Should the classical text Romeo and Juliet continue to

be a part of the schools curriculum ?

Why are characters and themes from the time of Shakespeare entirely relevant to
contemporary teenagers of today?

Published: March 21, 2023

ATTIYA SHAAFI

Year 10 student at Calamvale Community College

One of Shakespeare’s famous plays, Romeo and Juliet, still lingers in

the hearts of many. The Audience experiences multiple ideas and
concepts that still hold significance to youth today.

The identity of women in the Elizabethan era is a showcase of how

they lived under the rules and expectations of society at that time. The
alarming actions of youth have been a constant topic of discussion
through time.

The tales of forbidden love have been expressed using Romeo and
Juliet to show the intensity between them.

The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, explores

the themes of love and the Folly of Youth, with characters like
Juliet, to express the relation to contemporary teenagers today.
 Characteristics of Juliet and connection to youth

Which character from the timeless tragedy displays its characteristics

and actions most prominently? Taking the heroine of the story into
consideration there is recognition that Juliet represents, a few modern
youth behaviours shown today.

Through the secret marriage under the defiance of her parents she
expresses an unwavering character that considers her own decisions.
This is explicitly shown in the quote ‘’ I pray you tell my lord and
father, madam, I will not marry yet, and when I do, I swear It shall
be Romeo, whom you know I hate, Rather than Paris’’ (Shakespeare,
1597).

These quotes strongly depict the idea that Juliet is not bound by
anyone’s words and truly follows what she wishes. This is
entirely related to the generation of contemporary teenagers.

It is similarly shown in the novel ‘’The Perfect Mentor’’ by Umera

Ahmed. The female lead, Imama, is featured to be arguing with
her father defying an arranged marriage.

‘’I do not want to get married in the middle of my studies’’. ‘’They can call it off now (her engagement) After
all, it’s not the end of the world!’’ (Ahmed, 2004).

Shakespeare outlined that, Juliet was a unique character as arrange marriages were more common in the
Elizabethan era.

The Folly of Romeo versus teens of today

The folly of youth has put the public to think, is it really so controversial to be considered as one of Shakespeare's
timeless themes? This is conveyed in the play through the actions of young Romeo.

He is a person that is entirely driven by his emotions without thinking about the consequences. His impulsivity is
conveyed in the following quotes, ‘’fire-eyed fury be my conduct now’’. ‘’Mercutio’s soul Is but a little way above
our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company’’ (Shakespeare, 1597).
 Romeo experiencing deep emotions like grieve and fury leads him to
commit foolish acts. A modern-day media example of this would be
Cady Herons from Mean Girls. Feeling betrayed by her ‘’trusted
friend’’, her plans are ignited by a sense of rage to take revenge, but
they end up harming herself and others in the process (Waters,
2004).

The theme folly of youth explains to the audience of Shakespeare

that if you attempt something with unpleasant intentions it will
always come back to you.

Love of Romeo and Juliet complimenting modern romance

‘’Love is in the air’’, is a phase which highly resonates with our two ‘’star crossed lovers’’. Shakespeare has
purposefully demonstrated with the depths of Romeo and Juliet’s compassionate confessions using specific
language to have an effect.

Both Romeo and Juliet declare their love using

extreme comparisons, such as ‘’O then dear saint,
let lips do what hands do’’, "My bounty is as
boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I
give to thee, The more I have, for both are
infinite." "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun"
(Shakespeare, 1597).

These quotes indicate the intensity of love that flows between two lovers. According to CBS NEWS
PHILEDELPHIA from the article ‘’Love at first sight’’, 60% of individuals experience love at first sight. They
describe it as being an electricity type feeling or being swept off your feet, completely ingulfed in that emotion
(Stahl, 2024).

This clarifies the reason to Romeo and Juliets behaviour and links back to contemporary teens. The
disturbance of the chain of being and the wheel of fortune lead the end of Romeo and Juliet to not be so joyful.
Though they still loved each other compassionately.
 In conclusion, the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare explores the themes of love and the
Folly of Youth, with characters like Juliet, to express the relation to contemporary teenagers today.

This has been confidently shown through the novel ‘’The Perfect Mentor’’ by Umera Ahmed to compare the
strong feminine characters of Elizabethan era and the present. Mean Girls has given us a modern example for
the Folly of Youth as Romeo stands to be another fit example of that time.

The two sweethearts of Shakespeare have proven that emotions like love at first sight are still significant to
people of this modern era and will be throughout history. This is why Romeo and Juliet should be continued and
taught as part of the school’s English curriculum.

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