MaraBarreiro

"In the tradition of comedy that Shakespeare inherited from Plautus and Terence, what typically happens is that a young man and a young woman wish to get married, that there is parental opposition, and that this opposition is eventualy evaded and the marriage takes place." (Frye 303)

This concept of the comedic love story is not only throughout literature but it has also slid into contemporary film. The romantic comedy is all about 'will the couple we know truly love each other get together in the end.' Even though audiences and readers know the outcome they are still drawn to the film or literary work.

Okay, so not all romantic comedies on screen have the whole parental opposition thing happening, but there is always some kind of conflict which blocks the couple from getting together until the end when they discover that nothing as silly as the happenings or feelings of others should get in the way of "true love."

But, the idea of parental opposition is still as popular as it was in the day of Shakespeare, just look at some of the films from the past on into today. There is "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "Meet the Parents," and "Monster-in-Law," this is just to name a few. There are so many more out there. The influence of Shakespeare and those before him is still prevelant today.

Angela raises the issue of intertextuality in sibling rivalry--read her blog here.