An Essay on "Mademoiselle Juliette"

[Jazzmin]

An Essay on Mademoiselle Juliette

Romeo and Juliet's "randez-vous", their "mots d'amour", their mutual infatuation and fascination - that is all romantic, I do not deny it. Yet... we all know how this story ends, don't we? And when the lovers choose to decease, they are far from well-behaved role models. They are morbidly soulful, Romeo does not learn the truth until it is too late, they are too immagine to imagine life does not end with your first love's death, thus, I do not intend to judge them harshly, all I state for is that their deed is not as heroic as the popculture claims. By their suicides, they perpetrate the grief of their families, not to omit that Romeo and Juliet's sadness would weaken with passing time were they to excogigate for a while; the youngsters have their whole lives before them and they cut the laces of them way too early.

Believe it or not, but Romeos and Juliets still live now, in the 21st century. One Juliet I have recently heard of fortunately did not succeed in killing herself. She attempted to, though.

Adolescent fascination with one's first love is of no condemnation. On the other hand, death, especially suicide, is never jolly. We should not close our eyes to the mischief in order to bear it but for God's sake, let us not glamorize it.

After my little gloomy introduction, it is time to begin with the very interpretation. Don't you worry, Alizée's version of Juliet's situation is lighter and brighter.

Alizée's Juliet is, of course, in love. (How could it be any else? Would we call her "Juliet" then!?) The meaning of her "syndrome de l'amour" is rather clear but it is for the little word "joli" that provokes thoughts. I can see two possible ways to interprete this one. As irony: the love causes much trouble. It meets the resistance of their families and, as I already said, the consequences are not fairly. In the song the line can be a way of laughing off the conventional understanding of the story.

However, it may also refer to the story created not by Shakespeare, yet by Juliet. She is undoubtly clever to notice her life is directed by a man who does not even inhabit in her world. She is not in charge of her own fate, being yet another Shakespearean character. Well, if only her fate were satisfactory! But no, the writer would gladly have her suffer just to receive an interesting play and delights in playing tricks on her.

Why, now it is highest time she played tricks on him. Dear Mr. Shakespeare, thy muse may have sent thee the enlightment yet hast thou asked Miss Capulet what her desire is?

What Juliet desires is "faire la fête, champagne á sabrer coke á décapsuler". She is not fond of loving too much and passing away too young. She, like a great many of her peers, would like to relax after everyday stress. She does not find the orginal drama plot attractive. Feting, in contrary, does not hurt her relatives like suicide or separation would. As long as she does not lose control, why should she not practice "carpe diem"?

As any other human being, she likes to feel good. Substances raising up her mood? Why not! Alcohol lets her have fun, cocaine as well - she takes them then because they are what she needs. Or maybe the "coke" means just that innocent carbonated beverage...

There it comes - Juliet takes over the control. She has decided not to be put in any play. She knows what she wants and wants to be herself.

The song calls the Shakespearean drama a "commedia dell'arte". You know what is going to happen and the characters roles are uncluttered. They all wear conspicuous masks so that you have no problems with recognizing them.

Alizée's lyrics obviously play with the meaning of the word "le drame". Juliet disapproves William's tragedy (a "drama"). Paradoxically, she makes "drama", which means, she causes William's troubles. Double meaning!

My point is not to be an applause to "partying" but rather to show such a lifestyle is a much better option than a tragedy. Miss Juliet does not any harm to anybody by relaxing from time to time. Actually, it might be even beneficial to her mental health. This time, the glorious archetype finally has a chance to be a normal girl.

[outlaw]

I remeber hearing that. I was like..WHOA! Entirely something new and completly different. Felt really out-of-the box like. This time around it was ALIZEES ideas and her ways.

[Shepherd]

The heads of the Montagues and the Capulets are men. The lyric read: "Juliet really doesn't have the head to choose between Montegue and Capulet. She really no longer has the head for crying about Monteague and Capulet." She doesn't have the head to choose between one man or the other. The only man in the video is left by himself outside begging. Juliet is escorted inside by a mystery woman. Inside there are only women, and Juliet dances with the women. In the end we are left with the mystery woman. Is it possible that mystery woman is Tal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUXWgmEvE8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g&list=PLexxgA5CTmOFQxgpUqGzpLiAlUDl7ar3J

[Jazzmin]

Shephard, the music video is yet another story. Of course, I DO think it's of importance but I just was not patient enough to include this in my humble essay xD . I kind of plan to write "Part II", about my interpretation of the video but hell knows how long it'll take.

For short, I think that illustration adds things not included in the lyrics. For instance IMHO they do not reveal anything sexual but in the video Juliet stands her Romeo up so that she can taste some more girly company. The mystery woman is her guide. It is the other half of Juliet, the darker and more unpredictable one. Maybe the part that Julie had not wished to reveal, she did not allow herself thoughts like this. (That's why the character wears a mask and does not put it off till the very end... however, the viewer still cannot see her face!) The symbolism is like of the "Psychédélices" cover - showing the "normal", displayable side of a girl and the other, more tempting (the cake ;) ).

