Tag Archives: Romeo and Juliet

Dr. Campo leads Romeo and Juliet discussion at the Library

Photo: Daniel McCullum. Written by Harold Henkel, Associate Librarian

In a slightly early celebration of Valentines’ Day, Dr. Carlos Campo led a discussion of Romeo and Juliet for the Library Book Club on February 9th. Fifty students, faculty, and staff from Regent and CBN turned out to enjoy Dr. Campo’s trademark erudition and humor.

In an introduction to his mini-lecture on Rome and Juliet, Dr. Campo gave an overview of the life and career of William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon and invited any Oxfordians among the audience to make an appointment should they wish to make their case.

Dr. Campo, who holds a Ph.D. in English with a specialization in drama, taught literature and theatre for many years, and this dual emphasis was apparent in his illumination of the play. In discussing Act II, scene ii (the “balcony” scene), for example, Dr. Campo pointed to some often overlooked lines near the end of the scene that exemplify Shakespeare’s mimetic power:

Juliet At what o’clock to-morrow
Shall I send to thee?

Romeo At the hour of nine.

Juliet I will not fail; ’tis twenty years till then.
I have forgot why I did call thee back.

Romeo Let me stand here till thou remember it.

Juliet I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,
Remembering how I love thy company.

Romeo And I’ll still stay, to have thee still forget,
Forgetting any other home but this.

(II.ii.182-191)

The crucial verb in this exchange is “forget.” So overcome with love for Romeo is Juliet that she forgets why she called him back to the balcony. Yet, “I have forgot [my lines]” is something no good actor should ever say! By making this inside joke to fellow members of the acting profession, Shakespeare also underscores the extraordinary naturalism of his depiction of romantic love.

Historic Shakespeare documents from the Library's Special CollectionsTo enhance the event, Library archivist Don Gantz arranged a display of historic Shakespeare editions and lithographs from the Library’s Special Collections.

Click here to view a video of this event.

For information on upcoming Library Book Club events, contact Harold Henkel at 352-4198 or harohen@regent.edu.

Library to Host Romeo and Juliet Film Marathon

Olivia Hussey as Juliet, 1968Written by Leanne Hillery, Associate Librarian

Friday, February 12, 2010
11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Library Exhibit Area

On Friday, February 12th the Library will follow-up on our discussion of Romeo and Juliet with a marathon screening of four classic and modern adaptations of the play:

Dr. Campo to lead discussion of Romeo and Juliet on February 9th

Romeo and Juliet (1884), Thomas Francis DickseeWritten by Harold Henkel, Associate Librarian

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep: The more I give to thee
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Just in time for Saint Valentine’s Day this year, treat yourself to a re-read of the most powerful depiction of romantic love in Western literature. In February, Dr. Carlos Campo will lead a discussion of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at the University Library. Dr. Campo holds a Ph.D. in English with a drama emphasis and taught English and theatre for many years at the College of Southern Nevada, Dove College, and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Approaching Romeo and Juliet as both literature and drama, Dr. Campo is an exceptionally qualified guide to Shakespeare’s most popular play.

Like the Bible, Shakespeare ought to be read and reread over a lifetime, both for wisdom and for the peculiar joy that comes from the experience of a difficult pleasure. If you have wanted to become re-acquainted with the bard for some time, take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy Dr. Campo’s expertise (and humor) as he leads our conversation of Shakespeare’s most accessible masterpiece.

The discussion of Romeo and Juliet will take place in the Library on Tuesday, February 9th at 12:00. For more information on this and other Library literature events, contact Harold Henkel at 352-4198 or harohen@regent.edu.