In the movie Shakepeare in Love, the main focus was not on Romeo and Juliet but on Shakespeare and his lover. What is the purpose for the director to make this focus shift? Are there any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together?
The 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet is very faithful to the original play by Shakespeare, except that the background is set in our time. By so doing, the story is carried across the time barriers to approach the modern viewers: The viewers experience the old story in the terms of modern days.
In contrast, the 1999 movie adaptation attempts to bring the viewers back to the sixteenth century and observe the cultural/social context which yielded the story. In other words, the movie is an account of how the story of Romeo and Juliet was produced by simulating the cultural background of Shakespeare's time.
By staging Shakespeare's original story in modern days, the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet highlights (1) teenagers' perception of love vis-a-vis the sophisticated and corrupted world of the adults, (2) the different ways in which justice is carried out by clan/gangs and by society/country, and (3) the lack of communication and affections in child-parent relationship during teenagehood.
Different from the original Romeo and Juliet, which focuses itself on the issue of youthful love against hatred, the 1999 movie adaptation concerns adults' love vis-a-vis cultural/social barrriers.
Through the representiion of sixteenth-century London, the movie foregronds several cultural/social issues specific to Queen Elizabethis time.
The first one is gender issue: Women were banned from the stage and marriages are arranged by parents at that time.
The second one is class divisions, such as the rich vs the poor and the nobleman vs the commoner.
The third one is the exploration and exploitation of the New world, i.e., North America, by setting up plantations in the new colonies.
The fourth one concerns the struggling of playwright/artists from dependents on entertaining show business to independent artists in drama/theatre.
These cultural/social issues are foregrounded in the movie Shakespeare in Love. Finally comes the central question: Could Shakespeare and Viola go beyond the restraints of all these cultural/social barriers and then stay together? If not, how was their story going to end?
Discussion Topics:
(1)What is the purpose for the director to make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola? (2) Does the movie present any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together?
Discussion Topics:
(1)What is the purpose for the director to make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola? (2) Does the movie present any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together?
(1) I think the focus of this movie to is portray Shakespeare's love expereince in relation to his struggling to be a playwright. In the begining of the story, Shakespeare suffered a writer's block and he was in desprate need for a Muse. Then, Viola came and their love inspired Shakespeare, who then wrote like a genius and expressed the ture nature of love. He acquired recognition and his career was taking off.
ReplyDeleteTHe movie is also about the life, especially marriage choices, for a woman living in the sixteenth-century London. She was bound in many ways to cultural/social restrictions and was not able to break through these barriers. Of course, these restriction were socially constructed and it was too difficult for her to have a breakthrough just out of her own will.
(2) I think there were less chances for them to be together than Romeo and Juliet. The key point is on Shakespeare and Viola themselves.
Viola was Shakespeare's Muse for some time, but how long would his desire for her last--if she was still around? Viola's departure for the New World inspired Shakespeare for another play, and his love for her never ended in the world of art. I really don't know how Viola would be his Muse forever if she became his wife.
More importantly, Viola herself would not choose Shakespeare for a husband. (Consider that Shakespeare was already married!) She was conditioned by the class differences between a rich merchant's daughter and a poor actor/playwright. This is the true "Achilles' heel" for their love.
I think Shakespeare would not refuse to marry Viola (after he got a divorce with his wife): Viola's dowry would help him a lot. (Consider what Shakespeare had gained from his marriage: "She had a cottage!")
It was just an affair between Shakespeare and Viola, but this life expereince led to the birth of the geat story of Romeo and Juliet, which served as the compensation for the lost love.
The love between Shakespeare and Viola was far more soohisticated than that between Romeo and Juliet. This is why that younthful love--pure, naive, and innocent--is so rare and unforgetable.
Young and pure, Romeo and Juliet just concerned about their love; Shakespeare and Viola cared about career and marriage choices because they were caught in a sophisticated world.
96540324 Erin
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are chances for them to be together. At that time, the social class, fate,and marriage will be decided by parents. That's what we believe,and will not to be destroy. Compared with a poor playwright and a knight, Shakespeare with no fame,no money, and even has marring. If Shakespeare and Viola eventually get together, they will be blame by people of whole country.
(1) I think there may be two reasons for the author to shift the focus on the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola.
ReplyDelete1. To compare and highlight the contrast /differences of the free-love between ancient times and nowadays. People now are free to choose their own spouse. And parents usually respect their children’s decisions, playing the roles as consultants instead of rulers or opponents. They are willing to get close and even discuss /share opinions with their children, like my mom, a truly listener and consultant. But Viola, who totally has no choices, could only obey her parents’ commend. Even though she breaks the gender discrimination, to perform on the stage in disguise, she still can’t break the traditional customs about marriage at that time. So I guess I am lucky to be born in nowadays.
2. By highlighting the difference, it reflects the idea of love in nowadays and makes people think. Sometimes people just abuse the right of love. That’s why there would be so-called “instant love.” People are too free to take the relationships in serious. Compared with Shakespeare and Viola, who are restrained but dying to be together, it’s really sarcastic. People should know why they want to love; and once finding out the reason, they should keep it and treasure the relationship.
