Answer :
Final answer:
The similarity between the characters Paris in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and the Paris in Homer's "Iliad" may not be coincidental. Shakespeare could have intended to evoke certain associations by naming his character after one from classic literature, a common literary technique to enrich narrative depth.
Explanation:
The question concerns the potential intentional similarity between Shakespeare's character Paris in "Romeo and Juliet" and the character Paris represented in Homer's Iliad. Given that both works are classics of Western literature—Shakespeare's from the early modern period and Homer's from classical antiquity—it is plausible that Shakespeare might have drawn inspiration from earlier texts, including the Iliad. Paris of the Iliad is known for his role in the events leading to the Trojan War, particularly the abduction of Helen, which was incited by his judgment in the divine contest of beauty. He is viewed as beautiful but his actions led to great conflict. Shakespeare's Paris, a suitor to Juliet, also plays a role in the conflict, albeit indirectly, by adding pressure on Juliet to engage in a marriage she does not want. Additionally, comparative mythology shows that authors often borrow themes and character archetypes across cultures and eras.
It is important to note that reusing names and character traits is a common literary technique to evoke certain associations or themes. The use of the name Paris in both the Iliad and "Romeo and Juliet" may reflect a shared concept of a character whose actions, whether directly or indirectly, escalate conflict. By referencing an audience-familiar name from classical literature, Shakespeare may have been leveraging their existing connotations to enrich his own characters and themes.
