So, leading from an off-topic discussion in another thread, I believe that the common perception of Romeo and Juliet is completely wrong.
The story is commonly regarded as a highly romantic story, with the love that these two people share for each other being the absolute epitome of love itself.
I find that this perception is highly inaccurate to the actual play's content, and possibly even to what Shakespeare was trying to say. It's often forgotten that the two leads are teenagers, roughly 15-16 years of age. That means, because of raging, unfamiliar hormones combined with a complete lack of proper education and training at that time to control them, they're probably not thinking very rationally, but rather almost solely based on their emotional desires.
Their "love", furthermore, when compared to the components necessary for a good, solid relationship, turns out to be severely lacking. They never really "talk" to each other, and so have no idea what common interests they share, what the other person is truly like, and whether they could commit to a lifelong relationship. Sure, they kill themselves when life tries to pull them apart, but that's not as special as one would think: living a full lifetime in a single committed relationship is far harder, far more rewarding, and far more indicative of what might be called "True Love", than suicide because of being disallowed one's desire.
In truth, their "love" turns out to not be love at all. It's extreme obsession, to the point that it got both of them killed.
Now, I don't mean to say that Romeo and Juliet is overrated. I don't particularly "like" it, myself (I prefer Shakespeare's comedies, particularly A Midsummer Night's Dream), but it does have a ton of layers to it, no less than others. I just think that the common conception is mistaken; it's not an example of True Love, or anything like that. There are other stories, before and since, that are far better "love stories". This misconception leads it to be studied improperly in school, which could be a big reason why it's so loathed by kids.
That's a big reason why I think it's important to properly understand the story, and work to undue the damage it's caused. I don't think Shakespeare would say that, in the grand scheme of things, their relationship was ultimately bad (after all, "Doth with their death bury their parents' strife."), but I don't think he would have thought of it as an "ideal romance", either.
The story is commonly regarded as a highly romantic story, with the love that these two people share for each other being the absolute epitome of love itself.
I find that this perception is highly inaccurate to the actual play's content, and possibly even to what Shakespeare was trying to say. It's often forgotten that the two leads are teenagers, roughly 15-16 years of age. That means, because of raging, unfamiliar hormones combined with a complete lack of proper education and training at that time to control them, they're probably not thinking very rationally, but rather almost solely based on their emotional desires.
Their "love", furthermore, when compared to the components necessary for a good, solid relationship, turns out to be severely lacking. They never really "talk" to each other, and so have no idea what common interests they share, what the other person is truly like, and whether they could commit to a lifelong relationship. Sure, they kill themselves when life tries to pull them apart, but that's not as special as one would think: living a full lifetime in a single committed relationship is far harder, far more rewarding, and far more indicative of what might be called "True Love", than suicide because of being disallowed one's desire.
In truth, their "love" turns out to not be love at all. It's extreme obsession, to the point that it got both of them killed.
Now, I don't mean to say that Romeo and Juliet is overrated. I don't particularly "like" it, myself (I prefer Shakespeare's comedies, particularly A Midsummer Night's Dream), but it does have a ton of layers to it, no less than others. I just think that the common conception is mistaken; it's not an example of True Love, or anything like that. There are other stories, before and since, that are far better "love stories". This misconception leads it to be studied improperly in school, which could be a big reason why it's so loathed by kids.
That's a big reason why I think it's important to properly understand the story, and work to undue the damage it's caused. I don't think Shakespeare would say that, in the grand scheme of things, their relationship was ultimately bad (after all, "Doth with their death bury their parents' strife."), but I don't think he would have thought of it as an "ideal romance", either.
), and believe you me: I absolutely believe in romance.