(2) In reality, the chances for them to be together are little. For the different social status between two of them and the background in 16th century…etc, they should only give in and accept the destiny— to be separated .
But in their mind, they are already together and nobody could separate their hearts and souls; even though they’re miles apart. But I think Shakespeare should confess to Viola that he had married once earlier. I think it’s just a little bit too late for him to tell the truth. Though it doesn’t affect the relationship at all, I just feel awkward. After all, I believe that love should base on honesty. Without honesty, there would be no trust, let alone love.
96540344 Ann
95540460 Eva
ReplyDelete(1)I think the purpose for the director to make the focus shift is to mirror the reality and the fancy writing world.
In this movie, Shakespeare is a poor playwriter who suffered from money issue and needed inspiration so badly. As Viola, she is a woman with everything she wants, and live a carefree life. So, there is a huge gap between their living condition and social rank. However, when they fall in love, everything seems to change. Shakespeare strated to write like a Muse, and they love seems to be unstoppable just like the love that Romeo and Juliet had in the play. But, when the crucial moment came, Viola choose to go with the rich man instead of Shakespeare which is unlike the choice that Romeo and Juliet made. I think this discribe the reality that we can't just follow our heart when we are making decision such as marriage. Although Romeo's love is so beautiful and brave, but it is nothing but fairy tales. Whereas the love between Shakespeare and Viola ended when the reality came.
So, I think the purpose of the director of doing this is to let us compare and recognize the differences between dreams and reality. And also let us understand the similarities and dissimilarities among teenagers' love and mature adults' love.
(2) I don't think they can and should be together. Since they both had got marry already, i think they should just stay where they belong, and leave their love as a immortal memory in their heart. Sometimes, it is best to see things from a distance instead of watch it too close, just like they love. Besides, i think by doing this, Shakespeare can have more imagination and inspiration to write.
<1>In my opinion, there are two reasons for the director to make this focus shift. One is that he wants to make the audiences know more about Shakespeare's life. He is a great poet/playwright. He had some diffidulties in his life. From the moive, we can learn that genius is just like ordinary people. Any one of us will have ups and downs in our lifetime. The other reason for the director to make this focus shift might be that he wants to make the audience have the chance to compare this movie with Romeo and Juliet. We can see a lot of differences between the two movies. Shakespeare and Viola won't be a happy couple forever because of the reality. But Romeo and Juliet have a happy life in the end of the movie. The director might want us to think more deeply about the differences between the reailty and the fairytale.
ReplyDelete<2> I think there is no chance for them to be together. There are too many difficulties in front of them. Shakespeare had got married already. Viola would marry to a man that was equal to her status. Although we hear that poor man got married to a rich woman, this situation seldom happend in the ancient time.
96540317 Jocelyn Chen
(1)The director or the writer may consider that it should be the real affair experience for Shakespeare to write "Romeo and Juliet," such a beautiful but tragic story. In the film, Shakespeare writes down the plot which has happened between Viola and him into "Romeo and Juliet" but there are different endings for them. Shakespeare and Viola submit to the reality and Viola is married the noble that her father arranges for her. While Romeo and Juliet commit suicides for their frustrated love, and they are together to complete their love in another world. That's the diffenence between reality and fabrication, and that's what makes "Romeo and Juliet" touching and well-known.
ReplyDelete(2) There was little chance for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. For Viola is a rich merchant's daughter, she was used to the rich life. If Viola ran away with Shakespeare, she would not endured the poor life with Shakespeare before long. It is said that when poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window. Still nobody knows that how long can Shakespeare's love last. Maybe Shakespeare's love for Viola would end as soon as he met a new Muse who could bring him completely novel inspiration. Perhaps the ending that they were apart from each other earned Viola a special place in Shakespeare's heart for good, and makes the great William Shakespeare.
(1). I think the purpose for the director to make the shift is because the reality.
ReplyDeleteUnlike today's democracy, there is only one way to go at that times. Especially for the marriage, there are too many aspects that should be concerned with reality. Of course, if there have the chances, I believe taht Viola would marry Shakespeare. But the truth is, they only can love each throuth the opera.
(2).All I mentioned above, it seems that the chances for them to be together are nearly impossible. Of course, there can be some exception but would be very difficult. Because their background is too different from each other.
96540348-Alexa
(1)
ReplyDeleteAs the perspective of business, it will be unwise to put the focus again on the love between Romeo and Juliet because the 1996 version has already done so.
When we are watching the love between Romeo and Juliet, we only see their story. However, it will be different if we are watching the relationship between Shakespeare and Viola because it would be two stories. And I think the effect will become more than two. Especially, I think it is great to see the process of how the masterpiece is produced. We can feel what makes Shakespeare have the inspiration of the story. It is not a story made from imagination. Instead, it is a true story. And true story touches people.
(2)
I think there is chance for them to be together, but not forever.
I think Viola is kind of similar to Griet in “The Girl with a Pearl Earring”. Vermeer needs Griet to make a painting just like Shakespeare needs Viola (or other women) to make a story. All they need is inspiration. Both two women only live in those men’s art world. I approve of Vinia’s viewpoint that once the passion, the desire, and the inspiration is gone, the relationship is going to end. I think for Viola, one big difference from Griet is that Viola and Shakespeare do love each other for a period of time, while Vermeer and Griet don’t. For Viola, it is possible for her to love Shakespeare forever because what she loves is his poet, his talent, and his skill. Again, for Shakespeare, as soon as Viola cannot provide him with inspiration, I think he will just go to find another woman.
