DEAR ABBY: My son was required to read "Romeo and Juliet" in his freshman year of high school. It has always bothered me that this play is considered good for teenagers to read, much less required reading. The story ends with Romeo and Juliet committing suicide, which is considered "romantic."
Teen suicide is on the rise. I believe we don't need teens seeing this in literature as a romantic way out of problems. What do you think?
Abby's answer posted below as a comment. Timely because of this, though Korean teens certainly don't need a movie to remind them of suicide.
5 comments:
DEAR MICHELLE: The writings of William Shakespeare have long been considered classics of literature, and when students are assigned to read "Romeo and Juliet," it's done under the guidance of a teacher. The characters' suicides have never been considered a reasonable solution to the problem of their warring families not allowing them to be together; the play is regarded as a Shakespearian tragedy.
Suicide among teens does not happen because of blighted romance. It happens because the teenager is mentally disturbed, and friends and families are unable to pick up on cues that the young person is in serious trouble. That is why when someone talks or "jokes" about committing suicide, it's so important to report it so the person can get professional help.
Suicide among teens does not happen because of blighted romance.
You sure about that?
Blighted romance is probably not the fuel, but it could be the match.
I thought the message of Romeo & Juliet (one of its messages, anyway) is that they were foolish to kill themselves, that if they had just hung on they would have seen that things were not as bad as they seemed. A warning against the impetuousness of youth, especially with something as irretrievable as death.
I suggest that's exactly what teens need to hear.
The whole reason Romeo and Juliet is used anyway isn't only because teachers think the themes and characters will appeal to kids ~ it's also one of his less challenging plays to read, thus the popularity in high school freshman lit classes.
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