[Shepherd]

My comments weren't meant as a criticism of your essay. They were, if anything, an additional angle. One can interpret the video as an artistic work apart from anything personal about Alizee as I would expect most people to do. That's the way I first interpreted the video, but after seeing the other two videos that I included, it struck me that "Mademoiselle Juliette" might be a very personal statement.

So what are your thoughts on the other two videos that I included? The second video listed below suggest--not a subject--but a theme that Alizee is repeating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g

[Fall]

In the end we are left with the mystery woman. Is it possible that mystery woman is Tal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUXWgmEvE8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g&list=PLexxgA5CTmOFQxgpUqGzpLiAlUDl7ar3J

Well the music video is from the Psych era, late 2007 while Tal has only been "active" since 2009. According to Wikipedia anyways.
I don't think you were trying to say the mystery woman is actually Tal, but it couldn't be her figuratively anyway.

But interesting views guys! Thanks for sharing :)

[Lucas]

...Juliet stands her Romeo up so that she can taste some more girly company. The mystery woman is her guide. It is the other half of Juliet, the darker and more unpredictable one. Maybe the part that Julie had not wished to reveal, she did not allow herself thoughts like this. (That's why the character wears a mask and does not put it off till the very end... however, the viewer still cannot see her face!) The symbolism is like of the "Psychédélices" cover - showing the "normal", displayable side of a girl and the other, more tempting (the cake ;) ).

You pointed things, which I wanted to point :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1a/Alizee_psychedelices.jpg

I remember like Alizée talked what should mean this cover. It should represent two Alizée. The left an adult Alizée, the right still the childish girl what she was (is). Except the cover, the whole album has the both sides.

Now back to MJ video. Again, there are two Alizée - the mystery black lady, and of course our sweet Alizée in nice rose dress. But what is the meaning of the clip? A think, the everything after the balcony scene should be like a view to the "future" or something similar. Easily the black Alizée (maybe representing the adult part of her personality) showed her, how would look like her life if she would choose to live with Romeo. Why? I conclude just form the all scenes, where the two Alizée are walking from one room to another, seeing really "weird" things, maybe representing the lifestyle of aristocracy?Then the dance fight between the black and rose ladies, it is like a very difficult thinking about on which way to go. And in the end everyone disappeared, only the black Alizée is there. Too from the director cut scene, we can see how the black Alizée kissed the pink Alizée, and then everyone disappered what is in the final clip. So maybe we can say, Alizée found the way which should be the best, the way to be finally adult and not childish. Or... from the removed "kiss" scene, maybe just there is not the right world for such difficult adult vs. childish personality.

But really by this video/song it is hard to find, what it should be about... :D

[Jazzmin]

http://youtu.be/WyUXWgmEvE8?t=47s

The rose Alizée tasting that cake ^^ . Another proof why the MJ video has something to do with the cover of Psych.

http://youtu.be/WyUXWgmEvE8?t=1m7s

Anyone else thinking it mirrors the bathing scene from "Libertine" by Mylene Farmer?

My comments weren't meant as a criticism of your essay. They were, if anything, an additional angle.
For my part, critisms are welcome, no matter if correcting the language or the content. And addictional angles are fine indeed! In fact, you can interpret MJ in like a million ways, that makes me very willing to read your words :) .
So what are your thoughts on the other two videos that I included? The second video listed below suggest--not a subject--but a theme that Alizee is repeating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g
Uhm, seems like I've just got to take my time to process it. I've never thought of MJ as a personal work, rather a less personal one than Gourmandises/MCE songs.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1a/Alizee_psychedelices.jpg

I remember like Alizée talked what should mean this cover. It should represent two Alizée. The left an adult Alizée, the right still the childish girl what she was (is). Except the cover, the whole album has the both sides.

Now back to MJ video. Again, there are two Alizée - the mystery black lady, and of course our sweet Alizée in nice rose dress. But what is the meaning of the clip? A think, the everything after the balcony scene should be like a view to the "future" or something similar. Easily the black Alizée (maybe representing the adult part of her personality) showed her, how would look like her life if she would choose to live with Romeo. Why? I conclude just form the all scenes, where the two Alizée are walking from one room to another, seeing really "weird" things, maybe representing the lifestyle of aristocracy?Then the dance fight between the black and rose ladies, it is like a very difficult thinking about on which way to go. And in the end everyone disappeared, only the black Alizée is there. Too from the director cut scene, we can see how the black Alizée kissed the pink Alizée, and then everyone disappered what is in the final clip. So maybe we can say, Alizée found the way which should be the best, the way to be finally adult and not childish. Or... from the removed "kiss" scene, maybe just there is not the right world for such difficult adult vs. childish personality.
:clap:

[Un-rêve]

Believe it or not, but Romeos and Juliets still live now, in the 21st century. One Juliet I have recently heard of fortunately did not succeed in killing herself. She attempted to, though.

Adolescent fascination with one's first love is of no condemnation. On the other hand, death, especially suicide, is never jolly. We should not close our eyes to the mischief in order to bear it but for God's sake, let us not glamorize it.

