Romeo And Juliet 9th Grade Curriculum Essay

2069 Words9 Pages

Should Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet still be included in the 9th grade curriculum? William Shakespeare has been being taught repeatedly for hundreds of years. However some people think his world renowned play is not relevant in the 9th grade curriculum. Students should not study Romeo and Juliet. One of the reasons Romeo and Juliet should not be included in the 9th is because it promotes teen suicide. Just because there was turmoil and depression suicide is never the answer. Another reason Romeo and Juliet should not be included in the 9th grade curriculum is because Shakespeare’s writing is too complicated and hard to understand. Romeo and Juliet is a very long play and takes up too much time that can be used for something much more …show more content…

One reason shakespeare should not be included in the 9th grade curriculum is because it promotes suicide.The way the play is often taught does have a tendency to glamorize suicide. Romeo and Juliet are seen as the ultimate lovers, who could never be without one another. Their love is idealized, and their suicide is seen as the final desperate act of love. In fact, the story’s focus on them encourages such a reading, and such an adaptation. In Lurhmann’s movie, for example, they are certainly shown that way.The thing is, though, the play isn’t written that way. It’s clear throughout that the lovers are depressed and looking for a way out. Both families use their children to set up alliances without seeing what they want, leading to a very palpable lack of control that the teens face. They marry in secret, with the friar openly telling them that he wants their marriage to bring the families together, which is a huge burden on them. The behavior of both teens change dramatically in a very short period of time, and their hopelessness and grief is palpable. The