(#21) / Romeo and Juliet / by William Shakespeare / (Book)

Opening

Bibliographic Information:

Romeo and Juliet / by William Shakespeare

ISBN-13: 978-0140620931/ Bookworm /

p. 160/ $7.19 (Amazon)

Reprint 1994 / Original – circa 1595

Body of Content

Summary: Romeo & Juliet is a play centered on two teenagers from rival families – set in Italy.  The play is within the genre of tragedy – as the ending finds such a tragic turn.  Friends and family repeatedly make attempts – in both word and action – to keep the two title characters from seeing each other.  Filled with sword fights and romantic lines of poetry, Shakespeare crafts a drama filled with action and love.  Romeo first attends a banquet – in hopes of meeting the lovely Rosaline.  As the night unfolds, Romeo instead falls smitten for Juliet – despite the family issues. The couple marries in secret in an attempt to hide their love from their families.  But as the story continues towards its conclusion, both Romeo and Juliet may have to sacrifice too much – for the hope of love.   

Critique: Shakespeare’s drama still carries relevancy for many teens.  Romeo & Juliet contains many themes – but certainly, the lure of forbidden love is among them.  Teenagers can relate to this theme – as often times their dating choices may not reflect the desires of their parents.  Such instances usually do not carry the drama – or even necessary, the ultimatums – to the same extent as Shakespeare’s classic.  Still, even within the 20^th century, segregation carried the expectation of a restriction – that black and white Americans should not date/marry.  On a larger front, the taboo or restrictions on relationships may center on ethnic, racial, linguistic, economic, political, religious, etc. “reasons”.  And teenagers – caught between childhood and adulthood – face a world that may not share their worldview.

Romeo & Juliet holds that tension throughout its narrative – how two rival families kept two lovers from loving.  Since love is a social enterprise, it seems that culture often puts limitations to it.  The drama is one of Shakespeare’s most famous – perhaps in part due to a universal theme – forbidden love.      

Teaser: “How far would you go in the quest to find true love?”

Information about the Author: Shakespeare is an English writer and playwright – having lived in the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries.  He was married to Anne Hathaway – with whom he had several children.  His father, John, held a municipal position in the town of Straford-upon-Avon.  His mother, Mary, came from a land-owning family.  His father’s employment allowed for William’s education – though he would never go to the university after grammar school (A&E, 2011).

Shakespeare wrote many plays for dramatic reenactment – many of which still receive attention on modern stages and film adaptions. Some of his comedies include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, and Twelfth Night; meanwhile, some of his histories include Henry VI and Richard III; further, some of his tragedies include Hamlet, Julius Caesar, MacBeth, and King Lear (Wikipedia, 2011).

Supplemental Material

Genre: Romance / Historical Fiction / Classic

Curriculum Ties: History – Italian history / English – vocabulary, etymology, poetry 

Booktalking Ideas: 1) Two rival families feud – while two rival members choose to pursue love 2) Why do you think Romeo and Juliet receives such attention in pop culture – as opposed to his other works?

Reading Level: Primarily for ages 14-16. Interest level may rise to upper high school – but this book would have difficulty sliding to younger ages like students in junior high with the arcane vocabulary.

Challenge Issues and Defense: The book does contain some language – though it is often in the crass vernacular of several centuries past.  The book is a classic – and one dearly attributed to Shakespeare.  With those credentials, the book usually receives a pass.

Personal Reasons for Inclusion: Like many teenagers, this Shakespearean work represented my first reading experience of the English author.

Last Thoughts

References:

A&E Television Network. (2011). William Shakespeare [Webpage]. Retrieved from

http://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323

Wikipedia. (2011). William Shakespeare [Webpage]. Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare

Listening to (Music):

Artist – Plumb/ Album – various playlists