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Noa and Mae as Romeo and Juliet Theory

If Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is inspired by Hamlet, then to keep the story feeling like Shakespeare, the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sequels could take inspiration from Romeo and Juliet.

(NOTE: I already made a post about this theory right after the movie first came out, but after months of discussing this theory with others, I wanted to update it with some of my newer thoughts and ideas).

Remember, this is just a fun theory!

First I will explain how Dawn is similar to Hamlet, using other movies as examples and their sequels.

Then I will discuss character similarities, like Raka as Friar Lawrence.

I will then talk about how Romeo and Juliet works with the themes of Planet of the Apes.

And I will share an interview with Wes Ball where he talks about "Shakespearean stuff" in the sequels.

Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet in Planet of the Apes

In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Lion King, and Black Panther, a rightful king or heir is killed by an evil uncle, cousin, or family member. This always results in them falling off a very high cliff for some reason.

Everyone thinks they're dead, the evil relative takes power, and everything kinda sucks. There is not enough food in the Pride Lands under Scar's rule. Killmonger burns the heart-shaped herbs. Koba leads the apes to war against the humans.

The rightful ruler spends time in exile, recovering from their wounds and trauma. They might even get a visit or have a recollection of their dead father.

Then the rightful ruler comes back from the dead, challenges the usurper, and takes his rightful place upon the throne. Now let's take a quick look at their sequels, hehe.

The Lion King 2 and Wakanda Forever are loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. Wakanda Forever is also based on Hades and Persephone by the way!

Like the Montagues and Capulets, we got two rival kingdoms. The Pridelanders and the Outsiders. Wakanda and Talokan.

The two heirs/rulers from both kingdoms meet, and they don't trust each other at first, but they start to have compassion for the other.

Kiara and Kovu fall in love. Namor and Shuri don't fall in love, but Shuri begins to show compassion after he shows her his kingdom.

(Side note: There is this interview with one of the movie editors about a romantic subplot between Shuri and Namor being removed, but it was later clarified the comments in the interview were taken out of context. But I digress!)

Namor and Shuri are also based on Persephone and Hades, who are a couple in Greek mythology. Hades kidnaps Persephone and brings her to the underworld. Namor kidnaps Shuri and takes her to his underwater kingdom.

So Romeo and Juliet, Hades and Persephone...they're based on romantic couples.

There are losses on both sides. Kovu's brother is killed going after Simba. One of Namor's people is killed. Shuri's mother, Queen Ramonda, is killed by Namor's attack on Wakanda.

This escalates the situation. Things get worse.

In the end, both pairs are able to bring the fighting between their people to a stop. The Outsiders are welcomed into Simba's pride, and the Wakandans and people of Talokan stop fighting after seeing their leaders return together.

Character Similarities

So Noa and Mae would be Romeo and Juliet for obvious reasons. Romeo and Juliet's deaths brought the feud between their families to an end. Noa and Mae could bridge the gap between apes and humans and help achieve coexistence.

But now I want to talk about Raka!

He's Friar Lawrence!

Friar Lawrence is wise, optimistic, and religious.

We see this with Raka already. He is religious and is a follower of the Order of Caesar. He's also a little too optimistic, believing apes and humans once lived side by side, but we know this isn't true.

Friar Lawrence believes Romeo and Juliet's marriage will unite their Houses in the eyes of God and end the feud between the two families.

Caesar is pretty much God for the apes. Raka says since humans were important to Caesar, he must show compassion and teach them.

Even his last words to Noa and Mae are "Together strong." NOT "Apes together strong," but "TOGETHER strong."

He believes humans and apes, or at least Noa and Mae, are stronger together. This stems from him being a member of the Order of Caesar and because he believes it's what Caesar would want.

Back to The Lion King 2. Rafiki would be the Friar as well. He gets a message from Mufasa (Caesar/God) about how Kiara and Kovu getting together would unite the two sides.

"Kovu...Kiara...together?"

"Together...strong."

I see Anaya being Mercutio.

Mercutio is Romeo's friend. He's very witty, making jokes all the time. (Seriously, read the play. He doesn't stop, lol). His death is what leads to Romeo killing Tybalt.

Anaya is definitely the jokester in his friend group. If Anaya is Mercutio though, poor guy. Hope he goes down swinging!

Romeo and Juliet Themes

Both sides realize they're the same and to not let hate cloud their judgement.

As Kiara says to her father Simba, "A wise king once told me we are one. Look at them. They are us. What differences do you see?"

This reminds me of when Caesar tells his son, "I always think ape better than human. I see now how much like them we are."

In Planet of the Apes, the apes are a mirror to humanity. We the audience see ourselves in them, and the characters must come to the realization that they're not opposites, but the same.

It's about love and compassion over hate and violence.

"But don't Romeo and Juliet die in the end?" They do, but just like how The Lion King 2 and Wakanda Forever had different endings, it doesn't mean Noa and Mae have to die. West Side Story, another Romeo and Juliet retelling, has Tony die, but not Maria.

Here's to hoping for a happier ending for Noa and Mae, though!

And to top it all off, here's a clip of an interview with Wes Ball where he talks about "Shakespearean stuff" for the sequel.

“The relationship that these two characters [Noa and Mae] have with each other is going to be crucial for what comes at them in the future.

“Whatever exists between them, is that going to be enough to stop terrible things from happening? Or is it going to be the cause of terrible things to happen? I think there’s going to be a lot of great drama, you know, classic Shakespearean stuff.”

Shakespearean stuff, you say?

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