Diddy/Opening Song

Commercial Revised

Conflict

 

I believe one of the most prevalent conflicts within Romeo and Juliet is based around the conundrum of individuality. Within the play, the characters are specifically attempting to define themselves from their families, fighting against extreme conformity, manipulation and influence to establish themselves as unique adults. Juliet in particular struggles with this conflict, manifesting within both her actions and the subtle nuances of her behavior. For instance, in the balcony scene, between professing her love for Romeo she frequently indulges impulses to go inside of her house. This quiet detail shows her as an immature individual, too naive and innocent to be faced with the difficult and mature decisions she will soon be presented with. However, as the passion between her and her bold counterpart intensifies, deepening their connection through a cycle of dependence as an extension of social desperation, she slowly liberates herself from this urge, breaking through this proverbial wall and allowing herself to embrace womanhood. 

Obviously, I have never experienced anything quite so indicative of my emotional evolution as Juliet in the play. However, I believe that there is always evidence of a psychologically viable maturing and defining within all teenagers. Faced with a transitional period within our lives, we embark on a process of establishing ourselves as individuals beyond our families. We embrace new social groups, habits and more that aid or degrade this process, evolving into a pattern of mistake and triumph. This developmental period has been scientifically proven to be imperative for the social and emotional growth of the individual, allowing us to develop our maturity and nurture our wisdom through an arduous pattern of learning from repetitive mistakes. I think this conflict, essentially a tangible moment where one realizes that childhood has culminating into adulthood, and that furthering one's development involves separating oneself from one's family, is always an integral part of the human development, and as an extension, our continuing connection with this Shakespearean story of growing up.

Everywhere!

Shakespeare's work as a whole has been a substantial authority over all facets of the media, theatre and more. Romeo and Juliet in particular conveys the structural mastery and ingenuity of content to extend itself to all reaches of culture, silently influencing the way we percieve and express love. I grew up on Shakespeare comic strips, condensed, abbreviated replicas of these literary giants. Because of this, I was uniquely posed to find their interpretations within the world around me. Of course, what I found was largely affected by what I was exposed to, reducing my observations to a plethora of classics and Pixar films, dominated (of course) by the ultimate big "D". Its true, the way I saw the world was through the eyes of the Disney cartoonists, nurturing a comprehensive imagination and a rich love for all things fiction. Disney also hosts a unique reputation for borrowing from Shakespeare, perhaps most extensively so within the Lion King movies. While the first is a clear paralell of Macbeth, the second reflects Romeo and Juliet. Here's the link, I apologize in advance for the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEiE7GDDEB0

There are also Romeo and Juliet "esque" themes in Pocahontas, the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Ooh, Walle too. The whole "forbidden love" thing is ripe with use.