Romeo and Juliet: The Troubles of Then and Now By: J-J Kitchen and Shawna Keating

The story of these two “star-crossed lovers” goes deeper than forbidden love and soul-mates. There are many problems in their story that is completely relevant to the drama of today’s teens. The lives of foolish adolescence in the ’s was made of betrayal, young love, fights, and rebellion against authority. It sounds like something you’d hear today. Both eras can be compared in many areas, but teenage violence and the nature of revenge are two things that are so closely related, it’s staggering. Romeo and Juliet

Violence and revenge go hand in hand. Violence is actions or words used to cause harm to another. Revenge is getting back at someone for something they did (usually through arguments and violence). In both, the intention is to mentally or physically harm someone. Violence and revenge are dominant in schools and even the workplace. Sports and politics are big on getting back for wrong-doings. Violence and Revenge

Violence and revenge occurred many times in the story of Romeo and Juliet. For instance, the cousin of Juliet (Tybalt) was attacked by Romeo because Tybalt used violence to kill Romeo’s best friend. Romeo thirsted for revenge. Here is a quote from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt said this famous quote, “Now by the stock and honor of my kin,/ to strike him dead I hold it not a sin,” (Shakespeare ). This is a quote that proves that revenge was strong in the story because when Romeo showed up at a Capulet’s party, Tybalt was outraged and wanted to fight Romeo because he believed that by being there, Romeo was hurting the pride of his family. The Proof

“Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?” (Shakespeare ). This provoking line said by Mercutio led to a quarrel with swords, ending in Mercutio’s downfall. Tybalt was threatening Romeo, and Mercutio was willing to fight him because he loved his best friend and didn’t want to see him be treated that way. This is a perfect example of some of the violence that took place in the story, and still happens today. More Proof

Those events led up to Mercutio’s death and Romeo’s sudden act of revenge. He avenged his best friend by murdering the person who killed him. As Mercutio died, he had these famous last words, “A plague a’ both your houses! I am sped,” (Shakespeare ). As you see, simple acts of violence and revenge caused great consequences (Romeo was banished from Verona). This is just some of the violence that happens in the story of Romeo and Juliet. Even More Proof

Revenge and violence are interchangeable. Revenge can lead to violence by pride, jealousy, loyalty, and many other reasons. Those reasons can cause a need for revenge. People who “need” revenge can act out with violence. Violence can lead to revenge because violence can cause harm and hurt feelings to people which can cause them to want revenge. Revenge is then an avenue to gain back their pride or avenge a friend. These timeless problems are relevant to both Shakespearian and modern times. How Does the Need for Revenge Lead to Violence and Vice Versa Today?

 Crime/brute force is a commonly found among youth  One of the causes of violence (in teenagers) is drug abuse  Gangs can be a trigger for violence amongst high school-aged youth  Another major cause of violence is teen dating/romances Violence in Teenagers

 Revenge is commonly used in politics such as the most recent election. Revenge was uses amongst the two parties when they were mad at each other. They made speeches and commercials that spoke negittivly of the other side.  Revenge is also used in sporting events today. Especially ones as important as the olympics. Revenge Today

 The typical teen is selfish, violent, rude, rebellious, risk-taking, and vengeful  Teenagers show aggression easily when provoked or angered  Teenagers exhibit force and power through fights, verbal arguments, and mental games Teenagers

Crime is found greatly among youth. Romeo and Juliet were only young teenagers when all of the drama began. The feud with the Capulets and Montegues was kind of like a gang fight, where two opposite sides fought. One of the big causes for violence in teens is because of gangs and poor choices. Teenage dating and romances is also a trigger for what happened because if Romeo hadn’t gone to the Capulet ball to see Rosaline, he wouldn’t have fallen for Juliet. Their romance was a main cause for the violence to occur. How It Relates Back Then

Before Mercutio died, he said, “A plague a’ both your houses! I am sped,” (Shakespeare ). Mercutio died because of Tybalt’s revenge on his family’s pride. It was something that didn’t even concern him, and because of the fighting between the two families, it was his doom. Most fights in Romeo and Juliet were caused by revenge for bruised pride or slayed friends. The main characters of the story were rebellious, emotional teenagers. Being too much of these things can lead to over-dramatic, uncalled for aggression. How It Relates Back Then Pt. 2

The element of revenge in Romeo and Juliet is kind of like revenge shown today in teenagers and even politics. The Capulets and Montagues were like the two presidential parties in the recent election. They fought for revenge on bruised pride. Vengeful teenagers resort to violence much like Romeo did when his best friend was killed. Tybalt said, “Now, but the stock and honor of my kin,/ to strike him dead I hold it not a sin,” (Shakespeare ). Tybalt’s family pride was hurt when Romeo came to the Capulet’s party (so he thought). In order to get revenge, he sought to fight Romeo. Teenagers today get in fights all the time because they feel the need for revenge on something someone did or said to/about them. How It Relates Today

Question: How does the need for revenge lead to violence and affect teenagers? Thesis : T he need for revenge leads to violence and affects teenagers because it’s in a teen’s nature to be violent and vengeful after being wronged. The things that they do for revenge can cause harm and tragedy in another’s life. To Sum It Up…