Romeo and Juliet

When I first read this I had been convinced already that it wasn't a very good story, because it's an epic love story between two kids who get carried away, foolishly and fatally. Now thinking back on it as an adult, I have so much more respect for the story. This is what happens when kids aren't allowed to explore their feelings in a natural, healthy way. This is a tragedy of two lovers, but even more so it's a tragedy of two stubborn families, who let their own drama get in the way of puppy love, turning it into an "us against the world" situation. Let kids be kids, let kids explore the new feelings they are feeling, or it can blow up in your face.

... this was written as a tragedy, not a love story. The point is supposed to be what a useless waste it all was, not how romantic it was. Way to miss the point generation after generation...

One of William Shakespeare's earlier plays and it shows, lacking some of the nuance of other plays I have read by the Bard. This is more Shakespeare the crowd-pleaser than Shakespeare the artist, with Romeo and Juliet's characters all too readily indulging in cheap jokes and bawdy innuendo like these were the Carry On stories of their time. There were so many lines which seem innocuous to modern ears but which my annotated Wordsworth Classics edition assures me are in all probability not-so-subtle references to penises and vaginas. Well, they don't teach you that at Key Stage 3 English.

Nevertheless, this is still Shakespeare and it still hits hard when it wants to. It is rightly one of his most iconic and influential plays; even if some show more of the lines fall flat, it remains greater than the sum of its parts. It is the classic crowd-pleasing tale of star-crossed lovers (a phrase coined by Shakespeare in this very play) and the codifier of many tropes on doomed love and the impetuous romance of youth. Such tropes have been plundered and bastardized in modern times by zombie trash like Twilight, so if this is what passed for low entertainment in the late 16th century then Tudor English audiences don't know how good they had it.

One of the themes which particularly interested me was one emphasised by Cedric Watts in the introduction to my Wordsworth edition; the idea that Romeo and Juliet was key in changing societal norms on marriage. As Watts says, the dominance of the belief that marriage should be based on the free choice of loving partners [rather than a choice made by one's family or by economic circumstances] is, historically, a relatively recent phenomenon, and more localised geographically than we may at first think." (pg. 16). At the very least, the play backed the winning horse, "eloquently voic[ing] the idea which eventually prevailed." (pg. 16). Considering that the freedom of choice in marriage is still not an option in many parts of the world – including, sadly, amongst some elements of our own society – then this is a salient theme to ponder. As with the other Shakespeare plays I have read, I find it remarkable that so short a piece – Shakespeare refers very early on to "the two hours' traffic of our stage" (pg. 35) – can retain within it such variety and depth. Even accounting for the bawdiness and the prick jokes, Shakespeare is still more than worth our time and effort." show less

As long as you remind yourself that this is teen melodrama and not tragedy the essential vapidity of the central relationship and the frustratingly buried deeper and more complex relationships--actually all Romeo's, with Mercutio but also Benvolio, Tybalt, the priest--don't get in the way of good tawdry enjoyment. Now I think about it, Romeo's like a cryptohomoerotic sixteenth-century Archie.

Some people think Shakespeare is too old, outdated and overrated. However, when I can read something for the 14th time, and STILL find new things in it? Obviously that means the author did something right.

The themes that appear in this play: love, suicide, hate, and revenge being some of them are very relevant to the youth of today. The feud between the Capulets and the Montagues is one that mirrors that of gangs in modern times. And it's interesting that I can lead students through this text, and they can say how stupid it is that Romeo and Juliet killed themselves, how dumb it is for the families to be feuding....and then trying to show them that gangs are the same, well that is the challenge.

Hopefully this play also brings to light show more what a msitake it is to take one's own life out of love. This play hits a personal note there, knowing a student who did that to herself last year.

Romeo and Juliet is a CLASSIC that should be taught to students everywhere. It is not something that should be pushed aside because it is 'too hard' or 'written weird' (arguments I hear at my school). It is not too difficult for students to read, although it will take support from the teacher. show less

