Inter-textual Analysis, Romeo and Juliet

Intertextual Analysis-Romeo and Juliet The visual arts interpretation by Russian artist Ilyas Phaizulline strikes many similarities with the most well-known version of Romeo and Juliet in the form of a book. The characters portrayed are similar, alike in form and attitude. The plot events and motifs put across in both versions of Romeo and Juliet correspond with each other in numerous ways, presenting highly similar though slightly differing interpretations of Romeo and Juliet. Firstly, it is evident that the characters of Romeo and Juliet are present in both interpretations, the visual text and book, which may have been the result of the artist’s reference to the book while depicting his thoughts. This theory can be supported by the fact that the book was published in the late sixteenth century, while the painting was completed much more recently; hence it is only possible that the artist gained inspiration and ideas from another variation of Romeo and Juliet and not the other way around. Another character present in both interpretations is the Nurse, Juliet’s confidante, who is seen peeking into the room when Romeo and Juliet are together in the painting. The two people present in the room near the bed in the painting are clearly Romeo and Juliet as they appear to be deeply in love, their affection and intimacy towards each other indiscreetly shown.
Some of the ideas portrayed in the book are Romeo’s and Juliet’s budding romance and their intimacy, as seen in “my love is as boundless as the sea”, “keep still while my prayer’s effect take place” and “my heart’s dear love is set On the fair daughter of rich Capulet”. This demonstrates Romeo and Juliet’s deep-seated love for each other through their direct confessions of love towards each other and through the extent of their intimacy, illustrations of this being their kiss due to liking at first sight and later the consummation of their marriage. Moreover, the book portrays their genuine, sacrificial love