Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet- Its Importance in Education Today
No story of love between two teenagers has been so popularized as that in Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare wrote the play around the years 1591 – 1595. Its main plot revolves around the relationship between two youngsters going by the play’s title. Love blossoms between the two lovebirds against the backdrop of hatred and enmity between their families.
Brief Synopsis of Romeo and Juliet:
Romeo and Juliet is set in the imaginary city of Verona. It opens with a scuffle between the Montagues and Capulets, two prominent families who never see eye to eye with each other. Verona’s prince intervenes issuing a stern warning to the effect that anyone found guilty of involvement in such fights will be put to death.
Count Paris makes a proposal seeking the hand of Juliet in marriage. Capulet is hesitant to accept this as his daughter is still too young for marriage. Paris is requested to wait for at least two years. He is invited for a party where it is hoped that courtship between him and Juliet will be initiated.
In the meantime Romeo, a Montague is infatuated by Rosaline a niece to Capulet. Under the persuasion of Mercutio and Benvolio, Romeo sneaks into Capulet’s party with the intention of meeting Rosaline. Instead, he meets and falls in love with Juliet. This is where the story of Romeo and Juliet begins. They later express their feelings for each other and are married secretly.
Upon learning that Romeo had attended the party as an “outsider,” Tybalt, a cousin to Juliet challenges Romeo to a fight. Romeo, having been married to Juliet, refuses to fight on the strength of being Tybalt’s relative by virtue of his marriage to Juliet. His closest friend, Mecutio, takes the challenge and is wounded. Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge.
The plot in Romeo and Juliet thickens when Romeo is sent to exile with the promise that he will be put to death should he return to Verona. That night he consummates their marriage. Meanwhile, Juliet’s parents forge ahead with the planned marriage to Count Paris. Juliet turns to Friar Lawrence seeking assistance. He gives her a portion that puts her to sleep. Mistaken to be dead, she is interred in a crypt.
A message is sent to Romeo but does not reach him in time. Upon learning of her “death,” he takes poison and dies in the crypt where Juliet is laid. When Juliet wakes up and finds her husband’s lifeless body lying besides her, she stabs herself. The two families are later reunited.
Importance of the play in education today:
Romeo and Juliet is a useful literature text. It is used to teach young students the different aspects of English literature. Learners obtain skills that help them interpret and anaylze similar texts by examining themes such as love, hatred, chance and fate among others.
Though written in “Shakespearian” English, Romeo and Juliet helps teach writing skills. Students skills in critiquing are enhanced through discussion of character traits themes and styles, their skills are enhanced. Students also learn how to relate the events in the play to present occurrences.