Taking a Page From Shakespeare

Learning a little from Romeo and Juliet

Believe it or not, Romeo and Juliet has a lot to say to teenagers today. If there weren’t angry words, fighting, and misunderstandings, there would be no Romeo and Juliet. The whole play is one big “if only”—one that is way too easy to experience in our own lives.

• If only Tybalt could see that Romeo was trying to bridge the gap between their two families...
• If only Mercutio had turned away from the fight as his friends urged...
• If only Romeo didn’t allow revenge to seep into his heart...
• If only Lord Capulet would listen to his daughter instead of yelling at her and threatening her...
• If only Paris stopped to talk to Romeo and ask why he was at Juliet’s grave...

So many needless deaths. Only when Romeo and Juliet are dead do their families reconcile. Is that what we want? Fighting and death? Can’t we come to the realization that this arguing and taunting can only lead to more misery and pain? We need to look at the larger picture, see farther into the future, and find common ground.

To contact us, either respond to our survey or e-mail our faculty sponsor at SAVe@washington.edu.