Comparative Essay Example
In the literary world, readers are exposed to a recurring theme that highlights the conflict between passion and responsibility. Many literature authors have explored this thematic concern in-depth to highlight the challenges that hinder the thought process of individuals when executing different tasks in their immediate environment. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare captures the theme through the protagonists, whose death is initiated by a series of events that lead to the termination of a long-standing conflict between two families. The actions of Romeo can be compared to those of Gatsby in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where he overlooks every human aspect involved in making decisions to impress Daisy. When evaluating the motives of different characters in the literary world, people tend to focus on the emotional elements that trigger individuals from discovering various challenges that influence the human perspective towards life. Analyzing the similarities of Gatsby and Romeo present an opportunity for readers to understand the cause of the conflict between passion and responsibility and how it can be resolved in the world today.
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Lust and Passion
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare talks about instant love between Romeo and Juliet, which contradicts the universal standard of initiating and establishing a romantic relationship. It is impossible for one to love another person without learning about their strengths and weaknesses when exposed to different situations. However, Romeo’s love for Juliet is portrayed as a wave that takes over his vision in life and the nature of interactions with other people. When analyzing Juliet’s contribution towards the theme of lust and passion, Shakespeare presents an opportunity for readers to understand how her intentional attitude towards falling in love exposes her to a series of problems (Fischer 120). Unlike Romeo, Juliet was willing to take time and learn Romeo, who was focused on loving her because of the sadness he had experienced after Rosaline declined his interest. However, they were both experiencing an adverse situation in their lives that required a distraction to evade the problems and emerge out of the predicament unscathed.
In a fast-rising neighborhood, Nick finds himself surrounded by a new generation of wealthy young people who have limited access to the outside world. Unlike Nick, whose affluence and wealth could be related to legitimate business practices, characters such as Gatsby, among others, were living large by holding parties often to celebrate and show off their new lifestyle. However, Nick’s perspective and understanding of wealth limited him from misusing his hard-earned resources, which made him a misfit in the small wealthy community. Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby as a lustful individual whose focus on Daisy was influenced by the need to impress her through his wealthy possessions. While Daisy was in another relationship, Gatsby’s passion drove him to ignore the moral code and do the unthinkable, which would yield adverse outcomes. From this observation, Gatsby took the blame after Daisy killed another woman in an accident with the hope of convincing her to love him. Fitzgerald highlights the conflict between passion and responsibility by focusing on the lustful nature of Gatsby that blinds his vision and perspective of different issues taking place in contemporary society.
Similarities Between Gatsby and Romeo
In the two stories, both protagonists are portrayed in a certain way that affects their relationship with other people in their surroundings. For instance, Romeo ignores all the red lights in his plight to settle down with Juliet despite the conflict between their families. By focusing on the changing needs of individuals, one understands the approaches that should be used to align their interests with the renewed focus on specific procedures that define their identity and role in the community. For instance, Romeo’s love for Rosaline diminishes immediately after he sees Juliet, an aspect that demonstrates lust and his inability to overcome challenges taking place in contemporary society. Importantly, both characters are inspired by love to ignore the expected moral code that guides them when interacting with other people and making decisions. For instance, Romeo makes an instant decision to love Juliet moments after seeing her. Without even knowing her name, he proceeds to kiss Juliet, an outcome that demonstrates his ill-driven motives. By reviewing the two stories, readers understand the challenges affecting individuals in their surroundings because of the need to overcome challenges that influence their views towards life.
On his part, Gatsby is the image of a new group of wealthy young people whose source of income can be contested. Unlike individuals like Nick, who earn legitimately, one cannot account for Gatsby’s source of income, especially after reviewing his expenditure. In the book, Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby in a certain way that differentiates him from other people. However, his lustful identity can be compared with Romeo’s, who ignores certain red flags that define the approaches that should be embraced by individuals in their immediate environment (Godin and Jean 73). Although many people might be concerned about the changes that should be made in the contemporary society, evaluating the influence of worldly pleasures and how the comfort of being wealthy drives Gatsby far apart from human existence enables individuals to understand the appropriate strategies that can be used to initiate a romantic relationship. By ignoring the rules of human life, Gatsby is lured into taking the blame after Daisy causes an accident that kills another woman. Given the fact both characters die because of their actions, readers should evaluate the different aspects that influence the perspectives of individuals towards life. Considering the approaches that are used to resolve topical issues affecting people in their immediate environment, people can draw insights from Gatsby’s and Romeo’s conflicts to make informed decisions that cushion them from the uncertainties of life.
Conclusion
Analyzing the similarities of Gatsby and Romeo present an opportunity for readers to understand the cause of the conflict between passion and responsibility and how it can be resolved in the world today. In the literary space, readers are exposed to different scenarios that promote specific thematic concerns, which resonate with events taking place in their immediate environment. Although individuals might not experience the direct consequences of their actions, reading the character formation in Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby exposes readers to an enabling environment where they can take charge of their lives. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare highlights the aspect of lust by presenting the protagonist to two scenarios where he makes an on-demand decision that is fuelled by his bodily desires. Likewise, Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby provokes the thought process of the reader by challenging their views on life, which is manifested by the choices made by Gatsby. Therefore, individuals can enhance their views on life by avoiding activities that interfere with their ability to make informed decisions.