In both their staged deaths and true suicides, Romeo and Juliet take action in an effort to be together for always, for eternity. Did they succeed? For both: if one is gone, then the other cannot go on. Thus, Romeo and Juliet take their own lives to not be alone. To return to names, this mindset is also reflected in the couple's name - "Romeo and Juliet": without one, the other loses its meaning. "Romeo" is given definition by his love for Juliet. "Juliet" is also shaped by her love for Romeo. And thus, their names live on together -- as one. Romeo and Juliet are two characters in literature that cannot be separated and through his marvelous tragedy, Shakespeare does indeed succeed in uniting the two young lovers forever.
Written in 1595-1596, "Romeo and Juliet" is over 400 years old, but ask someone about the tragedy and chances are excellent that you'll get an accurate summary of what the story is all about. It has been adapted by other writers, depicted in artwork, and referenced in song, speeches, and everyday conversation. There's an old song by the Reflections called "Just Like Romeo and Juliet", and in it, the group sings of a guy who wants to get a job so that he and his sweetheart can begin a life together. He compares his troubles to that of Romeo and Juliet. One verse goes as follows:
Ah, all right, now I'm speculatin'
Wonder what tomorrow's gonna really bring
If I don't (if I don't) find work tomorrow
It's gonna be (gonna be) heartaches 'n' sorrow
Our love's gonna be destroyed like a tragedy
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Released in 1964, this classic oldie is striking in that a rock-pop song can be written about two Shakespearean characters and be absolutely relevant. When we hear the lyrics, we know what the group is singing about -- then and now. If someone says "Romeo and Juliet", what comes to mind? Most likely thoughts of love, tragic love, young lovers, tragedy, family, feuds, and death. It amazes me how the mere mention of their names can evoke this.
