Romeo and Juliet By: Jamikal Bearden

Romeo and Juliet's family tree

About the play Romeo and Juliet Love is a word that means many different things to many different people. Romeo starts the play captivated by Rosaline (Act 1, Scene 1), a gorgeous Capulet with no interest in him, in a childish love. His first encounter with his “true” love Juliet seems like puppy love. The two star crossed lovers are in different warring families but their love over comes their families hatred resolving with them both dying in each others arms, this love, puts a stop to the feud. Throughout the play love becomes a violent and drastic overpowering force that clouds the families values, loyalty and rational thought.

What some people think about Romeo and Juliet Who says you have to read the entire play in the original language?  Translate certain scenes, use modern translations, have the kids apply it to their own lives.  Then watch the film in the original after you've discussed the whole play.  They will get it.  It's beautiful. It's life.  Not to mention that Shakespeare and the Bible are the two sources most often quoted and referenced in other works...not to be versed in these two print sources is to miss out on so much meaning where they are referenced to make a point elsewhere. Shakespeare, more than any other author, is the universal God of unique characters, situations, and people from all walks of life.  He tells of paupers, kings and queens, and all those in between.  He speaks of love, incest, jealousy, mistaken identity, bad and good luck, ghosts, family relationships, ambition and its cost, pain, success, laughter, life and death.  There is something in every single play for every person if you can turn the students on to it. The way to do that is NOT to read it from the book, but to PLAY it. 

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