Comparison and Contrast between "Sonezakishinnjuu" and "Romeo and Juliet" On Elements of Tragedy

• Main Authors: Chun-Ju Chang, 張君如
• Other Authors: Ming-Tzu Chen
• Format: Others
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/56645609661397862794

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 日本語文學研究所 === 100 === Romeo and Juliet is a one of the best-known masterpieces created by Shakespeare. In Japanese literature, there is a similar work, Sonezakishinnjuu, written by the celebreated Edo-period playwright Chikamatsumonnzaemonn. Although we do have a great number of studies on the two works respectively, it is a pity that only a few studies were done on comparing and contrasting the two works. The two works not only resemble in the plots, but they also share other points in common. For example, both the two works did not come from the originality of the authors. They are created based on their “originals” － a true story and a poem. Therefore, in the thesis, I would like to do the research on the two authors, and compare the two works with their originals in order to probe the intentions of the authors. Furthermore, I would also compare and contrast the two works to determine what leads to the double-suicide of the protagonists. As for the details, such as how the protagonists are shaped and how the beginning and the end function in the plays, would also be one of my thesis topics too. At first sight, one might consider the two works extremely similar; however, due to the differences between eastern and western cultures, there must be many differences. Therefore, when doing the research, I would also take the context, the backgrounds into consideration so as to pinpoint the causes that bring about the tragedy, and also to get the message the two authors have been trying to deliver.