Thursday, October 7, 2010

In Romeo and Juliet, is Juliet a good role model?

Juliet is a very bad role model for young women today for several reasons.


First, her choice of romantic partners is terrible. Romeo was in love with another girl, went to the ball, saw Juliet, and decided he was in love with her on first sight. Immediately and without second thoughts or regrets, he loses interest in the girl he previously claimed to love. He is also attracted to Juliet mainly because of her physical appearance, something that does not bode well for a long-term relationship. This suggests he is by nature fickle, superficial, and untrustworthy—not ideal traits for a life partner. 


Second, Juliet is, at the time of the play, thirteen years old. By our standards, this would make Romeo a pedophile. Thirteen is far too young to marry or make other important life decisions. At thirteen, one has crushes, but these tend to be short-lived and superficial, even if they are intense. 


Finally, Juliet's agreeing to marry Romeo eventually leads to the deaths of Romeo, Juliet, and Paris and brings great suffering on their families and friends.

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