Romeo and Juliet go blogging

Is this play too old to matter? Should high school students read this play? Note: only serious responses will be posted.

What pressures and conflicting interests influence love today? Are we free to love who we want or do other considerations play a part?

How much responsibility do the Capulet and Montague families deserve for the double suicide? Does the fault lie with the families or the impulsive, rash actions of teenage Romeo and Juliet?

The original text shows Romeo killing Paris in the Capulet tomb in the end of the play. Why does director Zefferelli cut this scene from his film?

In addition to filling the position of holy man, Friar Lawrence is a confidante to Romeo and Juliet. He is instrumental to their marriage and course of actions. Did you expect Friar Lawrence to abandon Juliet as he did in the end of the play? What do you think was most pressing on his mind?

Here are some interesting lines pulled from Romeo as he weeps over Rosaline.

Romeo: 195 ….she’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow, she hath Dian’s wit;
And in strong proof of chastity well arm’d
From love’s weak childish bows she lives uncharm’d.

Essentially, Romeo is being melodramatic and expresses Rosaline will not love him back. Not words, riches, or even Cupid has power over her. She is a virgin and she has armor to protect her.

Romeo speaks about love as if it were a magical force to be deposited upon the head of the one you admire. Do you agree? How does love develop? What ingredients are necessary?