“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Instantaneously the cataclysmic love story of Romeo & Juliet popped into your mind. Regardless of whether you have read it, watched it or studied it at a basic or advanced level, it has made an appearance somewhere and somehow. This play, written by literary genius, William Shakespeare, is a romance-filled tragedy with revenge, murder, violence, rebellion, politics and death.
But with a world already filled with such animosity and afflictions, is it appropriate to be shown to the youth of today?
We often hear the term ‘do not try this at home’ whilst viewing materials of violence or unethicality in a certain magnitude. However, the thought of proceeding otherwise still lingers within the depths of our mind. With a generation as rebellious and vexatious as ours, would it be a wise choice to present Romeo & Juliet to us? Not to undermine the youth of today, but it’s as if when a piece of precaution is given, it almost immediately goes through on ear and comes out the other. In the words of Desiderius Erasmus, “Prevention is better than cure.”
Why would Romeo & Juliet be a bad influence? For starters, it’s a tale about suicidal love. Should schools be forcing students to read about a love story that ends in death? Of course Shakespeare was trying to prove a point that love can overcome all means of negativity and that hate ultimately tears more people apart rather than brings them together, but it does bring up the topic of suicide. In a generation where suicide is prevalent, would a play such as Romeo & Juliet really help our children or praise suicide? For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S (jasonfoundation.org). Addressing suicide in such manner, looking at it as an act of heroism, could make it seem as if suicide is an acceptable way to deal with problems.
Another reason that may cause doubts in your mind is that the levels of violence is extremely high. The beginning of Romeo & Juliet begins with a brawl. These are presentations of violence that may make it seem acceptable to act upon them in real life seeing as we study them it in school. With school bullying rates at high levels, would publicising a play that contains a lot violence be the wise choice? A study from ABC News showed that at least 30% of students are bullies or victims of bullies. That is still 30% too much.
Romeo & Juliet, although a literary masterpiece, still will have it’s negative sides. As it influenced the likes of popular film makers, singers and other pop culture, it can and will influence the moldable mind of today’s youth. Why take the risk when there is an option of prevention? Why jump in the fire to see how hot it is if there is a thermometre? Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”