For the movie, I think it only presents little chance for them to be together. We can see that Queen Elizabethis has married Viola to the Earl. Although Viola is not so willing to do so, her will of resistance is not as big as Juliet’s. In some way, she accepts this fact. All she wants is cherish the left little moment with Shakespeare and do well in the drama.
By Mark 96540332
(1)After watching this romantic loving movie, I was deeply impressed and touched by the love between Shapkespeare and Viola. Compred to the last movie,Romeo and Juliet, this movie would get more critea from my view points. For the movie of Juliet and Romeo, the director took modern time as its background. To some degree, i don’t think the audience will fully understand how the hatred between two families would lead Romeo and Juliet to this end, death. In modern society, people are more liberal, and there may not be so serious hatred between families. Therefore, the movie of Romeo and Juliet relatively lose its credits. On the other hand, I prefer the direct set the time at 16th centries; as i said, it would make audience more involved of the time in the movie and the events happened at that time. Moreover, this movie mainly descibed how Shakespeare struggled in writing his play by being inspired by a women, Viola. Shifting the love from Romeo and Juliet to the love of Shakespeare and Viola, the director put more emphasis on the infulences of class hierarchy and traditional norms in 16th centries for us to understand.
ReplyDelete(2)For my own view points, I think the chance for them to be together was very minimal. Under this kind circumstances, the traditional norms did greatly overwhemled their love. However, when I was watching this movie, it made me feel that there was somehow chance for them to be together. Although women were not allowed to be on the stage, Viola, at the end, did a very great job of the play. In the movie, people showed their applause to her instead of denying her. Moreover, the Queen also did the judge that there did have true love happened at the play which was that the Queen never believed in. She judged that Wessex lost the game and had to pay. By this plot, I think if Shakespeare and Viola insist their love and not to surrender to the traditional norms, they will definitely be together.
96540313 Joy Chuang
(1) I think the purpose for the director to make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola is that he wants audience to exactly feel the love between Shakespeare and Viola by showing the drama of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDelete(2) The movie doesn’t present any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. In the end of the movie, even though Queen Elizabeth agreed them to be together in her heart, they had married on front of god; they had become a couple in from of the God; as a Christian or a Catholic, they couldn’t divorce.
96540328 Erita
1) I think the purpose of the director was let the audience trapped between the reality and the play. Willian had been inspired by his love towards Viola so that he could write this beautiful play. However, later we were left amazed as the lines (of Romeo and Juliet) could fit their love story and more, their love illustrated the play at the end on the theatre, which make a strong and true love story within a romantic play. And another purpose, in my opinion, is an comedic one, because william designed the lines while he was with Viola, but the lines were under other situations when brought to the stage. So that makes the shift funny.
ReplyDelete2) I don't think the plot provides any chance for them to be together. Different from the Romeo and Juliet(we saw the week before), this love is more drawn in an adult way. Their love are not less stronger compared to the teenagers, but they both know the limit and their destiny. Seperation is never easy, but their love has reached to a higher level.
by Anita 95540458
1) The script Shakespeare wrote was one way to show his love to Viola as he got the inspiration from his muse, Viola. Viola appreciated a man, who can touch her heart with literature, and Shakespeare created many beautiful works when he was in love with her. So, the play "Romeo and Juliet" represented their love, even if they failed in the end, the play still existed. It just like even if Viola married with another man, Shakespeare still showed their love to the public through the play. In other words, their true love was superior to Viola's benefits exchanged marriage. Hence, I think the director shifting the scenes by emphasizing on the connection between Shakespeare&Viola and Romeo&Juliet.
ReplyDelete2)I don't think there is any chance for them being together. Viola's husband's jealousy and greedy overwhelmed their love. He could use his power to surrender Viola of being with her lover. And the queen commanded their marriage, too. It was impossible for Shakespeare and Viola to fight for their love. However, the memory won't be gone after all. They keep each other on their minds forever and ever.
by Julia 96540321
I think that the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola lead to if Romeo and Juliet can have happy ending. When Shakespeare and Viola fall in love, the story plots of Romeo and Juliet are lovely and happiness. When Shakespeare and Viola miss each other, the story plots of Romeo and Juliet is romantic and attracts audiences. I know that the woman has to obey the decision of parents to marry at that time. Therefore, the couple has no free-love to get together and separate forever. I think they may have a lot of pressure from their background and tradition. They can not get happiness if they choose get together. I think Shakespeare and Viola are mature so that they can not force each other to get together. However, Romeo and Juliet are too young to they want to get together by commit suicide. I think the background of Shakespeare and Viola similar with butterfly lovers in Chinese. The woman’s family is rich and the man is poor. Therefore, the woman has to ban from the stage and marriages are arranged by parents at that time. And the ending of Romeo and Juliet similar with butterfly lovers, they die together for their love. Finally, we are attracted by their romantic love.
