(1) “Romeo and Juliet” is arguably the most famous play ever written. (2) The play is 500 years old. (3) It is still taught in most American high schools, and is often alluded to in popular culture, television, and movies. (4) Most people, to be clear, still think of “Romeo and Juliet” as the epitome of love stories. The name “Romeo” is popularly used a name synonymous with romance, male sexual prowess, and virility. (5) Anyone who has read the play with any care should realize, though, that this is not an ideal story of love. (6) Presenting at it such can actually be pretty dangerous, especially for teenagers who are likely to read the play in high school. (7) If we look to the play to teach us anything about love, what it teaches us is that love is fickle, destructive, and lethal.

(8) The story revolves around two teenagers who seem more infatuated with each other then in love with each other. (9) They have a connection on first sight, sure, but are looking to get married after only a brief conversation in Juliet’s garden (balcony scene). (10) They rush through every aspect of their relationship, almost as if they know that if they take a moment to pause, the adrenaline will ease and their feelings for each other will slip away. (11) By the end of the play, they have each committed suicide as a result of a small misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if they had only taken a momentary pause. (12) If we present this as the epitome of a love story, what are we teaching the 9th graders who read this play? (13) The moment they find anyone for whom they have a slight interest, they should jump in head first, and as soon as there is a problem, they should simply end their lives? (14) When I hear someone call a man Romeo, I don’t think he must be a ladies’ man with a silver tongue. (15) I think, “there’s a man who’s going to sleep with me and then make me want to kill myself.”

(1) “Romeo and Juliet” is arguably the most famous play ever written. (2) The play is 500 years old. (3) It is still taught in most American high schools, and is often alluded to in popular culture, television, and movies. (4) Most people, to be clear, still think of “Romeo and Juliet” as the epitome of love stories. The name “Romeo” is popularly used a name synonymous with romance, male sexual prowess, and virility. (5) Anyone who has read the play with any care should realize, though, that this is not an ideal story of love. (6) Presenting at it such can actually be pretty dangerous, especially for teenagers who are likely to read the play in high school. (7) If we look to the play to teach us anything about love, what it teaches us is that love is fickle, destructive, and lethal.

(8) The story revolves around two teenagers who seem more infatuated with each other then in love with each other. (9) They have a connection on first sight, sure, but are looking to get married after only a brief conversation in Juliet’s garden (balcony scene). (10) They rush through every aspect of their relationship, almost as if they know that if they take a moment to pause, the adrenaline will ease and their feelings for each other will slip away. (11) By the end of the play, they have each committed suicide as a result of a small misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if they had only taken a momentary pause. (12) If we present this as the epitome of a love story, what are we teaching the 9th graders who read this play? (13) The moment they find anyone for whom they have a slight interest, they should jump in head first, and as soon as there is a problem, they should simply end their lives? (14) When I hear someone call a man Romeo, I don’t think he must be a ladies’ man with a silver tongue. (15) I think, “there’s a man who’s going to sleep with me and then make me want to kill myself.”

(1) “Romeo and Juliet” is arguably the most famous play ever written. (2) The play is 500 years old. (3) It is still taught in most American high schools, and is often alluded to in popular culture, television, and movies. (4) Most people, to be clear, still think of “Romeo and Juliet” as the epitome of love stories. The name “Romeo” is popularly used a name synonymous with romance, male sexual prowess, and virility. (5) Anyone who has read the play with any care should realize, though, that this is not an ideal story of love. (6) Presenting at it such can actually be pretty dangerous, especially for teenagers who are likely to read the play in high school. (7) If we look to the play to teach us anything about love, what it teaches us is that love is fickle, destructive, and lethal.

(8) The story revolves around two teenagers who seem more infatuated with each other then in love with each other. (9) They have a connection on first sight, sure, but are looking to get married after only a brief conversation in Juliet’s garden (balcony scene). (10) They rush through every aspect of their relationship, almost as if they know that if they take a moment to pause, the adrenaline will ease and their feelings for each other will slip away. (11) By the end of the play, they have each committed suicide as a result of a small misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if they had only taken a momentary pause. (12) If we present this as the epitome of a love story, what are we teaching the 9th graders who read this play? (13) The moment they find anyone for whom they have a slight interest, they should jump in head first, and as soon as there is a problem, they should simply end their lives? (14) When I hear someone call a man Romeo, I don’t think he must be a ladies’ man with a silver tongue. (15) I think, “there’s a man who’s going to sleep with me and then make me want to kill myself.”

(1) “Romeo and Juliet” is arguably the most famous play ever written. (2) The play is 500 years old. (3) It is still taught in most American high schools, and is often alluded to in popular culture, television, and movies. (4) Most people, to be clear, still think of “Romeo and Juliet” as the epitome of love stories. The name “Romeo” is popularly used a name synonymous with romance, male sexual prowess, and virility. (5) Anyone who has read the play with any care should realize, though, that this is not an ideal story of love. (6) Presenting at it such can actually be pretty dangerous, especially for teenagers who are likely to read the play in high school. (7) If we look to the play to teach us anything about love, what it teaches us is that love is fickle, destructive, and lethal.

(8) The story revolves around two teenagers who seem more infatuated with each other then in love with each other. (9) They have a connection on first sight, sure, but are looking to get married after only a brief conversation in Juliet’s garden (balcony scene). (10) They rush through every aspect of their relationship, almost as if they know that if they take a moment to pause, the adrenaline will ease and their feelings for each other will slip away. (11) By the end of the play, they have each committed suicide as a result of a small misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if they had only taken a momentary pause. (12) If we present this as the epitome of a love story, what are we teaching the 9th graders who read this play? (13) The moment they find anyone for whom they have a slight interest, they should jump in head first, and as soon as there is a problem, they should simply end their lives? (14) When I hear someone call a man Romeo, I don’t think he must be a ladies’ man with a silver tongue. (15) I think, “there’s a man who’s going to sleep with me and then make me want to kill myself.”