The Soundtrack to Tragedy

The Soundtrack to Tragedy

Music is the universal language of mankind.

Henry Wadsworth

Music is a phenomenon. While many listen for simple enjoyment, they fail to realize the benefits of listening to music. It reduces stress and anxiety, decreases pain, improves immune functioning, aids memory, and helps when exercising. Most importantly, music enhances the human experience while stimulating emotions and creating memories.

The music which Romeo and Juliet listened to is quite different from music of today. In a blending of cultures, you will create amodern dayplaylist or soundtrack for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Requirements

A song /an Act

(partners do 2 songs each and either a 3rd song together or a cover design together; singletons do either 3 songs or 2 songs
with a cover design)

One paragraph per song, explaining the choice
Optional cover design and tagline that underscores a theme/motif (see above)

Track #1-SAMPLE

Scene / Quote / Song and Artist
Romeo Sneaking Around in the Garden, Seeing Juliet
Act II, Scene ii / “Two of the fairest stars in all the heavens having some business do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres til they return. What if eyes were there and they in her head?” (II, ii, ) / Just the Way You Are
- Bruno Mars
The sentiment behind Romeo’s soliloquy before the Balcony Scene inherently inspires Bruno Mars’ song entitled, Just the Way You Are. While lurking in the bushes, Romeo focuses on different features of Juliet’s face: her eyes, her lips, her cheeks. Bruno Mars also completes a catalogue of all of his love’s features: her eyes, her hair, her smile. Romeo specifically discusses Juliet’s eyes as “two of the fairest stars in all the heavens” as Bruno Mars also denotes that “her eyes make the stars look like they aren’t shining.” In doing so, both Romeo and Bruno Mars share the sentiment of falling in love. They are both truly amazed by the spectacular beauty of their loves. However, they both fail to address the personality of said person while comparing them to the beauty of the stars. This demonstrates that both men are taken by looks, rather than the intelligence and personality of either of their ladies. This is a problem both in Romeo and Juliet and in society, making this song perfect for this scene.

See Google Classroom-as this will be handed in electronically only.

RUBRIC/MY COMMENTS

Track #1