ReplyDeleteby Cherry 96540305
I think the director wants to express the same thing, the obstacles between couple, but from different aspects. It seems that the situation between Romeo and Juliet is less possible to happen nowadays. I do believe that some people’ marriage is arranged by their parents. However, most people are free to choose who they are going to marry to. What has happened in the sixteenth century cannot fit in twenty first century. To make sense to people who live in modern society, the director adapts it in order to be closer to what will truly happen
ReplyDeleteI think they did have chances to get together. However, I didn’t see they fight for their love like Romeo and Juliet. Everything just moved smoothly. Viola got married with Lord Wessex. Shakespeare didn’t try other ways to make everything stop. Although their background were not well matched. It could be conquer if they really loved each other. I really didn’t see they make any effort to save their love. Of course their love story didn’t turn out to be a happy ending. I think if their love could just exist in the story that Shakespeare wrote, that would be really sad.
-96540329 Sharon
(1)by that way, its audience could have a better understanding how William Shakespear was inspired to create this great romantic play, it may not be true, may only be fictional, but that makes the audience feel empathetic towards the play itself, and the characters in the film, because they all fit perfectly.
ReplyDelete(2) well, i don't think they can be together, it's all about social classes, and the reality. there's always a fancy side about being with someone rich/poor, and you, of course, being the opposite social status comparing w/ your lover, but when it comes to reality, it rarely works out, Viola is married after all, so it makes things more difficult, and harder for them to be together.
Comment by Michelle 96540451
(1) I think the reason for the director to make the focus shift is probably that he wanted to show us that how the life was different from nowadays. Just as we know, Shakespear is such a brilliant playwriter, but few of us truly know about his life. On the contrary, "Romeo and Juliet" is a well-known play, and almost everyone knows the plot. So it is a good way for director to show the marrige choice between Shskespear and Viola by the love between Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDelete(2) I do not think there are any chances for Shakespear and Viola to be togethe because they had totally different living background. She was rich, but he was poor. Moreover, Shakespear had already got married!! Also, of course, Viola's parent wanted her daughter to marry a family of equal standing.
(1) I think the purpose for the director to make the focus shift on Shakespeare and Viola is because that he wants to express a situation. In the past, many children’s marriage decided by their parents. Compare with nowadays, most people can choose their own spouses. So, the love between Shakespeare and Viola is typical case in 16th century.
ReplyDelete(2) I think there are chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together, but it might be difficult. After all, they are in 16th century but not now. However, maybe it is because that they didn’t try their best to make changes to get together. I think if they did pay efforts for their love, maybe Viola could not marry the lord and they could have a happy ending.
96540323 Gladys
(1) I think the director’s major intension of alternating the shifts from Romeo and Juliet to William and Viola was to mirror the actual love scene with the theatric work. It was obvious that Shakespeare was inspired by his personal love experience when he wrote the play of Romeo and Juliet, and his passion led him to a fountain of muse and favorable turning point of his career. The two love stories, one actual and the other created, not only paralleled but also contrasted with one another. The camera shifted from the front stage to backstage, and then off stage, integrated the play writer’s joy and pain with the characters in the play. The lines in the play were not artificial but honest and poetic, reflected the writer’s encounter and thus reinforced the emotional involvement of the audience’s theatric experience.
ReplyDelete(2) Unlike the movie we watched last week, this film seemed to leave no opportunity for the two lovers to change their destiny. Comparing with Romeo and Juliet, Will and Viola’s relationship appears to be more sophisticated, as they are not only attracted by each other sexually but also have intellectual connections. I strongly believe they have higher percentage of ending up staying happily ever after than the teenage couple. Viola can help William on his writing, and with their perfect teamwork and creativity, William may become a big shot and support Viola. However, to my surprise, they did not try to overcome the barrier but simply give in. Maybe the social boundary at that time was too difficult to cross, or maybe both of them dare not mess with the Queen as she had already agreed with Viola’s marriage with the irritating noble guy. Yet, how did they know it was not going to work if they did not even give it a try? I don’t know.
95540455 Melissa
Somehow Shakespeare and Viola are in the different social stratum, and Romeo and Juliet are in the antagonistic clan, and both of them are falling in love with each other. It’s similar. Romeo and Juliet seemed to fall in love in Inferno, they were not only set on the fire of love, but also burned their life. Shakespeare had the empathy as same as them, so he tried to story his mind. And I don’t think that the movie present any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together, because they cannot.
ReplyDelete96540307 Millia
1. I think the purpose is that director wants to make this movie real. Since the “Romeo and Juliet” is created by Shakespeare, it seems like “Romeo and Juliet” is really adapted from Shakespeare’s love story. What’s more, it makes sense where Shakespeare gets the inspiration.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, they have the chances. Since it’s the love between the poor and the rich, it makes easier to solve than the conflict between two families if both of Shakespeare and Viola can make up their mind to give up those important things which limit they develop their love. That is Shakespeare give up his drama, and Viola give up her family’s glory. They can flee to anyplace, and live a happy but poor life. It’s still the money chores………………
96540327 Daisy
(1)What is the purpose for the director to make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, such a masterpiece with much praise as Romeo and Juliet easily appeals to audience. Adapting the plot is not only a way to drag the audience’s attention back but imply how this well-known drama was created in combining Shakespeare’s personal life. This strategy is indeed imaginative on the plot arranging and feasible on catching nowadays viewer’s attention.
