Katniss and Peeta: The Future Juliet and Romeo?

“Throughout the first novel of the series, the couple becomes known as the star-crossed lovers of District Twelve after Peeta fesses up his love for Katniss in a pre-Hunger Games interview“ (Alvey 69). Everyone is gravitated to them and their story. “The star-crossed lovers have the same appeal that the star-crossed lovers of Verona have. A bit of danger mixed with the absurdity of their relationships” (Alvey 69). They both use this strategy to keep the Capitol sponsors (and all other viewers) wrapped around their fingers. They’re even able to change the rules of the game! It is announced about two-thirds of the way in the Games that “both Tributes from the same district will be declared winners if they are the last two alive” (Collins 244). Katniss and Peeta go through the remainder of the Games doing all they can to keep each other alive. At the end, they are the only two left.

That’s when things turn for the worst. Another announcement is made saying that the “earlier revision has been revoked…only one winner will be allowed” (Collins 342). Katniss takes out some Nightlock (poisonous berries) that she had saved for another’s Tribute’s demise. She puts some in Peeta’s hand, saying that they do not deserve a victor for what they have put the two of them through. “Katniss and Peeta decide to kill themselves with poisonous berries. That sounds strangely familiar. Didn't some other couple of star- crossed lovers attempt to do the same thing? Granted Romeo had the poison and Juliet had a dagger, but the resemblance [is there]” (Alvey 70).  All four of these people would rather die than go on living without the one whom they deeply cared for. “In that moment death is their only escape” (Alvey 70). Fortunately for Katniss and Peeta, it did not ultimately come to their demise, but they were prepared and willing to lose everything but each other.

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Source:

Alvey, J. (2012). Everdene and Everdeen: Allusions within Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. Kentucky English Bulletin, 62(1), 69-71. Retrieved from http://navigatorclarion.passhe.edu/loginurl=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=84331009&site=eds-live&scope=site