Esta bela tragédia acontece em Verona e gira, é claro, em torno de Romeo Montague e Julieta Capuleto, dois jovens amantes virtualmente condenados por causa da briga entre suas famílias. Shakespeare, um mestre em prenúncios, faz da Nurse a personagem que primeiramente prenuncia os eventos futuros. Comparações entre luz e escuridão também não faltam. São fundamentais para a peça importantes cenas de amor que acontecem no escuro, longe da desordem que marca o dia. Romeo ama Julieta à noite, mas mata durante a balbúrdia diurna. Há também um forte conflito no uso da prata e do ouro. A prata é invocada como um símbolo do amor e da beleza. O ouro, por outro lado, é usado como um sinal de ganância e desejo. A ereção das show more estátuas douradas, no final, denota o fato de que nem Montague nem Capuleto aprenderam realmente alguma coisa com suas perdas. Tal como os personagens de Richard III sonham com seus destinos, Romeu também tem um sonho que o alerta para o destino: "Sonhei que minha senhora veio e me encontrou morto." Referências sexuais e bíblicas abundam. Há uma estranha referência bíblica quando Benvolio tenta parar a luta: "Embainhem as espadas, vocês não sabem o que fazem." - ecoando as palavras de Cristo quando tentou parar a luta entre os apóstolos e os romanos durante a sua prisão. Frei Lourenço parece brincar de Deus ao convencer Julieta a beber a poção que fará com que aqueles a seu redor acreditem que ela esteja, de fato, morta até que Romeu a venha ressuscitar. Em sua tentativa de brincar de Deus, Frei Lourenço está condenado ao fracasso pela simples arrogância de seus atos - uma conotação com a morte de Cristo que não pode ter escapado aos cristãos que assistiram às primeiras performances desta peça. show less

An English classic masterpiece still being studied in high school and university the world over to this day. This play showcases Shakespeare's amazing wordplay and use of the English language (Elizabethan English!) as well as exploring themes of familial duty, virtue, fate, violence, love, and societal expectation. This is a tragedy though many consider it one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Traditionally, R&J is taught as is, read out loud act by act in class by students [or acted out depending on your teacher] who're embarrassed, can't understand it, find it cringy, and ask the age-old question of "why do we have to learn this?" How boring!

Listen up, I'm about to learn you a thing or two about R&J and why even though it's old show more as shit, it's still really good shit. Buckle in, this is going to be a long one.

First of all, it's a three-day rampage through a city by two powerful MAFIA families. The Montagues and the Capulets are in an age-old feud that neither family can remember the significant reason for. Throughout the play, the soldatos (soldiers) of each family go back and forth in the city of Verona, tearing shit up. There's a lot of Elizabethan comedy throughout the play - it's hella dirty and if you know, you know. Shakespeare would use double entendre, puns, homonyms, and sexually explicit phrases throughout to show rebellion and demonstrate how language is the great equalizer amongst people.

Second, the Capulets are trying to secure territory, clout, and other concessions by parading their 13-year old daughter Juliet in front of a noble Count [Paris] during their annual masquerade ball. The ball is infiltrated by 19-year old Romeo, son of the capo di capi of the Montague family along with his cousin Benvolio and their smart-ass friend Mercutio who also happens to be related to Prince Escalus who administers the city. In other plays, Shakespeare has explored how children are bound to honor their parents but in this play, he turns the tables and through characters like Lady Capulet, shows how parents also need to respect, be open, and kind to their children.

Third, when Tybalt - the Capulet capo bostone or second in command - sees the Montagues infiltrate, he sees red but the capo di capi of the Capulets urges him not to spill blood in front of Paris and other important guests. This is where shit hits the fan because the Montagues are there to have a good time, thinking no one will know it's them and Romeo is hoping to see this chick he's been talking to. Instead, he sees Juliet and that's it for him. Shakespeare shows that even though no one remembers why the families are fighting, they're all more than willing to shed blood in the name of duty and honor.

Fourth, the insta-love trope. Both Romeo and Juliet fall for each other instantly. [insert eye roll] Shakespeare uses this to show off how love is both chaotic and peaceful. He constantly reminds the audience that love and violence are connected through characters' words and actions. There is also the theme of fate and in this play, all the characters widely accept that their lives have some sort of predestined path. Romeo and Juliet know their love is doomed from the start but they hope against hope that they can beat fate.

Fifth, no good deed goes unpunished. A good friar tries to slow things down but realizes he has the chance of a lifetime here and urges caution but agrees to Romeo and Juliets hair-brained plan to marry thinking it will bring peace to Verona. We all know the steps: make the plan, follow the plan, watch it go off the rails, burn the plan. This play couldn't have this concept more if it tried! Every possible thing happens! Fate again!

Sixth, death dying suicide pain pain pain. Everyone loses someone and in the end, the capos realize they fucked up and call off their feud and dedicate statues to their children to remind them of all they lost. Themes of love, duty, and fate. Shakespeare shows that the most vulnerable in society (children & teens) are often ignored and dismissed by the older generations for their folly or childish thinking.

Doesn't that sound more exciting? You're welcome.

I've taught R&J for years like this and I even show the Baz Lurhman version before to help get my students thinking in more unconventional terms. It makes the story so much better especially for those students who think it's just a stupid love story. While the Bartkowiak movie 'Romeo Must Die' starring the late & great Aalyiah and Jet Li bears the name, it is only very loosely based on the play and obviously can't be shown in a school setting.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own. This hot take on how to teach Romeo and Juliet may not be 100% original to me but I have yet to find any curriculum similar to it.** show less