Second, remind the audience that the love affair at certain context is difficult to ends happily. In reality, Viola was ready to get married, and Shakespeare had already have wife. They two are doomed to be deprived of their right to choose their true love in the context of sixteenth-century London. After all, it’s like Viola said:” It’s my nature to fulfill a daughter’s responsibility”. Viola was brilliant; her wit saved a lot of people’s trouble. As long as Viola gave away her love to Shakespeare, her family had no trouble in convincing her; the queen would not bother to handle this mass; Shakespeare’s wife would not lose her husband; and, friends of Viola and Shakespeare wouldn’t be harassed. Even though it’s sad to admit that Viola and Shakespeare had to surrender their soul mate I approve of the two mature adult’s decision of not breaking their social relationship.
Third, with the constantly shift between the famous love story and Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s love was realized on the stage. Instead of involving many other people’s interests into their love affair, Viola and Shakespeare’s accomplish their love on the stage along with the applause of various classes. Who said their love ends no where? I believe that the audiences in that space were deeply touched by them.
(2) Does the movie present any chances for Shakespeare and Viola to be together?
Yes, I bet. They could 100% ran out of their country; then start their new life somewhere else. While their responsibility and their ethical consciousness kept them from doing so. I prefer the of this movie’s ending which stimulates our thought on people around us, the financial condition we are in, and the balance of love and true life. At least they had experienced the most memorable time in their life. In my opinion, dare dream while dare not to harm others.
By 96540333 Jennifer
(1)I think the director wanted to emphasize on how Shakespeare got the inspiration to write the play “Romeo and Juliet”, also wanting to tell us the cultural background of London in the sixteenth-century. This movie made the connections between Romeo and Juliet’s love and Viola and Shakespeare’s love. We can know that the plots of the play were almost the real descriptions of Viola and Shakespeare’s love. Also, in Shakespeare’s time, women were abandoned to play a role in a play; however, Viola had the courage to disguise a boy to play a role in a play. I think the director wanted to present these characteristics of Shakespeare to let us know more about Shakespeare and Viola.
ReplyDelete(2) I don’t think that Viola and Shakespeare had the chance to be together, because the obstacles between them were too hard to break. Though they loved each other deeply, the different status of them and the social conventions did not permit them to be together. What’s more, Viola’s parents were already arranged Viola’s marriage to the businessman, and the empress also already permitted this marriage. There was already no chance for Viola and Shakespeare to change the facts.
96540315 Betty
1.The focus shift make the play "Romeo and Juliet" alive and more impressive. We can see how "Romeo and Juliet" was created from the real life of Shakespeare. The hero and heroine could not live a happy life together because of their background, and also there was a thrid person between them. It is sad that two people loved each other so much did not have a happy ending. This movie shows that "Romeo and Juliet" is not just a play, but a real tragedy.
ReplyDelete2.I think the movie did present a chance for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. Actually, everyone, even the queen in the movie knew that Shakespeare and Viola loved each other. We can see from the movie that both Shakespeare and Viola were brave and did not care about how others might judge them.(They could not stop kissing each other on the stage.) Therefore, I think that once they can make up their mind, they can run away to live their own life. Besides, Viola was so rich, she can bring some expensive jewels and sell them, so they will have money.
96540322 Jasmine
(1)I think the purpose is to show how Shakespeare created this great play Romeo and Juliet and make people know more about him. For a too long time, we only know those plays he wrote but we have little idea about his life. This movie is a good way for us to have some information about him.
ReplyDelete(2)I think they have a chance to be together.
Viola could dress herself very well to a man and run away with Shakespeare to other place. They could start their life from the very beginning.
96540341 Ella
The love that we can't get maybe is the truest heart from your deeper mind; just like Shakespeare and Viola. There's no other place that Shakespeare could unbosom his heart-rending emotion. Shakespeare, as a writer, he poured his broken heart into the "Romeo and Juliet" story to experess his feeling. The difference between Shakespeare's and Romeo's love is that Viola chooses to marriage to duke, but Juliet decides to die with her truly love.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i think they had firmly love with each other, they still had lots of chances to get together. With this hopeless love, shakespeare gave up!! There's no chance anymore. The soul-stirring love story always never have good consequence. Becuase of the power and money, why couldn't poor people get their love. Because they have snobbishness, or they just wnat to fulfill their parents' hopes. Paula 96540334
I think the shift is to show two facts of love and career life:
ReplyDeleteFirst, to show another social barrier between two lovers, in this movie is social backgrounds in terms of money. Second, to show that real life experiences are one of the reasons and motives to have a great achievement in one’s career as we saw it in the movie the director may want to connect the success of Romeo and Juliet to the real life of Shakespeare himself, or to the time when the play (Romeo and Juliet) was written by Shakespeare which is sixteenth century.
Since the movie talks about marriage in sixteenth century with so many limitations and obstacles for two lovers with two different social statues, I do not think the movie presents any chance for Viola and Shakespeare to be together. And I hate the fact that in the movie Shakespeare married his wife only because she had a cottage, and he was willing to abandon her for another woman who he also wanted to use for his own fantasy and career, it is just ridiculous, and if once Viola realizes this fact, then it will become another obstacle for them to be together.
