Romeo and Juliet
75. Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
So after four years as an English major, one year as an English teacher, and one year as a law student, I finally read Romeo and Juliet for the first time. It was very strange reading this play having grown up in a culture where its plot and language are already known to everyone. I mean, what English-speaking person can’t quote the balcony scene? Who doesn’t know the most famous lines? And we certainly all know how it ends! So I’m still pondering whether I actually gained anything by reading the play, since it was already to some extent ingrained in me.
But I did have a rather odd experience while reading it: I got carried away enough by the story that I had to keep reminding myself that it’s a tragedy! With every new development, I kept thinking, “Well, this is okay; they’ll just follow their plan and everything will work out!” I almost expected Romeo and Juliet to escape to Mantua, effect a reconciliation between their families, and return to Verona in triumph with a cute little baby in tow.
Rationally, though, I think the ending couldn’t have happened any other way. Romeo is an immature, fickle whiner who really needs to grow up. Juliet’s not much better - although she seems like a smart girl, she doesn’t realize that what she’s feeling is first-crush infatuation, not love. Honestly, I think Romeo should have stuck with Rosaline, who was perceptive enough to see that Romeo had to grow up a little before he’d make anyone a good husband. And Paris seemed like a pretty good guy too, who probably would have made Juliet happy if she’d waited a couple years. Obviously, the whole Romeo-Juliet relationship was doomed from the start. If they hadn’t killed themselves, they’d have been divorced in a year.
Well, obviously I did gain something from reading the play, since it generated so much rambling! Bottom line: I’m glad I finally read it!