I remember Alizée liked the concept of Romeo and Juliette back in the day.. well I guess she's a romantic.. but for the life of me I can't understand this thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxfjSnMN88U

[Shepherd]

but for the life of me I can't understand this thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxfjSnMN88U


Let me be blunt. After watching the three videos I'm posting below, I couldn't help wondering if A) Alizee were bisexual, B) Is she trying to tell her fans that she is bisexual in the Juliet video as well as the dance she does with Candice Pascal and Gregoire? C) Is her friendship with Tal more than just friendship?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUXWgmEvE8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g

[Jazzmin]

I remember Alizée liked the concept of Romeo and Juliette back in the day.. well I guess she's a romantic..
I don't know, maybe she is - but MJ is not about being romantic. The lyrics directly refer to the plot of the drama (well, even the name of its author is mentioned!) and the drama, let me remind you, is full of unpleasant events. The Juliet invented by Alizée, though, is a person who wants to have fun and does not give a damn about the Cause, One and the Only True Love or any other sophisticated stuff encouraging her to suffer. She wants to do it all her own way. If it has anything to do with romantism, it is rather its laugh-off, not its applause.

Is it clear to you then??? Because if not... "Romeo & Juliet" is about puppy love ending tragically. Many popculture writings, songs etc. use the names in context of most desirable, true love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9RVafvI6EM
"Mademoiselle Juliette" is about doing coke and alco instead of ebbing into deep problems.
but for the life of me I can't understand this thread.
The purpose of this thread is to analyze the meaning of "Mademoiselle Juliette".
After watching the three videos I'm posting below, I couldn't help wondering if A) Alizee were bisexual, B) Is she trying to tell her fans that she is bisexual in the Juliet video as well as the dance she does with Candice Pascal and Gregoire? C) Is her friendship with Tal more than just friendship?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUXWgmEvE8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SlTAHfP0g
It is definetely not a business of our to assume if Alizée AS A PRIVATE PERSON is bisexual or not. When it comes to her works, though... I assume this interpretation could do. Especially in the dance that may mean her man separates her from a friend of hers but also the "friend" may be her female lover.

[Shepherd]

It is definetely not a business of our to assume if Alizée AS A PRIVATE PERSON is bisexual or not. When it comes to her works, though... I assume this interpretation could do. Especially in the dance that may mean her man separates her from a friend of hers but also the "friend" may be her female lover.[/QUOTE]

If Alizee puts her sexual orientation into the public eye by making it a subject of her art or by publicly putting it on display, as she has in the videos I've posted, I think it's fair game. Also in today's environment, I don't think one's sexual orientation is a cause to vilify her. As her fans who adore her, we scratch at every minute bit of information trying to sift out who she is. We invest so much of ourselves into her emotionally that I don't think it's unfair to have some answers to our questions. Granted there are limits. We all want a piece of her, and she has every right to put a limit on our demands of her. Alizee has a right to her privacy, but not if she lays it out for public view. In that she raises these questions in her art and allows us to see her acts of affection that are video taped and posted on the Internet, I think she wants the public to, at least, be thinking about these things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=z0SlTAHfP0g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

Edit:

How do you post a video? Not just a link, but an actual video?

[Lucas]

How do you post a video? Not just a link, but an actual video?

post youtube links as "http" and not "https"

[Un-rêve]

Is it clear to you then???

Yup I was just horsing around b4.. my bad. :o



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9RVafvI6EM


Nice touch. ;)


The Juliet invented by Alizée, though, is a person who wants to have fun and does not give a damn about the Cause, One and the Only True Love or any other sophisticated stuff encouraging her to suffer. She wants to do it all her own way.


What you mention here kinda reminds me of this song too.. especially the first couple of versus. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFMtlCfsroY

[Shepherd]

Lucas, thank you for the information

http://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=z0SlTAHfP0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfticf2mFk

[Jazzmin]

What you mention here kinda reminds me of this song too.. especially the first couple of versus. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFMtlCfsroY
Pardon my off topic but wow, I must be a bad fan cuz I've never heard that :P . Good one.

If we're like associating the theme with other songs, I'd go for "J'en ai marre!" and "Toc de mac" because they are also praising pleasant emotions and are against melancholy. It's kinda interesting how Mylene, whose songs are mostly depressive, happened to write them. Well, maybe she was kinda joking about herself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=240S04eCCC0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sUlU8zcsV4
(Compare those above with that piece about madness, uselessness etc.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEKNGCJEttM

[Un-rêve]

^^

You're a good Alizée fan.. I can see that from the way you write her name with the accent :) but yeah that song from MF is depressing. I guess those Alizée songs will always be her better side coming through if we really wanna get technical about it.. but then again I guess it was also the way she sang and performed them that would just blow your mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LH41VUVMCw

[Jazzmin]

Amalgamation of Alizée's DALS performance and the MJ video.
http://imagizer.imageshack.com/img910/6453/I3iPyy.jpg
No need to write a separate thing about the music video.

[MelleValetta]

Decades later, I now understand why Alizée said the song is about the anti-Juliet. As Alizée herself said, Juliet does not want to decide whether the Montagues or the Capulet. She just wants "all" and doesn't stop obeying William's directives. Which is the same way a celebrity/artist doesn't like to decide between their career or their family life.