Bahyan 96540352
By Kezhan 96540350
ReplyDeleteHe shows us his own experience and let the audience to know about Shakespeare’s real life because the movie is based on a true story. Romeo and Juliet could not be together because of the hater between both of their families. Shakespeare and Viola could not be together because Viola has promised to a wealthy man to marry with. So there will be no thing left for love and married choice except a great memory of the love they had. I think Shakespeare wanted to show people those difficulties for love and marriage choice in the past and let us to see what a huge different between the past life and nowadays.
I think the movie show no chance for them to be together because of the different of the rank between Viola and Shakespeare. Also Shakespeare is already married and Viola couldn’t refuse marry of a wealthy man that her father wanted for her to marry with.
I think the purpose for the director to make such change is to make comparison between romance and reality. But I saw the information from the internet which says the reason that the screenwriter wrote this movie was because his son asked him where Shakespeare’s inspiration of writing “Romeo and Juliet” came from. He thought it must be someone who had fallen in love to be able to write such a masterpiece. And then the screenwriter came up with this movie.
ReplyDeleteThe movie does present chances for them to be together since Elizabeth I grants their great love. However, the gap of social status is an obstacle that they need to cross seeing from a practical way.
Ivy 96540303
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(1)I think the director wants to make us know how the literary classic,"literary classic" made and the different situations between the past and nowadays. In the past, children's marriage is arranged by their parents, they have the obvious hierarchy system. They just agree a marriage between families of equal social rank. Juat like William Shakespeare projests his love on his play because he is not accepted by Viola's parents. But nowadays, we can have the liberal love.
ReplyDeleteMoreover I think there is no chance for them to be together. There are so many problems between William and Viola, their families, classes, marriage and so on.
By 96540347 Lisa
(1)I think that the purpose for the director to make the focus shift is to let us compare the differences between love at first sight and love based on reliance and how it affects the later life. In Romeo and Juliet, the two lovers are deeply in love, and this love is true love. Yet, because of this, there’s no limit what lovers would do as long as they can be together. They may be irrational at making decisions. Therefore, we see the play ends with the tragedy that the heroine committed suicide. Yet in Shakespeare in love, the love is based on some kind of dependency and admiration. The protagonist relies on his lover for inspirations for his writing, and the heroine loves her lover out of admiration for his excellent talent. They don’t truly love each other. Therefore, they don’t have to be together forever. That’s why we see Viola accepts her parents’ arrangement to marry Earl. Unlike Juliet, Viola accepts every arrangements and don't even resist against it. She didn’t even think about running away with Shakespeare in that she knew what was best for them. Her husband has supreme power to do almost everything. If she did anything to fight against it, she would only suffer instead of living a happier life. Yet from this we can observe that the first kind of love is somehow seems less mature while the other one seems more mature.
ReplyDelete(2) In my opinion, there are chances that Shakespeare and Viola would be together if they are willing to fight against it and overcome all the barriers. Just like Romeo and Juliet, fight against their destiny and not to follow what they were arranged and they were together at the end.
95540456 Charlene
(1) I think the purpose of director’s focus shift is to urge us to think of not only the overwhelming passion for pure and innocent love but the dilemma of love which the sophisticated reality involved in. Love with no consideration of the result, like “Romeo and Juliet”, is always beautiful and appealing to audiences. However, the situation Shakespeare and Viola faced is indeed connected to the audience who has been tortured by the reality since the first day of life.
ReplyDelete(2) I agree with Mark. They could surely get together but not forever. The relation between Shakespeare and Viola started at a point that only ardor are consider. Both Shakespeare and Viola are submerged by intense emotion to each other. The foundation of love which highly depends on passion could not last forever if no rational thought is brought into it.
Annon 96540320
I think the purpose was to make a comparison between the "purity love" and "real love". Love is not always about you and I, but our family and other aspects which also shows us the reason Romeo and Julia failed to be together.
ReplyDeleteAs to Shakespear's love with Voila, I think they are always together, in terms of spiritual love.
95540333 Katie
96540342 Grace
ReplyDelete(1)After watching this movie,it keeps me wondering what the director's purpose was,and I think I do find some answers for that. The reason why he chose to focus on the love between Shakespear and Viola was because he wanted us to know more about Shakespear himself,and also let us learn more about how and what made Shakespear write such a great play'Romeo and Juliet'.
(2)I know it would be totally difficult for Shakespear and Viola to be together. I mean,it seemed that everyone around them thought so,even until nowadays,people still don't think they could make it work. However,I have a belief in the power of ture love. There are many couples face difficuties every day,but if they do love each other,I am sure that they would try their best to find out a way and make themselves together. I know it sounds crazy,but people who are in love would love to give it a shot.
(1)The purpose to choose reality but not fantasy brings audiences for more deep thought. The love between Romeo and Juliet is too dramatic; however, the love between Shakespeare and Viola make audiences to think whether it’s real for Shakespeare to write his book; therefore, the plot in the movie got more powerful to attract audiences.
