In the concluding stanza the narrator, in some people's eyes, may seem to become overly mushy, cheesy, and even 'emo'. The sappiness coalesced with the mention of death fits the stereotypical emo-like song. However, I feel this song is not emo at all, but is a deep and thoughtful song with a lot more meaning.
This final stanza seems to be analagous with the lovers who are the epitome of everything pertaining to young love and passion, Romeo and Juliet. He is professing to her an undying love. He is expressing his commitment to her and how they have so much more than the average relationship. The narrator, swears upon nothing of variable nature like the moon, but he swears upon himself, as Juliet had asked Romeo:
Juliet: O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, who monthly changes in her circled orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
Romeo: What shall I swear by?
Juliet: Do not swear at all. Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee.
The narrator also mentions the cherub face of his love which is another parallel to Romeo and Juliet. He is saying her beauty is eternal and even in death her beauty will not fade.
(As Romeo looks upon Juliet whom he believes to be dead, Romeo notices she still has a beautiful color) Romeo: beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there.
He mentions in the final stanza about a 'goosebump infested embrace.' In the end tragic story of Romeo and Juliet the lovebirds die in each others arms. The goosebumps could be reference to a number of things: they could be induced from being with the one the girl he loves, the nerves of preparing to die, or more literal because the body becomes cold when dead and in Romeo and Juliet one dies before the other and lying against the lifeless lover could literally bring chills. But no matter the intentions of the narrator it becomes evident that this stanza, and possibly the entire song, relates to Romeo and Juliet. This is Romeo's final line as he bids farewell to Juliet with a kiss and just before he takes the poison:
Romeo: Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death!
In conclusion, the narrator is expressing how if he could choose the manner of his death it would be like that of Romeo and Juliet. He would want to be embracing his love. To him it would be perfect to not only live but die in similar fashion as Romeo and Juliet who are the essence of endearment and the embodiment of everlasting love no matter how adverse the circumstances.
1 comment:
goddamn, you won this argument. ha. i really think you are right with the references to romeo and juliet. I wouldnt agree more and i like how you used dialogue from that play to explain the lyrics of So Much
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