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Romeo's Ex

Rosaline's Story
crankylibrarian
Sep 19, 2011crankylibrarian rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
One of the better "reimaginings-of-Shakespeare-from-the-viewpoint-of-a-marginalized-female-character" genre. I always wondered what happened to Rosaline. She was clearly smarter than Romeo, ("O, she well knew thy love did read by rote, that could not spell".) I had this fantasy that while R&J were embracing the "love-devouring death" thang, Rosaline was secretly reconnoitering with Benvolio. Think about it: they are the only clear-eyed, level headed rationalists in a play full of melodrama queens. Why else is Ben so eager to put Romeo off Rosaline, yet so determined to crash the Capulet party? What are Ben and Roz up to while R&J are having their big meet-cute? Where the heck is the Nurse between the 3 hours when she leaves to find Romeo, ("the clock struck 9 when I did send the Nurse") and when she arrives, ("The bawdy hand of the dial is on the prick of noon")? Was she doing double duty, setting up an assignation between Rosaline and Benvolio perhaps? Lisa Fiedler was clearly thinking along the same lines. Her Roz is a wanna-be "healer", (the only plausible career choice for your anachronistic, proto-feminist heroine). Romeo's rhyme-by-numbers love ditties don't thrill her, but Benvolio, a 21st century metrosexual in 13th century tights totally "gets" her. They may not speak in sonnets, but he fully respects her as an independent and self-actualized equal, with boundaries and a need for space; no stabbing or poison required. It may not be Shakespeare, but as a role model for teen girls, it ain't half bad.