ReplyDelete(2)I think Shakespeare to love Viola is a crush. Shakespeare is to find inspiration for his work and accidently to find the beautiful Viola. Besides, Viola also has a crush on him because of his work. What if the beauty and the creation of his work is no more exist? On the other hand, breaking those social barriers, class gap could be tough.
96540343 Carol Lin
family culture is part of social culture,therefore the gap of social class in two families is valued by social culture. every one likes to be respected.however, our personal values are highly affected by social culture so in order to fit into social, we can't help but accepting it to get "respect". for example, in this movie, play sponsors want plays cater to Queen's taste because of her authority, so many people consider it to be a standard to get respect when their play can amuse Queen. that's why director make the focus shift in order to foreground this social phenomenon at that time.
ReplyDeleteby Eric
I think the purpose of the director is to show the importance of "family of equal standing" and "well match" in that time. In these two movies, parents of the heroines both require families of heroines' mates must be upper-class.
ReplyDeleteAs for the love between Shakespeare and Viola, as long as they love each other, they can overcome any difficulties.
95540450 Annie Chang
(1)
ReplyDeleteI think the purpose is to fullfill people's imagination of the man, Shakespeare. People read his novels about the greatest love between Romeo and Juliet; all people must be curious about the Shakespeare's own love story. Hence, the directer connected Shakespeare's masterpiece to Shakespeare's own love story. Another purpose is trying to express the difference between story about love and true love story. Stories about love could always have a happying ending, however, the true love story might not.
(2)
I think the answer is Yes. In the movie, the directer did present a chance for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. In the end of the movie, the Queen has commended that the husband has lost his wife. I think at that time viola was free. They could just get divorce and then they could be together.
96540345 Angela, Hu
(1)I think the director might want the audience to make comparison and connection between the play “Romeo and Juliet” and the real lives back to that generation. Though I don’t do research on the history that if Shakespeare did write the play according to his own experiences, I guess the possibility is good. From a viewer’s perspective, I think it’s quite interesting to see the stories of Shakespeare whom we only know from his works.
ReplyDelete(2)Practically speaking, there is barely chance for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. Again, it’s about the cliché of old-times values. I agree with what Ann said; actually Shakespeare and Viola had already been together spiritually. To me, after watching the movie, I just popped a crazy guess that Shakespeare might rush to find Viola someday and start a secret affair again or something. I mean, how can he write another play which the heroine is named Viola without a real experience?
By Jimmy 96540340
(1)
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this movie, I think the director makes the focus on the romance of Shakespeare and Viola instead of Romeo and Juliet is because the director intends to let the audience differentiate the love story in books and in real life. Also, the director shows us the life and culture in the old time. Many aspects of that time show the huge differences between noble people and commoners, and this also explains why Shakespeare and Viola couldn't be together. Real life is not fairytale, there is not always happy ending.
(2)
I think there is still chance for Shakespeare and Viola to be together. At the end of movie, I think the director gives us a hint that Shakespeare is going to write another work, and we all know that The Twelveth Night is also a masterpiece of Shakespeare. And we can imagine that if Shakespeare be a first place drama writer, his fame and social status rise, then he will be a man who can match with Viola. And then they will have a reasonable chance to be together.
96540338 Sonia
(1)The situation between Romeo with Juliet and Shakespeare with Viola is almost the same. From their personal background, Juliet and Viola are both born in a rich family. They are eager to have an unforgettable love with their lover. Unfortunately, Juliet and Romeo’s family are rivals for a long period, and this makes her and Romeo hardly get together. Same, in the example of Shakespeare with Viola, they meet each other in a particular moment, and then they fall in love with each other deeply. Although the story plot is similar with Romeo with Juliet, I think it is much easier to understand. In these two examples, the Shakespeare with Viola’s situation can be understood much easier by audience. Because there are no severe enmities or other special incidents between Shakespeare and Viola, I think this is the reason that director wants the audience to know the plot clearly. Even in a normal situation, there still may have an amazing love story. Also, from love to marriage choice, the director wants the audience to see the problem clearly. The director must want audience to experience the plot via a practical choice which directly influence on audience’s future. That is marriage choice I think.
ReplyDelete(2)I think the director doesn’t set opportunities for Shakespeare and Viola. Although they love each other and they live together for a short period of two weeks, they still don’t get married with each other in the end. The director use the Queen’s authority as an obstacle, which is like a death penalty, and Shakespeare and Viola must obey it.
comment by Frank 96540314
(1) I think the reason why the director makes the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola is that he wants to contrast the love between old times and nowadays.
ReplyDelete(2) I think the opportunity for them to get together is very little because marriage is decided by parents at that time. They have to obey what their parents say.
by Amanda 96540337
(1) I think the director is trying to tease and criticize the cultural barrier in that time. People who love each other couldn’t get together because they are in different social hierarchy. This is pathetic. Also, women were not given the right to choose whom to marry to. This is also a kind of discrimination. In 16th century, women had not much right. In contrary, there was Queen in that time. If there is a Queen, why women’s right is still deprived? This is a question that I want to ask.
