Open Prompt #2

1973. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.

            Endings are the most important part of a piece of literature, it's like the dessert of a 5-course meal, and if it's disappointing your whole meal is ruined.  The same mind set is applied to literature, a bad ending can leave a reader puzzled and upset.  Some novels and plays do intentionally have an incomplete ending, and sometimes it works and sometimes it's a disaster.  Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been acknowledged to be one of the greatest plays of all time, but it has an abrupt and different ending, but I believe this ending appropriately concludes the play.

            Shakespeare veered away from the usual "happily ever after" ending and that decision gave his play a lot of attention.  By ending the play with both Romeo and Juliet dying the reader initially was shocked and maybe even sad, but when the reader gets over the initial shock they can see the ending did a lot of good things.  First of all it leads to the Capulet and Montague houses getting along and it also adds some irony.  When their children die the two families agree to get along as a way to honor their children, but at the end the two families compete over who will build the better grave for their child.  It's also ironic that when Romeo and Juliet wanted their families to get along they didn't, but after they were gone then their families respected their wish.  This ending added some literary methods to the play as well as allowing it to be set apart from the usual sappy endings.

            Shakespeare's unfortunate ending to the play Romeo and Juliet added the theme of violence and destruction usually ignited by love or passion.  This is demonstrated throughout the play especially when Romeo and Juliet betray their respective houses because of their love for each other.  The ending of the play is the most important example of this.  Romeo and Juliet both kill themselves because they believe their loved one is dead.  Without this ending this theme wouldn't be as noticeable.  

            Another theme that's present in this play is family, and the ending of the play emphasizes the effect family can have on love.  It was no secret that the Montague's and Capulet's hated each other and at first this conflict wasn't a huge deal.  As the play goes on and Romeo and Juliet realize how strong their love for each other is this family conflict comes in the way.  In the end their family conflict led them to make a plan to escape and when that plan went bad it led them to kill themselves.  Juliet's family pushing her to marry another man and their family's not getting along led to their unfortunate deaths.  This ending emphasizes the effects of family, and what they can lead you to do.

            Shakespeare's ending contributes to his play Romeo and Juliet, and because of it the play became a literary masterpiece.  His unique ending supported the theme of love and violence, and family all while straying away from the usual "happily ever after"ending.