Goodnight Juliet, Good Morning Homosexuality
I absolutely loved this play. At first I was worried because I struggle trying to understand Shakespeare's writing; however, MacDonald saved the day with her comedic expressions and mix of modern day writing with Shakespearean verse. I wish I would have read Othello before reading this so I could see how MacDonald changed the events and characters. I would have done so if the play did not have to be read by Monday;)
I laughed out loud over the exaggeration of Romeo and Juliet's obsession over love and death. As most know, Romeo and Juliet's love lasted three days before they committed suicide, which is exaggerated by MacDonald when she has Romeo and Juliet both fall in love with Constance at first sight. I love how MacDonald exaggerates Romeo's obsession with love so far to the point that he is homosexual. Likewise, Juliet pulls out her dagger willingly trying to kill herself along with Constance who she just met the same day all to preserve the love, "I twice did nearly slay myself today/ for love of her whom thou didst seek to kill" (MacDonald 85). It is also quite hilarious to see Tybalt and Mercutio embrace each other after Constance bears the news of Romeo and Juliet's marriage just before Tybalt is to kill Mercutio. This seems to make a joke out of the ridiculousness of two families fighting each other over a hatred that was between their ancestors. Simply by hearing "Tybalt, Romeo is your cousin now" (MacDonald 50) the three lower their swords and head off to the bath together practically skipping with joy.
I found it difficult watching Claude and Constance's students walk all over her in the beginning of the play. Now that Constance has found herself, I imagine her failing her student's week late assignment claiming if the student would have told the truth the result may have been different. Also, when five years from now she bumps into Claude and Ramona on the street corner, I imagine her dressed for success with a doctorate under her belt on her way to an awards ceremony for an amazing piece of writing worthy of a celebration.
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Jessica Orlowski on Goodnight Juliet, Good Morning Homosexuality: Actually, Brooke, I loved the
Brooke Kuehn on Goodnight Juliet, Good Morning Homosexuality: I didn't mind Constance but im
Kayla Lesko on Goodnight Juliet, Good Morning Homosexuality: The more entries I read, the m
The more entries I read, the more I'm realizing that I'm probably the only one who didn't like the play. Constance kind of ruined it for me, I thought she was kind of annoying, but that's just me.
I didn't mind Constance but im not so sure she is even the reason why i like the play so much. Yes, i enjoyed seeing her change, but the comedic aspect in my opinion came from the different actions of Shakespeare's original characters. For instance, Romeo being gay, Mercutio befriending Tybalt, Juliet trying to kill herself more than once: i found it all hilarious. Also, the mix of modern day phrases with Shakespearean lines really helped me understand what was going on (im usually lost when i read shakespeare)
Actually, Brooke, I loved the play too. I thought that MacDonald's use of exaggeration was effective in helping me KIND of understand Shakespeare more.
The only thing that I disagree with is the statement that Constance will have her Doctorate under her belt... It could happen in the exaggerated world in which she met Romeo and Juliet and Othello and Desdemona, but I don't think that anyone would believe her if she went back home with all of these new claims. (particularly because she's the "fool," the alternate author).
The exaggerations, humor, and modern day Shakespearean poetry from Constance certainly helped to make the play easier to understand. Constance’s character was frustrating for me because I hate when people allow others to take advantage of them. I understand that her original personality was necessary to show Constance’s character change at the end of the play, but it is one of the most irritating personality traits for me to read. Kayla, do you think this is part of the reason why you didn’t like the play?