In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, young lovers rebel against parental authority and struggle with the wide range of emotions that come with young love and emerging independence. Many modern songs echo these perpetual themes.
“In Rude”, by Magic, the pop reggae fusion song’s lyrics show how traditions that date back to Shakespeare, can still be seen today. Even today, some traditional parents consider it their duty to make decisions for their children and some children continue to rebel against this form of strict parental authority. For example, it is still often expected that a suitor asks his intended’s parents (father) for her hand in marriage. The lyrics, “Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life? Say yes, say yes 'cause I need to know” represent the need for parental blessing for marriage in today’s society, much like in Shakespeare’s time. When Paris goes to see Capulet and asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage, he states“But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?” (1.2.6). This shows that Paris, per tradition, must ask Juliet’s father for her hand in marriage. Capulet has
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The song is alternative indie, and therefore differs in genre than I “Really Like You” and “Rude”. Like the song name, the lyric says “I hate you I love you, I hate that I love you” which states that the author, however mad at their lover, demonstrates conflicted love. In a similar way, Juliet cries “Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!” (3.2.76-77). Juliet feels conflicted and confused when she finds out that Romeo killed her cousin. This reflects in the quote and a similar frustration is visible in the lyrics of “I Hate You I Love You”. Both Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the modern song, “I Hate You I Love You” deal with conflicted feelings and confusion in love that tend to be the hallmark of young