Teenage Runaways In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

47% of teen runaways indicated that a conflict with their parent or guardian was the major reason why they left. This is not unlike the events that occur in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The story follows a pair of young lovers that could never be together. They came from two different households in Verona, Italy (Montagues and Capulets) that were sworn enemies. Because they knew they could never receive their parent’s blessing, they constructed a plan to run away from their families where they could be together forever. Their plan, although very creative, had many flaws and resulted with the death of both Romeo and Juliet. By the time their corpses were found, their families could do nothing to help them. Both household’s greatest

After they kissed at the party, Romeo and Juliet fell deeply in love. The scene turned on a dime when they learned each other's last names. Romeo cries out, “Is she a Capulet?/ O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt,” (I.v.23-24). Juliet is appalled at the fact that her one true love is part of a family she hates. “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (I.v.144). Because their parents’ rules, the pair of young lovers couldn’t openly be with each other. This led to late-night visits and secrecy between the adolescents and their parents. Romeo and Juliet were far too young to make enormous decisions, such as marriage, all on their own. If only they had been able to share their feelings with their elders, such hasty decisions wouldn’t have been necessary. The only person they could turn to for advice in their relationship was Friar Laurence, who helped them not because he had their best intentions in mind, but because he believed it would end the feud between the families. He came up with a plan for Juliet to fake her death and then run off into the sunset with Romeo. Juliet should have realized just how fragile the Friar’s plan really was before it claimed both their lives. Had Romeo and Juliet had been able to consult with their parents, they wouldn’t have had to sacrifice everything to

At the beginning of the play, Juliet was hesitant about marriage. After her mother confronted her about the subject, she responded by saying, “It is an honour that I dream not of” (I.iii.70). Lady Capulet decided to throw a huge gala that night so that Juliet could meet Paris, a potential fiance, to change her mind about getting married. Juliet said in return, “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move;/ But no more deep will I endart mine eye/ Than your consent gives strength to make it fly” (I.iii.101-103). She knows what she wants; and what she wants is to tie the knot with someone she truly loves. She didn’t want to get married simply because her mother wanted her to. During that very gala, Juliet met Romeo and knew he was the one. For obvious reasons, the relationship needed to be kept secret. Had their parents paid closer attention to their kids, they would have known that something weird was going on. Between the constant mood swings and the sarcastic side remarks, it could have been nearly impossible not to notice a change happening. It almost as if the parents valued continuing the rivalry between houses more than the well-being of their only children. By the time the Capulets and Montagues had agreed to settle this ongoing feud, it was too late. They