Italy: Wandering in Romantic Verona, Verona, Italy
Is Verona the most romantic city in the world? The romantic appeal of Shakespeare鈥檚 Romeo and Juliet has always seemed a bit dubious. Young lovers and doomed love; destroyed by fate or unlucky chance. Why would you want to model a relationship on that?
Or is it Juliet鈥檚 challenge to Verona鈥檚 deeply patriarchal society that is the key theme of the tragedy? She resists the marriage her father plans to a man she does not love; instead embracing her sexuality.
There鈥檚 no doubt the聽Italian city聽of Verona milks the whole thing like crazy and it has been designated a聽Unesco World Heritage Site聽but fortunately the city manages the hordes of tourists well, maintaining a genuine charm and liveliness. The shopping streets are glamorous, only slightly marred by Italian builders calling down cheeky comments from their scaffolding.
An Italian folk tale set in Verona was the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.聽It is highly unlikely that Shakespeare ever visited but he did use Verona鈥檚 longstanding romantic reputation to excellent effect in both this and his earlier work The Two Gentlemen of Verona. In the heart of the Middle Ages two factions struggled for power in northern and central Italy. The Guelphs supported the Pope while the Ghibellines were the party for imperial control. Families allied themselves fiercely to one or the other side. Added to the political mix was Verona鈥檚 reputation for hot summer weather; likely to ignite violence and passion: 鈥渢he mad blood stirring鈥�. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Or is it Juliet鈥檚 challenge to Verona鈥檚 deeply patriarchal society that is the key theme of the tragedy? She resists the marriage her father plans to a man she does not love; instead embracing her sexuality.
There鈥檚 no doubt the聽Italian city聽of Verona milks the whole thing like crazy and it has been designated a聽Unesco World Heritage Site聽but fortunately the city manages the hordes of tourists well, maintaining a genuine charm and liveliness. The shopping streets are glamorous, only slightly marred by Italian builders calling down cheeky comments from their scaffolding.
An Italian folk tale set in Verona was the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.聽It is highly unlikely that Shakespeare ever visited but he did use Verona鈥檚 longstanding romantic reputation to excellent effect in both this and his earlier work The Two Gentlemen of Verona. In the heart of the Middle Ages two factions struggled for power in northern and central Italy. The Guelphs supported the Pope while the Ghibellines were the party for imperial control. Families allied themselves fiercely to one or the other side. Added to the political mix was Verona鈥檚 reputation for hot summer weather; likely to ignite violence and passion: 鈥渢he mad blood stirring鈥�. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Italy: Wandering in Romantic Verona
Guide Location: Italy » Verona
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Natasha Von Geldern
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Italy » Verona
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Natasha Von Geldern
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Casa di Giulietta
- Monastery of the Capucins
- Basilica of San Zeno
- Church of San Anastasia
- Giardino Giusti
- Piazza delle Erbe
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