"Love Story" By Taylor Swift Discussion Questions:

Outline the subject matter of the poem?

The subject matter of the poem is a modern version of Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet”. The song outlines young love and the struggles that young people face. The song makes particular reference to the fact that they are using the story of “Romeo and Juliet”. An example of this in the song us the line “'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter, And my daddy said stay away from Juliet. But you were everything to me, I was begging you please don't go”, this is making particular reference to the story line of the original play, as Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers from families that hated each other. For example Juliet says “ My only love has sprung from my only hate.” This is reflected throughout the song aswell.

Why is the poem entitled “Love Story”? Use evidence from the lyrics to support the titles significance and relevance.

The poem is entitled “Love Story”, because it is story that they are telling us about their love and the struggle to get it. Stories always have climax’s and plots and are not always simple, which is a reflection of their love. The line in the poem, “This love is difficult, but it's real, Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess, It's a love story, baby, just say yes”. This line makes particular reference to the fact that it is a love story, but it also shows how they recognize the story when she says, “This love is difficult, but it’s real”.

 Describe the relationship between the two characters.  Who are they?

The two characters are young and in love, they are slightly dramatizing their relationship in a make believe story, however it is still reflecting their true feelings and emotions. An example of their true love is the line in the song, “I love you and that's all I really know”, this line shows how they don't really know what else is happening but they do know that they love each other.

What evidence is there to suggest that these lovers have to overcome obstacles in their relationship?

The lovers have to overcome struggles of status and family as highlighted in the line, “'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter. And my daddy said stay away from Juliet”. There are obviously some issues between their families that are preventing them from being together as her dad tells Romeo to stay away from her. But eventually they work out their issues when he asks her to marry her and he says, “I talked to your dad, you'll pick out a white dress, It's a love story, baby, just say yes”.

What themes and issues are explored in the lyrics and through the video clip?

The theme that is mostly explored throughout the lyrics and video is the theme of forbidden love. The two lovers are not socially accepted together, but they will still do anything to be with each other. “So I sneak out to the garden to see you. We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew, So close your eyes, escape this town for a little while”, this line from the song shows how they are hiding their relationship and how their love is forbidden, but they still love each other enough to stay with it.

How does the “Love story” end for Romeo and Juliet in the song? Is this how it ends for the Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Why does Taylor Swift end her song this way? What perspective is she writing from and why would they want the story to end this way?

“Love Story” ends with them being together happily with all their problems resolved. However this is unlike Shakespeare’s version where they both take their own lives. Taylor Swift wanted to end the story this way to make it a happy story that people would want to listen to. However she is also showing people that things can work out and love does not always have to end tragically. She is offering a nice contrast to Shakespeare version that people might actually relate to.