For starters, I don't like this play. I feel like it's gotten way too much focus and that society should expand and enjoy some of Shakespeare's other works. That being said, I do find literary merit in the play. The character development and conflict throughout the play show to be good resources when teaching about plot. There is a lot going on throughout the play, even though it's focused on the two lovers and their families' anger toward each other. I feel as though showing the quickness of budding affection and the drastic measures the two characters took can be looked at through a modern lens and over-the-top and naive. Students, on the other hand, might relate to this naivety and claim their love for their significant other is that strong.
One way to make a connection to the text for the students is to help them realize that the characters in the play were about their ages. If you think about a freshman and a senior in high school making all of these plans to run away and get married, then end up killing themselves. It's pretty twisted to think about, and making these connections with the students could help get Shakespeare's point across even clearer that feuds such as that represented in the play, or even simple petty hatreds, can lead to drastic outcomes and hurt innocent people.
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