Bewildered Beloveds: The Befuddled Loves of Williams Works

Whether it be sonnet or play, William Shakespeare's writing have that certain something, that je ne sais quoi. But although each is unique in its own revering way, Shakespeare still had some base to work from, including his characters. Even his tragedies and comedies have similarities, although one deals out laughter and pleasure for the story's whole, while the other deals a hand of sorrow and sadness.  This is shown in the fatal Romeo and Juliet and the jovial The Comedy of Errors, by the loving Juliet and Adriana, respectively. For instance, both have leading ladies in which their love lives are a mess, all discombobulated and awry. However, the similarities are coupled with many deviations as well, for between these two, sometimes these two ladies are as dissimilar as night and day. But although one is wise beyond her years, the other quick to make conclusions and jealous, these women both are major motivators in their respective stories.

First and foremost, they both are eminent characters. Juliet is the driving force in her show, for without her, there would be no conflict, no action, nothing to keep the reader interested. She, the title character, is pivotal to frame of the story itself, for without her, the play would simply be a document of the life of an angsty, whiny teen boy, Romeo. The same could be said for Adriana, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. She constantly believes that he is cheating on her, always moaning about her woes to her sister, Luciana. And when the confusion between him and his long-lost-twin-brother Antipholus of Ephesus begins, this motivates her even more to entrap her husband. Through many misconstrewn actions against the wrong Antipholus, including a harsh scolding and the hiring of a sorcerer to cure his "madness", she pushes the story along until it is finally revealed that her harsh punishments have led to the revelation of the brotherhood of her husband and his twin from Syracuse. She then naturally forgives her husband and all is well. The exclusion of these two characters would be detrimental to the plays, for without either the stories would crash before they even leave the ground.

But not are they only both prominent, they are confused lovers as well. Juliet was a headstrong, grounded young woman before she met her Romeo. She was always anchored, and thinking things through. But once she was thrown into the throngs of love, the rational thinking flew out the window. She became so enthralled by her forbidden love with Romeo that, after his hasty death, she killed herself as well. For her with love, it was either all or nothing, no matter what. This fate was not deserving, because she had so much more to give, but was cut short due to the conundrum called love. Adriana, on the other hand, was never rational about her relationship with Antipholus of Ephesus. Always fearful of her husbands supposed cheating, she never allowed herself to get close to him, for fear of having her heart broken. At least, in the end, when she realized that she is loved, faithfully, by Antipholus, she tears down her wall of fear and lets her husband in, living a happy life after. However, I do not believe this fate fits her either, for her harshness towards others is too quickly erased. There should have been some repercussions for her actions.

But both, throughout the story, are conflicted with many problems of love, and do not deserve their outcomes, whether they be too tragic or too kind.

But finally, both women were very confidant and self assured. Juliet was always a self confidant girl who believed in all she did. Even when blinded by the love for her Romeo, she still thought that all of actions were justified and true, including her too soon death. The same unwavering self-faith can be applied to Adriana. The absence of proof of Antipholus' cheating did not stop her from berating the man whom she thought was the no-good, unfaithful spouse, or from hiring sorcerer Doctor Pinch to cure him from his "madness". Did she ever have a unstable doubt she was overreacting? No, right until the plays end did she believe all her actions were justified and right. Both of these women are powerful and self confidant, showing Shakespeare's support of women. For through most of his plays are women portrayed as powerful and strong.

As is evident, The characters of Juliet and Adriana are very similar. Not only are they both commanding, central women in their respective plays,and confused by love, they also have an unwavering pride and confidence in themselves and the choices they make. This can be applied to today as well as well, because in everyone their should be a strong sense of self pride. Even if you are confused, whether it be in love or other areas, you should be assured in yourself and trusting of whatever you choose. These plays were written in the 1500's, centuries before us. Yet those timeless ideals are still relevant today, showing how ahead of his time Mr. Shakespeare was. For the characters of Juliet and Adriana are as current as current can be, and shall be for years to come.