Conflict

     One of the primary conflicts of Romeo and Juliet is Romeo's indecision between his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, and Juliet, who he has known for a day. Romeo's conflict is personal, rather than interpersonal, as so many of the play's conflicts are, but it does indirectly cause two of the deaths in the play. During Act III, if one is to take Shakespeare at his word, either Romeo or Mercutio could have killed Tybalt. The only reason for the deaths is first Romeo's loyalty to Juliet, which prevents him from fighting Tybalt, and then his loyalty to Mercutio, which forces him to intercede, giving Tybalt the opening needed. Hypothetically, if Romeo had taken on Tybalt himself, it is entirely possible he could have ended the conflict without bloodshed. He easily defeats Tybalt after Mercutio's death, so it's not impossible that this scenario could have occurred. If Romeo had left Mercutio to face Tybalt, but stuck to his resolution to remain neutral, Mercutio may have slayed Tybalt himself, what's more, being the Prince's kin, he may have even gotten away with it. Romeo's indecisive and flighty nature, however, ensures the worst case scenario, ultimately driving him to death's door.

     In reality, just as in Romeo and Juliet, conflict makes life interesting. Just as the play seems to become less interesting after Act III, a world without strife would be nothing like the one we all experience. Of course, in abstract, this is much more appealing than it may be in reality. For all of its character-building properties, conflict tends to leave people hurt, angry, and liable to start a cycle of revenge like the one seen in Shakespeare's play. Still, is it not true that without lows, the enjoyable parts of life taste less sweet? I am wandering.

Anyway...

     In our own existence, one of the most prevalent conflicts is that of human rights. Many are of the opinion that their reality is the only one experienced, that their truths are universal, and that their laws exist likewise. Therefore, when some of these views clash, the result is often venomous. When conflict occurs, people tend to resolve it with one or the other party losing or dead. Still, conflict also forces us to examine ourselves, in our own reactions. It is an integral part of being human.

Romeo and Juliet in Music

     Romeo and Juliet are often overtly referenced in music, as an instantly recognizable pair of lovers parted by injustice, but there are more subtle references as well. This specific case is a retelling of that classic tale, which seems to take its inspiration from West Side Story, a famous adaption, as much as the original play.

Without further ado, O Valencia! by the Decemberists (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vdWBFybOco)

You belong to the gang
And you say you can't break away
But I'm here with my hands on my heart

Our families can't agree
I'm your brother's sworn enemy
But I'll shout out my love to the stars

So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll go, we'll go

When first we laid eyes
I swore to no compromise
'Til I felt my caress on your skin

Well, how soon we were betrayed
Your sister gave us away
And your father came all unhinged

So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll go, we'll go

Oh Valencia
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia
And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down

All I heard was a shout
Of your brother calling me out
And you ran like a fool to my side

Well the shot, it hit hard
And your frame went limp in my arms
And an oath of love was your dying cry

So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll, go we'll go

Oh Valencia
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia
And I'll burn this whole city down
Valencia
With your blood gettin' cold on the ground
Valencia
And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down

The most obvious reference in this song (on a side note, the singer's voice is not quite wonderful, but the music is good) is the star-crossed element. "Our families can't agree/I'm your brother's sworn enemy," and so on. This, also, is the reason I first made the connection.

The line "when first we met eyes/I swore to no compromise" also seems to reference the love-at-first-sight aspect, and the slightly mad aspect of it.

In a slightly more minor way, Valencia and Juliet are both fairly archaic, Italian, long-ish names.

Also, the character of Valencia's brother is quite similar to Tybalt Capulet. He is the enemy of the narrator, similar to Tybalt's enemnity with Romeo, and as Valencia's brother's actions end in his sister's death, Tybalt's violence ends in the death of Mercutio as well as Juliet's happiness.