The Comedic Wave

During the time of Shakespeare, it was understood that a play expound as a comedy would be one that implies a positive understanding of human figure . . . . a marriage or at least some kind of union or reunion that resolves the conflict and brings the characters into a state of harmony (McDonald, 2001, 81).This describes the storyline of Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet it is a comedy that by modern standards would be sub-categorized as dark because much of the storyline isnt humorous however, the culminating events include a reunion and (a precarious) harmony among the feuding Montagues and Capulets. The plot of Romeo and Juliet is not unique the concept ofboy meets missboy courts girlboy loses girlis the center of many other stories, alone the impact left by the quiver of comedy which is created by such plot lines makes the theme one that is timeless.It seems inevitable that Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet result overcome the feuding of their families, marry, and unreco rded happily ever-after however, this is not to be, for the lovers are star-crossed (Romeo and Juliet, Prologue). The play builds to its dnouementthe dual suicides of Romeo and Julietby taking the audience though the lives of the two youngsters as they attempt to overcome their familial origins. By the time the audience realizes that the two lovers will unite only in death, the impact is profound.(Juliet)Whats here? A cup, closd in my true loves hand?Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.. . . .O happy daggerSnatches Romeos dagger.This is thy sheath there rest, and let me die.She stabs herself and falls on Romeos body. (V. iii. 205-206 212-215)It is a curl up that has been built slowly throughout the playone that remains with an audience fellow member perhaps indefinitely.The state of war between the Montagues and the Capulets has raged for years, and p prowess of the tragedy which becomes darkly comedic in this piece is that the barrier that stands between Romeo and Juliet i s nothing but a word specifically a surname. During her famous balcony speech, Juliet, thinking aloud to herself says,O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. (II.i.7476)Juliet is asking the universe not where her love is, but wherefore Romeo is a Montague. Ludwig Wittgensteins Philosophical Investigations would describe the situation thusly one might say the informative definition explains the usethe meaningof the word when the overall role of the word in language is clean-cut (Wittgenstein, L, 30). In other words, the reason Romeo and Juliet cannot wed has been determined by the definitionthe roletheir respective surnames play.A truly effective comedy builds slowly, creates tension-filled expectation, and comes to a resolution that leaves a reader or an audience member with a long-lasting memory of the event. Shakespeare creates this in Romeo and Juliet by establishing the meaning of the surnames of his characters, and placing each into his /her respective role.ReferencesMcDonald, R. (2001). The Bedford companion to Shakespeare An asylum with documents. (2nd ed.). Boston Bedford.Shakespeare, W. (1992). Romeo and Juliet. (B. A. Mowat P. Werstine, Ed.) The new Folger library. New York Washington Square.Wittgenstein, L. Philosophical investigations. The Galilean library. Retrieved November 29, 2006 from http//www.galilean-library.org/pi3.html.