Similarities in Other Literature
The basic plot of Romeo and Juliet is seen in many other stories, both ones written before and after Shakespeare’s time. The plight of young forbidden love is a topic that seems to inspire across generations.
Pyramus and Thisbe was written by the Roman poet Ovid, in his epic the Metamorphoses. The story is like that of Romeo and Juliet in that the lovers are forbidden to marry by their families. Read the story here. The most striking similarity is that when Pyramus finds Thisbe's bloodstained veil, he believes her to be dead and falls upon his sword. Thisbe finds him and stabs herself with the same sword.
Pocahontas was a real person, but the Disney movie released in 1995 has better resemblance to Romeo and Juliet. Read a summary here. Like the Montegues and Capulets, the English explorers and the Native Americans do not get along. Like Romeo and Juliet, Pocahontas and John Smith fall in love despite the enmity between the two groups. Another similarity, John Smith is captured by the Native Americans, and is about to be executed when Pocahontas shields him and insists that if he must die than she must be killed as well.
The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride is a modern Movie released in 1998. Read a summary here. The similarities to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet run deep. The two lovers, Kovu and Kiara, are each from rival Prides, and are not allowed to be together. Eventually, they stop a war between the Prides by literally standing their ground between them. This is a change from Romeo and Juliet, who died to stop the feud. Kiara and Kovu live, and are allowed to be together in the end.
Twilight: New Moon is a modern novel released in 2006. Read a summary here. Both Romeo and Juliet and New Moon share the ideas of unrequited love. Edward essentially banishes himself and his family away from Bella, so as to keep her safe, away from vampires. After a series of miscommunications, Edward believes Bella to be dead, so he goes off to kill himself. Edward’s sister realizes the truth that Bella is not dead, and brings Bella to Edward in time to stop him.
Warm Bodies was first a Novel by Isaac Marion released in 2010, then adapted into a film released in 2013. Read a summary here. The main character, R, a zombie, falls in love with Julie, a human. Before this, however, R kills Julie's boyfriend and eats his brains. Romeo, from Romeo and Juliet, eventually kills Paris, but this is after Romeo and Juliet are married. The zombies in Warm Bodies represent the Montegues, and the Humans represent the Capulets. Julie's father will not allow them to be together, and threatens to kill R.
So what can be concluded? With the exception of Pyramus and Thisbe, the two main characters LIVE in the end. they can both live and be together, or at least, the grudges between the groups can be lifted without death. So then why did Romeo and Juliet have to end that way?