Romeo and Juliet. Anthony and Cleopatra. Samson and Delilah.
Just what is it about these star-crossed lovers — whose names and stories continue to resonate among us — that inspires poets and chroniclers to immortalize their tales in song and memorable prose long after their bones had turned to dust? And what is it about these couples that makes us empathize and marvel at their plight?
I'm sure there must have been thousands of lovers who have loved just as passionately before and after these pairs have left their mark in the human imagination. Everyday you meet couples whose quiet and enduring devotion could be just as intense and touching, and yet you don't hear or read about them.
A possible explanation? How about the potent combination of power, looks, social position, and above all a poignant and heart-tugging story. Go ask yourself — if you were a poet or a budding troubadour in search of a worthy subject, and Cleopatra had been a common weaver, Samson a scrawny sailor, or Juliet a struggling widow in her thirties, would you still consider their tales fascinating?
In short, it is due largely to their unique circumstances that these remarkable individuals were able to inspire people to identify with their emotional dilemmas. (Rather similar to the way we lap up details of the romantic exploits of modern-day celebrities.)
And to seal matters further, they all fit the bill of having stature-defining moments, the stuff of which timeless reputations are made: a dramatic death scene (Romeo and Juliet did theirs with flair; Cleopatra staged her own dramatic exit), a memorable line or two, and remarkable feats (Samson destroying the temple of the Philistines after he regained his strength).
The more I think about it though, the more I get convinced that it all has something to do with having a great press coverage. True, there weren't paparazzi or celebrity magazines during those days. But just consider who their press agents were.
Romeo and Juliet and Anthony and Cleopatra found a worthy minstrel in william shakespeare, who embellished their stories and turned them into superb plays. Samson and Delilah? Well, they got featured in the Bible, didn't they?
I guess you’re right. I wouldn’t be that interested in Cleopatra either if I knew that she was a common weaver and not the queen (does anyone know what the female word for pharaoh is?) of Egypt.
That reminds me of what the character Monique said to Gian of Princess Hours. She told Gian about Romeo having another love before Juliet. When Romeo saw Juliet he fell in love at first sight and forgot about his first love. The girl’s name was “Rosinda.”
Haha guess the saying isn’t true that guys keep their first love in their hearts.. xD Grabe, I’ve never watched Romeo and Juliet before but if it’s the same story featured in “Gemini,” a song sung by Sponge Cola, then I don’t think it’ll ever make it to my top favorite love stories 
.
what makes them memorable is the tragedy that in the end, they all died. just like this one movie, i like “Love me if you Dare”. they both died when the entire story revolved around how many mishaps they had with letting the other person know that they love each other. how awful. i hope that doesn’t happen to anyone i know or to me.
Posted by Cheska at February 23, 2007, 12:50 am@alvin, you were born to become a celebrity your current lifestyle is a shining proof of that. the question — who will be your Significant Other? abangan!
@reishin: Romeo & Juliet is a classic tragic love story (plus shakespeare is one heck of a storyteller). it doesn’t have a happy ending but it sure tugs at your heartstrings though
@cheska: yeah, they died tragically, but i like to think that they all went down with their guns blazing. it makes you wonder what your choice would be if you were in their shoes:
1. live life fully, exuberantly and unrepentantly for a few intense moments, knowing the price you’d likely pay, OR
2. lead a sedate, conventional existence (never knowing the highs and lows of having loved so outrageously) with ’safe’ choices
I appreciate it man. Yes, I can’t wait to find the ONE.
However, someone made a comment in my latest entry that I’m egotistic, narcissistic, ugly and insecure… huhuhu
I sent her an invitation so she can see how hideous I really look in person.
hey, i just read that comment. that surprised me, to say the least. here’s something that might console you just a bit.
“envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings, and not your own.”
– harold coffin.
at least you left her comment intact. that shows forbearance and emotional maturity on your part.
Posted by onyxx at February 23, 2007, 10:43 pmExactly what all my friends told me…
I don’t have any problems with criticisms thats why I approved his/her comment. It’s part of life. I’m not going out of my way to prove anything to anyone.
Anyway, thank you for everything. I really appreciate it. Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers!
Power — working on it
Looks —- check! check! check! Haha! Walang kokontra!
Social position —- working on it (I must ask Gretchen how she did it. Nah, I don’t have to; everybody knows)
Poignant and heart-tugging story — gosh, my love story is as boring as is gets…
Worthy minstrel — even Xerex X. wouldn’t find it interesting enough (uh, there were a few times…but let’s keep this clean, okay?)
heheh, pseudoshrink i didn’t know you were aiming for this title as well…
Posted by onyxx at February 27, 2007, 5:23 pmanother lost soul hopelessly adrift in the confines of blogosphere
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I agree with you that these couples were celebrated because of their unique circumstances…
Posted by alvin at February 22, 2007, 6:24 pmThis is one of my greatest dreams, to go down in history as the greatest lover of my generation… hahahaha Who knows? Alvin and _______!