Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 is a classic love poem that compares the beauty of the beloved to a summer's day. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of seasons and human beauty but asserts that the beauty of their love will never fade, immortalized in the poem itself.
"Romeo and Juliet" is an iconic tragedy about two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who belong to feuding families. Their forbidden love leads to a series of tragic events, culminating in their untimely deaths, ultimately ending the feud between their families.
"The Tempest" tells the story of Prospero, a magician and rightful Duke of Milan, who has been exiled to an island with his daughter, Miranda. Using his magic, Prospero conjures a storm to shipwreck his enemies on the island. Through a series of events involving love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, Prospero ultimately forgives his enemies and regains his rightful position, while also renouncing his magic. The play explores themes of power, revenge, and the complexity of human nature.
The verses of Shakespeare’s works blossom with timeless beauty, embodying the literary tradition of their era. However, what would happen if these delicate blooms are transplanted into the soil of postmodernism? As we dive deeper into these renaissance pieces we will examine their essence with our postmodern glasses secured in place.
Literary Tradition Text: "But thy eternal summer shall not fade" (Sonnet 18, Line 9) This line serves as a metaphor for the enduring beauty and immortality of the beloved. The use of the word "eternal" suggests a timeless quality, while "summer" symbolizes warmth and the peak of beauty. In a sense, it creates an almost surreal imagery where the natural cycle of seasons is disrupted by the eternal presence of the beloved's beauty.
"She had always believed, and taught us, that everything in life was magical, not that we would become fairy-tale characters, but that we would see the world differently." (Tolstaya) Here, the narrator reflects on their mother's belief in the magical nature of everyday life. This perspective suggests that magic is not necessarily overt or fantastical, but rather a way of seeing the world with wonder and imagination, a
key aspect of magical realism.
Links to Postmodern Media Sources: In "Unnecessary Things" by Tatyana Tolstaya, magical realism is employed to blur the lines between the outlandish and the dull, particularly in the transformation of the childhood teddy bear into a symbol of nostalgic enchantment. This technique resonates with Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, where the beloved's eternal beauty goes beyond the natural order of seasons and mortality, saturating the poem with a mystical quality that speaks to the power of memory and sentimentality.
My Take: I think both works explore the idea of immortalizing the past through objects or art, highlighting the human tendency to attach significance to items that evoke memories and emotions. In Sonnet 18, the speaker immortalizes the beloved's beauty through poetry, while in "Unnecessary Things," the narrator finds connection in the memories associated with the childhood teddy bear. These parallels highlight the timeless themes of love, memory, and mortality that resonate across different literary traditions and postmodern works.
Literary Tradition Text: "here is the deepest secret nobody knows" (Cummings, line 5) This line invites the reader into
the speaker's innermost thoughts and feelings, emphasizing the intimate connection between the speaker and the reader.
"Two households, both alike in dignity, / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean." (Shakespeare, Prologue, lines 1-4) The Prologue, delivered by a Chorus, directly addresses the audience and sets the stage for the tragic events to unfold. This self-aware narration establishes a metafictional frame, drawing attention to the constructed nature of the play.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s): In "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare subtly turns the focus back onto himself as the playwright, crossing the boundaries between creator and audience through various metafictional elements. The Prologue, delivered by a Chorus, directly addresses the audience, inviting them to participate in the narrative unfolding before them. This technique not only establishes a self-awareness within the play but also emphasizes the constructed nature of the story, prompting audiences to consider the role of storytelling itself. Similarly, E. E. Cummings employs metafictional techniques in "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]," as he directly addresses the reader and involves them in the intimate experience of love expressed in the poem. By breaking the fourth wall and engaging the reader in a dialogue about the nature of poetry and love, he invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of love and connection.
My Take: Through these metafictional elements, both "Romeo and Juliet" and "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]" rise above their status as mere narratives, becoming interactive experiences that challenge traditional notions usually found in literature.
Literary Tradition Text: "lonely twin, the left hand" (Gorillaz) These lyrics resonate with themes of isolation and longing, which are like the bread and butter of so many literary classics. It's like they're tapping into this idea of the dual nature of humanity, a concept that's been explored in countless works of literature throughout the ages.
"Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this
insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep." (The Tempest Act 4, Scene 1) Prospero reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence, likening life to a dream. The line "We are such stuff as dreams are made on" echoes similar sentiments found in Shakespeare's other works, emphasizing the universal themes of mortality and the momentary nature of human experience. This intertextuality enriches Prospero's speech, connecting it to a broader literary tradition and inviting audiences to ponder the deeper meaning behind his words.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s): In "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare, intertextuality is evident through the way Shakespeare draws from established literary traditions and tropes, blending them with his own narrative. For example, Shakespeare incorporates elements of classical mythology and Renaissance drama into the play, sampling and sometimes mocking these traditions to craft a unique story of magic, revenge, and forgiveness. Similarly, Gorillaz's song "Humility" showcases intertextuality through its blend of musical genres and lyrical themes. The song combines elements of hip-hop, rock, electronic, and pop music, creating a sound that is uniquely Gorillaz. The lyrics delve into themes of isolation, longing, and self-reflection, showcasing the timeless literary themes that explore the complexities of human emotion and experience.
My Take: I think the intertextuality present in both "The Tempest" and "Humility" showcase the postmodern tendency to blend diverse influences and challenge traditional boundaries. By drawing from established literary and cultural traditions while incorporating elements of modern popular culture, these works exemplify the postmodernist approach of creating complex, multifaceted narratives that reflect the interconnectedness of human experience.
When we look at Shakespeare's works from a postmodern perspective, we see a mix of old-fashioned Renaissance style and modern complexity coming together in an interesting way. Through intertextuality, magical realism, and metafiction, these pieces are reimagined, allowing us to really reflect on the complexities of human existence. As we navigate Shakespeare's renaissance works, we discover a deep interplay of themes and influences, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling.
