Analysis of Archetypal Symbols in Ovid and Shakespeare

The origins of Shakespeare's renowned play, "Romeo and Juliet," are shrouded in obscurity. It may come as a surprise, but the timeless theme of ill-fated love that pervades the play predates Shakespeare by over a thousand years. The term "archetype," as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, refers to the original pattern or model from which all things of the same type are derived. One of the earliest written works to incorporate the enduring archetype of ill-fated love is Ovid's "Pyramus and Thisbe," composed around A.

D. eight and featured in Ovid's "Metamorphoses." This narrative chronicles the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers, and this theme has resurfaced in literature throughout the ages. Both Ovid and Shakespeare employ similar and distinct archetypal symbols within their works, adding depth and resonance to their storytelling.

The Archetypal Symbol of the Wall

One archetypal symbol that is prevalent in both Ovid's and Shakespeare's work is the wall, serving as a potent representation of forbidden love.

Get quality help now

Prof. Finch

Verified writer

Proficient in: Free Essays

4.7 (346)

“ This writer never make an mistake for me always deliver long before due date. Am telling you man this writer is absolutely the best. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Ovid breathes life into this symbol by endowing it with human qualities. He describes the wall as "hateful," personifying it and infusing it with emotion. Additionally, Ovid's lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe, communicate with the wall as if it were a sentient being. Their poignant declaration, "But for you we could touch, kiss," reveals their perception of the wall as an obstacle that listens to their yearnings.

In "Romeo and Juliet," the "wall" assumes the form of the Montagues and Capulets' intense mutual enmity. This feud stands as a formidable barrier separating the young lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare further explores the concept of forbidden love and the "wall" in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," where he introduces the character of Wall, portrayed by an actor. By personifying the wall in this manner, Shakespeare elevates it beyond a mere inanimate obstruction and transforms it into an active participant in separating the two lovers. While Ovid and Shakespeare employ different techniques to personify the wall, both authors utilize it as a symbol of the challenges posed by forbidden love.

The Symbol of the Mulberry Tree in Ovid

In "Pyramus and Thisbe," Ovid introduces another potent archetypal symbol: the mulberry tree. Ovid employs the mulberry tree to symbolize death and the ill-fated love of Pyramus and Thisbe. The poem begins with a description of the tree, revealing that the red berries were once as white as snow. This transformation of the berries' color serves as a metaphor for change, a recurring theme in Ovid's "Metamorphoses." Ovid explains that the berries turned red due to the blood of Pyramus, who took his own life upon discovering Thisbe's bloodstained cloak. The mulberry tree, like the lion, represents death and serves as another formidable obstacle separating the two lovers. Archetypal symbols of death, such as the mulberry tree, can also be identified in Shakespeare's plays.

Common Themes and Differences between Ovid and Shakespeare

While analyzing Ovid's and Shakespeare's use of archetypal symbols, it is essential to explore both the commonalities and distinctions between the two authors. "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pyramus and Thisbe" share strikingly parallel plotlines, recurring symbols, and archetypal characters. However, it is important to note that "A Midsummer Night's Dream" incorporates elements from both "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pyramus and Thisbe." "A Midsummer Night's Dream" functions as a satirical reinterpretation of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pyramus and Thisbe," emphasizing Shakespeare's awareness of these frequently employed symbols and themes.

Both "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pyramus and Thisbe" feature narratives of ill-fated love that unfold tragically. These tales share common archetypal symbols, including the wall, as well as characters that embody archetypal roles such as the doomed lovers and their well-intentioned yet bumbling confidants. These elements resonate across the works of Ovid and Shakespeare, emphasizing the universality of the ill-fated love theme.

However, Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" presents a unique twist on the archetype of ill-fated love. In this play, Ovid's work is reimagined and performed in a comically exaggerated manner by the characters themselves. The play-within-a-play, in which Bottom and his friends clumsily act out the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, serves as a satirical commentary on the overuse and predictability of such archetypal themes in literature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the exploration of archetypal symbols in Ovid's "Pyramus and Thisbe" and Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" enhances our understanding of these timeless works. Recognizing archetypal themes and symbols enriches our engagement with the text, allowing for a more profound and meaningful interpretation of the narrative.

Both Ovid and Shakespeare employ common archetypal symbols to imbue their stories with depth and resonance. The wall, representing forbidden love, stands as a formidable obstacle in both Ovid's and Shakespeare's narratives. The mulberry tree, as a symbol of death and ill-fated love, serves as a recurring motif in Ovid's work and finds parallels in Shakespeare's plays.

While both authors share common themes and archetypal symbols, it is essential to recognize the distinctions and the satirical elements in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Shakespeare's self-awareness of these archetypal themes allows for a playful deconstruction of their predictability.

In the future, when delving into literary works, readers can benefit from recognizing these archetypal symbols that transcend time and culture. The deployment of such symbols by Ovid and Shakespeare serves to enrich their narratives, offering readers a deeper appreciation of the universal themes of love, fate, and tragedy.