The End of Romeo & Juliet

    So to the discussion.
    Today, when I finished up this tale, I was running on very low amounts of sleep. Therefore, I was A) More emotional and moved about the deaths than I would normally be and B) Stuck in a frame of mind where I compared every scene to another one in a movie. For example, in act 5, scenes 1 and 2, I kept thinking of the scene in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers where Arwen's dad tries to convince her to forget Aragorn and head to Valinor, the Undying Lands. Then, at the end, I kept thinking of the end of Les Miserables, specifically, the song "One Day More!" Which is actually very fitting for the final scene...
    Also, Juliet was pretty okay in the end. Clever, ya' know? She sucks up to her dad, and then pulls a fast one behind his back. I can't believe he'd be that stupid to question her sudden change of character. He probably thought that since he was the man and she was his stupid daughter, he had nothing more to worry about concerning her. And the scene with Paris and Juliet meeting at church made me think of Norrington and Elizabeth from Pirates of the Caribbean. He reminded me of her dad. It was so creepy. And I think her dad even said something like that to Juliet once she decided to be a good, obedient daughter again. Something about how he'd be her master/keeper until she married Paris, and then he'd "own her" or whatever. I'd hate to live back then.
    Also, I'm happy the families made up at the end. They could have ended it with a huge battle over whose fault it was, but they choose to simply put it all behind them and start over as loving friends/ in-laws.
    And I bet Lady Montague and Lady Capulet became fast friends. :)

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 (And a side note of "I Am Number Four!"

   Well, things in this story are starting to wind down fast.
    First, I'd like to state the maturity levels of our tragic young lovers are changing. Well, not Romeo's as much... He kinda acts on impulse, and it really gets him in trouble. Juliet, though, is starting to grow up fast. I think she's starting to take a bit more charge of her life now, she's realising she can't rely on her nurse forever, her mom only sees her as a pawn, and that her dad's a moron. Therefore, I'm getting a bit excited for the end of the book, to see how much she grows up before croaking.
    However, I also must say this: Yeah, Romeo's her husband, but Tybalt's her cousin. And I do feel like although the Capulets aren't much of a loving family, that Tybalt was kinda a big brother figure to Juliet, like her protector. And Romeo killed him. However, Juliet really doesn't care much about Tybalt, at least not that much. She's just like, "AHHHHHH!!!!!! ROMEO'S BANISHED!!!!!!!! I'M GONNA DIE!!!!!" Silly girl, he freaking killed your cousin. And maybe I'm strange, but I know for a fact that if someone killed one of my family members, even one I didn't particularly care for, I'd hate them, and possibly try and kill them as well. Preferably with dry ice. I like that scheme. It's so original... :)
    Plus, she's known Tybalt her whole life. She's known Romeo for MAYBE 72 hours.
    Also, I hate Juliet's dad. I know that he's trying to do what's best for his family, but there is no excuse for yelling at her. It's abuse. And her mom doesn't even do anything about it.
    And now for I Am Number Four! I'd just like to state that this movie/book made me really happy. Why? Because the female love figure for John Smith/Number Four was a sensible girl with a level head. First character in love that's acted like that in years, I swear. For example, during the climatic fight, she didn't run onto the battle scene and demand that the villian not touch her boyfriend. She was smart, and let 4 and 6 handle the situation, while she and the one other kid fought the bad guys inside the school. She also broke up with her boyfriend who treated her like crap, and when he turned her friends against her in revenge, she decided she didn't need them and left, refusing to put up with their nastiness. Plus, at the end, Numbers 4, 6, and the one kid left to find the other numbers. She didn't have a teary good-bye, nor did she demand to leave with them. She stayed behind to finish high school and go to college, and get an education. Because, of course, Prince Charming doesn't always survive, and won't always look out for you. So I admire her for that.

Romeo & Juliet, Act 2

   I think this part of the story was okay, it was good, but I felt it was a bit too mushy. Plus, once again, I wanted to slap both of our young heroes, particularly Romeo. I felt a bit like I was walking down the hallway at  school and watching two classmates who have been a couple for two weeks profess their love for each other... Really? I think what Romeo and Juliet feel is a bit more like an infatuation with each other. As a matter of fact, according to a self-help website I found: Signs of infatuation are feelings of panic, uncertainty, overpowering lust, feverish excitement, and impatience. When infatuated, we are thrilled, but not happy, wanting to trust, yet suspicious. There are lingering, nagging doubts about our “partner in infatuation” and their love for us. We’re miserable when they’re away, almost like we’re not complete unless we’re with them. It’s a rush and it’s intense. It’s difficult to concentrate. When infatuated we experience a surge of dopamine that rushes through the brain causing us to feel good. Norepinephrine flows through the brain stimulating production of adrenaline (pounding heart). Phenylethalimine (found in chocolate) creates a feeling of bliss. Irrational romantic sentiments may be caused by oxytocin, singling feelings of emotional attachment. Together these chemicals sometimes override the brain activity that governs logic. 
   Sound a bit like our young lovers? Yeah, that's what I thought too.
   Also, as I mentioned earlier, I wanted to slap Romeo, particularly for this reason:
              ROMEO: Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
              That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-
   Earlier in the story, Romeo compares Rosalind to the moon, and falls out of love with her the minute he sees Juliet. Luckily, Juliet is smart enough to doubt this.
              JULIET: O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
             That monthly changes in her circled orb,
             Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
   And even though it is just a story, I really do kinda hate Romeo for saying that... He does mature by the end of the story, I know, but still, it bugs me.

Romeo & Juliet Act 1

   Romeo and Juliet is, I've decided, a perfect product of it's time. Shakespeare did a good job with a lot of stuff, like Benvolio (whose name means "Goodwill," is like the unofficial diplomat person who tries to calm people down) and Juliet saying her grave shall be her wedding bed (woah, she's accurate!) but I just cannot stop thinking about how much I wish I could jump into the story and slap both lovebirds over the head. Not to mention Juliet's parents (um, hello... Paris is probably about THIRTY, you idiots. She's not even fourteen).
   Anyway, I think the story's good and all, but both main characters are a bit problematic. For example, Romeo is practically stalking Rosalind, who doesn't "love" him back (However, I think she should feel flattered to have a stalker. It means you're interesting). Juliet, though, is what really bugs me. She's is all submissive and all "Hey dad, sure, I'll marry Paris! He's thirty, rich, and hot!" Although I can see her point of view (her dad could kick her out and send her to an abbey in a second if she refuses) I still hate how she just goes along with it. She can think for herself. And she does. She goes to the party, and meets dashing young Romeo, who immediately forgets all about Rose... Rosie... oh, yeah! Rosalind, and "falls in love" with Juliet, and she with him.
   Now, Romeo's probably around eighteen, and she's thirteen, and girls mature faster than boys, yet Romeo still has a ton of growing up to do, as shown by his changing feelings... Oh dear. I'm afraid this shall be an equation with a rather bloody answer...
   Also, I find it funny how Montague and Capulet are both ready to fight, yet the wives hold them back, saying it's a stupid idea. I kinda wonder how it would be if they were friends? I think they'd have a lot in common.