The lovers in Romeo and Juliet had a surprisingly short three days of love before they died. Romeo- “What lady (Juliet) is that which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?” (Shakespeare 1.5.42-44) Romeo had met only just met Juliet at a party that he only had gone to get over another girl. In “Pyramus and Thisbe,” the lovers had a very different history. “Growing up thus (Pyramus and Thisbe) side by side.” (Edith Hamilton Paragraph 1) Pyramus and Thisbe had known each other all their lives, giving a much more believable love story. As mentioned, similarities are also shared throughout the two