Love Story - Taylor Swift Discussion

Discussion Questions: 1. Outline the subject matter of the poem? The subject matter is about the love between Romeo and Juliet, the time they met until they are together again, in the last verse it can be seen their strength of their love, “Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone, I love you and that's all I really know.” 2. Why is the poem entitled “Love Story”? Use evidence from the lyrics to support the titles significance and relevance. The poem is entitled “Love Story” because it follows the meeting of Juliet and Romeo, “We were both young when I first saw you… I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.” These lines account the first time they met when they were younger. Then middle section is all about the times afterwards. The end is the closing of the chapter, ending with a marriage proposal, “Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone.” 3. Describe the relationship between the two characters. Who are they? Romeo and Juliet are to young people that fall in love “at first sight” almost. They get quiet intimate and close to each other over a short period of time. Juliet is the rich girl while Romeo is seen as a rough guy not worthy of her hand. 4. What evidence is there to suggest that these lovers have to overcome obstacles in their relationship? In the line “And my daddy said stay away from Juliet,” it points out in a matter of fact way that her father did not approve of the relationship. This is further proven in the line, “So I sneak out to the garden to see you,” showing that Juliet was not allowed to see Romeo and that she had to secretly see him without her father finding out. These lines show great obstacle in the relationship, having to avoid being caught in order to follow their hearts. 5. What themes and issues are explored in the lyrics and through the video clip? The song and clip “Love Story” explores themes and issues such as love, hope, the support of your family, secrecy and reality of the situation. It explores the power that love has between two people and what they will do to be together, even to secretly meet against the opinion of family. The clip then brings the entire story back to the reality of Taylor’s real life and the love between a boy that she compares her version of Romeo and Juliet to. 6. How does the “Love story” end for Romeo and Juliet in the song? Is this how it ends for the Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Why does Taylor Swift end her song this way? What perspective is she writing from and why would they want the story to end this way? In Taylor’s song “Love Story” it ends with Romeo and Juliet being allowed to be together and get married, however in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet both of the lovers end up dying. Taylor ends her song with them getting together to show that love can prevail and that is a wonderful thing. She makes a happy and cheerful clip that leads to her believing that she can have a happily ever after with her Romeo. She is writing this story from her perspective on the way she wants her love to be like, especially by ending the story with a happy ending as appose to the sad reality of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.