1. The Argumentative Essay by Mrs. Mellott

2. The Introduction "Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo! Deny thy father and refuse thy name and I'll no longer be a Capulet" (Shakespeare, Act II, lines 35-39). These lines from Romeo and Juliet are the most misinterpreted lines in any play. Juliet is actually saying that she wished Romeo was not a Montague and that she was not a Capulet. She is not looking for Romeo. The play is one of the most memorable love stories and should be saved from destruction.

3. Background and Personal Connection What is the summary of the play? What is my personal connection? The play centers around two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. They despise each other which leads to a lot of chaos in the town, Verona. Their son and daughter, Romeo and Juliet, fall in love and try to have some happiness. This play is a tragedy, so no one has a happy ending. Murder, love, marriage, suicide, faking death, and lying are just some of the ideas swirling around in this play. I have been teaching this play for 20 years, and I still love it. I love the unusual language, the strange clothes that they wore, and how the people lived during this period of time.

4. Argument For It What is an argument for keeping Romeo and Juliet? Without Romeo and Juliet, we would not have the movies and books that we have today. Movies such as Twilight with Bella and Edward and West Side Story with Tony and Maria are just two examples of the influence of the original story. "Themes and scenarios that are still found in sitcoms today" ("Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Reviews") originate from Shakespeare's story. Characters who love each other but cannot be together and families who hate each other are two examples.

5. Argument Against It What is an argument against the play? Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan Age which means the language was like poetry. "Thee," "thy," "ratcatcher," and "fiddlestick," are just a few words that are in the play. Therefore, "Shakespeare's language can be challenging to read" ("Romeo and Juliet Reviews"). People would have to use a variation of the play that would help them understand what the words meant.

6. Conclusion Even though people do not like the language of Romeo and Juliet, I still believe that it should be saved from destruction. The language and the historical references shed light to that period of time called the Elizabethan Age.

7. Works Cited "Romeo and Juliet Reviews." commonsensemedia.org. Web. 19 January 2013. "Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Reviews." teenink.com. Web. 19 January 2013. Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Clayton: Prestwick House, 2009. Print.