When their eyes meet and this happens...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuJuJPDwmxI&feature=related
This moment is probably going to be typed about a few times, so I'll try to ramble on for a bit and see if anything new has occurred!
R+J - Sets this in the house of Capulet, at their family ball. It is in masquerade, which makes their first 'eye-meet love fest' almost an innocent mistake. Their identities are unknown to each other, meaning their love is based nothing on what their facial beauty or possible identity is. It is among their family (So the Capulets believe - and the concealed intruders are also in high spirits at their successful intrusion.) so they are at ease, and it is pretty much supposed to be a classy night of Shakespearean family fun.
WSS - Sets there scene in a Gymnasium. Gym Dances = Always. Tense. There is no saving the young from the Gymnasium dance. There are tensions, raging hormones, and there are always two guys (or girls - which are terrifying) who are always on the edge of a fight. So, naturally for WSS, right form the get go, this is a battle. They do not conceal who they are, through their dance they are showing off their culture and trying to one-up the other side of the dance floor. When Tony and Maria lock eyes here, they are on opposite sides of the gym. I do think it's a lovely moment, and I'm a ttttoootttaaalll sucker for the 'I loved you at first sight' moment in musicals, however, my analytical mind, when put to the task, likes to think 'What did you see?' The beautiful person across the room who automatically is off-limits?
BOTH - Both scenes create the beautiful juxtaposition that I love about this moment. Having a boisterous, rollicking good time surrounding them, and a beautiful, intimate moment at the heart of it all.
Also - Fun fact - 'Specs' from Newsies is Baby Joh in this clip!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_lbeersIS4
I think big differences between these two scenes is that the two shows central themes are quite different. R+J's message is focused on the powers of young love, and how parents/elders can learn from those that are younger then you, while WSS is based solely on not judging someone based on their race. The absences of the masks, a presented face, is an example on something affected by the differentiating root theme.
Do I have a preference between shows/scenes? Not really. They are similar stories, with beloved characters and beautiful moments, but the story they are trying to tell, the message they are trying to communicate is different enough that I separate them into two different entities in my head.
-Paige F.
PS. THESE.
Web Site Story - YouTube/College Humour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPb8g8Jl6I
Ro-meme-o and Juliet
http://images.dailydawdle.com/Romeo-and-Juliet-Rage-Comic.jpg
Lovely, thanks for the summary Paige. So I love your ideas on the themes of each of the shows. I would go as far as to say that their themes are the same. I believe that the overriding theme could be that love conquers all and that you cannot put limitations or restrictions on love.
ReplyDeleteInteresting as always Paige! I agree with much of what you said, however, I think that the basis of the central theme for both shows remains intact. Ultimately, both shows are about two warring groups that, through the trials and tribulations of the young lovers, are forced to see the error of their ways. It is different in that the sides are two families in one show and rival gangs in the other, but I believe the message remains the same.
ReplyDeleteAlso, bonus points for the videos at the end.
Agreed with Makayla as far as the central theme goes. I think that the race/young love themes are merely vehicles for the message. All in all, an entertaining and informative post as usual!
ReplyDelete