The stories of Romeo and Juliet and Pyramus and Thisbe both talk of young lovers willing to be together no matter what the consequences may be. The love between the two couples was so strong that they were would die for their lovers. Although, the sequence of events that lead to the tragic endings of these stories have their differences as well. Ovid's story of Pyramus and Thisbe came out a little before Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Many believe because of the similarities in plot, Shakespeare's sources or influences for his story could have came from 'Pyramus and Thisbe'. In the stories, there are many similarities as there are differences. Star crossed lovers is a phrase we would use to describe both of the
Something to add on to that thought is the fact that Romeo was with another women before Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Not only that but Juliet was going to marry another man before Romeo came along. I think this adds on to the ridiculousness of love at first sight. Unlike Pyramus and Thisbe where no one interfered besides their parents. The pair only had each other and no one came before that. In addition to the way Shakespeare could have felt about love, body’s were thrown left and right in his story. The deaths of some of the characters seemed only to be needed for conflict. For me, it took away the importance and sorrow of Romeo and Juliet’s death. The question is, was it intentional of the author? Whereas, Pyramus and Thisbe being the only characters dying adds on to the significance of there love and even makes it more emotional. The only thing in memorial for Romeo and Juliet after their deaths were gold statues of themselves placed next to each other. A statue would not last forever and at some point in time it would not exist. Pyramus and Thisbe were cremated and their ashes were put together in the same urn. Ashes could never be separated, therefore, Pyramus and Thisbe are literally together forever. Also, a mulberry tree with white berries turned red and remained that way forever in memorial of Pyramus and Thisbe. This seems