“A Rose by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Romeo, a Montague, is concerned that Juliet is from the house of Capulet. In fact, this entire tragedy has as its focal point the hatred between two families which makes the courtship and eventual marriage of these two lovers disastrous. Just because this rose (Juliet) is a Capulet, she still smells as sweet as any other rose. What a dilemma!
The novel and play West Side Story borrows upon this theme but using a Puerto Rican Maria and a white American Tony as the counterparts to Juliet and Romeo.
This theme of what’s in a name or category or color or nationality seems to be universal. Humans have been struggling with this from time immemorial.
Consider: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Written as a children’s rhyme to combat taunting from other children, this rhyme has protected many of us from the cruel words of others.
On the other hand, consider: “Words are like weapons; they wound sometimes.” These lyrics from Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” definitely take on a different stance from the children’s nursery rhyme from above.
So, which is it about the power of words?
As an experiment, I spoke to my dog telling him he is the ugliest and worst dog in the whole world. Because he knows that I love him and I say those awful words in the sweetest manner, his tail is wagging and he is all over me in joy.
Hmmm? From this experiment with a dog who has a limited understanding of words, obviously, the words do not “wound” him. However, when my wife heard me telling the dog how terrible and ugly he is, she was abhorred, telling me that I was hurting his feelings.
In society, certain words seem to be taboo in particular the “N” word, yet in rap songs and in daily life, you will hear African-Americans using this term to each other. Many white people cannot seem to understand why, when they use it, it becomes so offensive. Just with the insults hurled at the dog, the dog knows I love him and has a great relationship with me. It does not matter what I say to the dog. It is how I treat him.
Just as with Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria, African-Americans and whites, we will never build a relationship to live happily ever after unless the other person, family, ethnic group, or nationality knows that we love them and want a relationship.
When I was a kid, we were not allowed to use the word “fart.” We called it a “safety” instead. Now, regardless of the name. it still stunk!
