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What Are The Similarities Between Pyramus And Thisbe And Romeo And Juliet

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Pyramus and Thisbe and Romeo and Juliet are two tragic romance stories that are comparable in many ways. The similar concepts and elements reflected in the two works portray themes of love and tragedy, while also expressing the same types of characters and events. The works of the two writers, Ovid and Shakespeare, were written in completely different time periods, but are remarkably comparable in the senses of character purpose, elements, theme, and events. The tragic ending of both stories is suicide, Both pairs of star-crossed lovers make the impulsive decision to take their lives as a result of tragic events and mislead information. In the Prologue of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare states, “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life,”(Romeo and Juliet Prologue line 6). In Pyramus and Thisbe, Ovid says, “The death of two young lovers was the cause,”(947). Pyramus and Romeo both commit suicide under false pretenses and this ultimately results in Thisbe and Juliet also committing suicide. In Romeo …show more content…

In Pyramus and Thisbe, Ovid says, "They longed to marry, but their parents forbade. Love, however, cannot be forbidden," (947). In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare writes, “My only love sprung from my only hate!/Too early seen unknown, and known too late!/Prodigious birth of love it is to me,/That I must love a loathed enemy," (1.5.138-141). The parents of the two teens did not support the relationship and didn't want them to be together. In Romeo and Juliet, the hatred between their families kept them from seeing each other. Lord and Lady Capulet wanted Juliet to marry Paris, but she was in love with and married to Romeo. In Pyramus and Thisbe, their parents did not want them to be together and wouldn't let them see each other. The classic forbidden love element was very much included in these two timeless tales and was represented in these families’

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