Comparing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Otway’s History and Fall of Caius Marius :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Shakespe ares Romeo and Juliet and Otways History and lead of Caius Marius William Shakespeares well-known play Romeo and Juliet addresses the ill-fated love of two young children from feuding households wad in Verona. Over the centuries since the play was starting published around 1595, m some(prenominal) an(prenominal) a(prenominal) different versions have been produced and reproduced. While the basic story remains the equal in these different renditions, certain aspects of the play are handled very differently. doubting Thomas Otway wrote one of the most varied versions in 1680 entitled The History and Fall of Caius Marius. Set in ancient Rome this version focuses often to a greater extent on politics than a story of true love. With this variation many of the extensions are in much varied roles. One of the most self-explanatory character disparities is found in the title character of Romeo, or Marius subaltern as he is called in Otways version. While both versions of th e anthropoid lead go through little or no character development, Romeo and Marius junior are very different in their regard and sense of filial duty and responsibility. Due to the political context of Caius Marius, Marius junior is much more aware and receptive of his filial and social duty, while Romeo rejects any sort of filial or social responsibility. Romeo and Juliet was first published around 1595. At this time in England the family was one of the most central and gelid figures of social order. Children were expected to honor and obey their parents and seek their assistance in any decisions made. Especially in choices made concerning marriage. At this time children were last able to take a more active role in choosing their husband/wife, but parents were essentially given the final decision (Amussen 94). Romeo and Juliet took it upon themselves to contrive such an important decision and hardly even considered their parents in the process. During the first half of the 17th century the average age for a fair sex to marry was 26 and for a man, 28 (Amussen 86). Shakespeares central characters are barely entryway their teen years. As a son flood tide of age, and more importantly the singular male heir for the Montague family, Romeo should be entering University to prepare himself for handling the family fortune, not marrying in secret. This is merely the beginning of his pose of irresponsibility towards his family and ultimately the role he is meant to play in society.