Interpreting Rituals In William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

What About Romeo and Justin? I’m not sure if Shakespeare got the memo, but LGBTQ+ love is valid too. It’s difficult for me to read Romeo and Juliet, a story that glorifies heterosexual love, when I know that many of my peers don’t see themselves represented in the characters. Most schools in the United States are based on a heteronormative mindset, meaning heterosexuality is widely accepted as “normal,” while LGBTQ+ identities are categorized as “different” or “unnatural.” For queer youth, it can be difficult to find representation in literature. Many teens identify with a sexuality other than straight, yet the books in school curriculum fail to represent them. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is no longer relevant to teens, because it does not include LGBTQ+ characters or relationships.

The story encourages readers to romanticize heterosexual couples, enforcing a gender binary that excludes LGBTQ+ relationships. In particular, Shakespeare emphasizes the tradition that men would perform the act of courting women. This courting ritual was very important in developing a relationship, and later marriage. This is highlighted in a scene in which Juliet apologizes for seeming too easily won over. Juliet says, “In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, / And therefore thou mayst think my havior light. / But trust me, gentleman, I’ll prove more true / Than those that have more coying to be strange” (2.2.103-106). This sexist tradition is obviously outdated, and just isn’t representative of teen relationships today. Furthermore, by confining romantic relationships into a framework that demands opposite genders to comply with roles assigned to them, Shakespeare blatantly excludes gay relationships. What if this scene was between Romeo and a guy named Justin? Who would court whom? I would ask Shakespeare, but… he’s