ReplyDelete(2) I think they can follow Romeo and Juliet’s plan. Like I said in my last comment, Viola is rich enough to take Shakespeare away and they can live together. In fact, I think why they didn’t run away with each other is not because of the social barrier, but because of Shakespeare’s love for both plays and Viola. He didn’t want to abandon either of them. However, he loved his plays more than Viola. That’s why he chose to let Viola go instead of making out a flee plan. And that’s why the title of the movie is called “Shakespeare in Love.” These are actually my own interpretation.
by 96540306 Alan
1> I think the purpose for the director to make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet is that, in that time, it is a tragic that women don't get tO choose who they want to love, instead paretns pick their husbands for them, gender issues is extremely severe in that time. These rules in society has confined lots of women to seek for their true love, and the desire for love, therefore it's a prejudiced point of view.
ReplyDelete2> I think their love is better off to keep in their mind, both of them have different social background, social status, it's hard to ignore all of that in that period of time, sometimes love won't be that romantic when it lasted too long, moreover both of them have been married once before, it's hard to trust another companion after the second marriage.
by 96540453 ALEX
i love the story! i felt the love between S & V is as great as Romeo&Juliet's. R&J sacrificed their love to make peace possible while S&V let theirs be remembered, teaching true love to the world.
ReplyDeleteWhy Shakespeare can write down a masterpiece, Romeo n Juliet? He must experienced some that inspire him to do so. I don't think Shakespeare and Viola can get together. Viola born in a rich family. And she is only way for her family to be not only rich but authority. On the other hand, Shakespeare is only a writer, he has no future. His societal status is far far behind Viola. The society in that day don't allow them to get together.
ReplyDelete(1)I think that both two pair lovers have same situation like Romeo and Shakespeare was born in poor family, but Juliet Viola was born in rich family. On the other hand, their love is not smoothly at all, and also both the story of Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare are great famous in the world, so it is so easily to compare each other.
ReplyDelete(2) There is no way that Shakespeare and viola can stay together, because the concept of social classes so strong in that time. If the problem can be solved, I think they will have a chance to stay with each other.
by Steven 96540304 四英三
I think every great masterpiece has something to do with the writer's experience. Though Skakespeare's love doesn't come to a good end, Sheakspeare puts that kind of regret into Romeo and Juilet, whose love that people all eager to have-someone who will die for you. The shift is also to show the audience the reality. This kind of love, with some joy when in love, with some blue or regret when departing...it's bitter but it's the reality.
ReplyDeleteI think they have chances to be together only they have courage to leave their country. If Shakespeare has that courage to fight Lord Wessex, he might also have courage to take Viola away. However, he doesn't do so. Maybe both of them consider it's better to let their love to stay in their memory.
96540318 Sunny
(1) Because the plot of Romeo and Juliet is a refletction of Shakespear and Viola. The only difference between the two stories is 'Romeo and Juliet' is a play, Shakespear and Viola are truly existed. In my opinion, the way the director presented can make us feel more impressed by their love.
ReplyDelete(2) To me, possibilities are alway exist. In this movie, the queen definitely plays an important role. And it is clear that the queen has been touched by the love between Shakespear and Viola in the end of this movie. In my opinion, if Shakespear and Viola can show their love to the queen earlier , they can be together without doubt.
Commented by Amy 96540339
ReplyDeletei'm Lester. i think the purpose is the director wants to everyone to realize that the romance would take place everywhere, even the ends sometimes are the same. Different backgrounds and time create different romances.
ReplyDeleteI have heard this movie for many times, but it is the first time that I watch this movie. I think the relationship between Romeo with Juliet and Shakespeare with Viola is quite similar. To compare with them, Shakespeare couldn’t be together with Viola because of their status. They couldn’t love each others in the real world so they put their love into the play. To put their love into the play to show how the love can be so real by the actors. I think there is no chance for them to be together. I don’t think the queen would allow them though she allowed the woman can take part in the show; however, it didn’t mean that the queen would allow them to live a life. It was a pity that after their show which affects everyone, they still couldn’t be together with each other. 96540319 Emily
ReplyDeleteI think the purpose the director wants to express is that romances may happen in everywhere and every era. No matter it ends happily or sadly. However, both of the love stories are ended sadly. The only difference is that one is play and the other one is reality. I think it is possible if only they can escape from their country. The only thing Shakespeare lacks is courage. If he could take Viola away, if he could fight Wessex, the whole story would change, and Shakespeare and Viola can be together ever and ever.
ReplyDeleteBy Cindy Chen 96540335
I think the director make the focus shift from the love between Romeo and Juliet to the marriage choice between Shakespeare and Viola because of the reflection. Romeo is just like Shakespeare himself. Struggling with the reality and goal, both Shakespeare couldn’t help but choice the reality. Romeo chose fled far way due to the accusation; Shakespeare had no way being together with Viola. On the other hand, I think Shakespeare and Viola have a chance be together in this movie. When Viola’s husband lost the bet with the Queen, I think Viola could turn to the Queen for help and ask her husband to divest their marriage. The Queen believed the true love exists through Shakespeare’s play. If Viola and Shakespeare could be brave to face her love and admit their relationship to the Queen, it may be a chance for them to be together. 96540326 Ronne
ReplyDeleteI think it is because the director wants to compare the love between Shakespeare and Viola and Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteno there is no chance for them.
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