Similarities Between Romeo And Juliet And The Great Gatsby

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The characters throughout Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald fit the archetype of star-crossed lovers in many ways. In order for these characters to endure the obstacles that star-crossed lovers must pursue, the characters must be truly in love. Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby are truly infatuated with certain women, in which their societies do not allow them to be associated with. Both characters throughout these literary works do not allow society and family to corrupt their choices of whom they love and whom they want to be with.
F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays the love that Gatsby has for Daisy when Jay Gatsby says, “Well, there I was, way off my ambitions, getting …show more content…

Harold Goddard explains in an article that “Romeo, of the Montague’s, after a sentimental and unrequited languishing after one Rosaline, falls in love at first sight with Juliet, of the Capulet’s, and instantly the instilled enmity of generations is dissipated like mist by morning sunshine, and the love that embraces Juliet embraces everything that Juliet touches or that touches her” (Goddard par. 6). This portrays that Romeo immediately fell in love with Juliet and she became his everything. Romeo also explains that the more he loves her the more luxury he receives in life. This is explained when Romeo says, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep: the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite” (Shakespeare 165). Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are placed on total opposite sides of society, which allows their love to be even more sacrificial. Virginia Brackett explains this in her article while referencing two opposite planets when she says, “ While his reference to astronomy remains unclear, he may suggest that the two share a position within the same astrological plane, like two planets within the same zodiac sign, although positioned at opposite ends” (Brackett par. 4). Both Romeo Montague and Jay Gatsby desire a deep relationship with Juliet Capulet and Daisy