Do you have any ideas on how I can make reading Romeo and Juliet interesting for my 10th grader? He does not like literature. I'm having a hard time motivating him to do his best in the subject, because he dislikes it so much. I remember not liking literature in school too, but I also remember a teacher making a book such as "The Scarlet Letter" interesting. What kind of tools would you suggest? Are there any videos that we can watch together towards the end of the reading to bring it all together? I'm going to read it also, and try to help him understand it, but I don't know how to make it interesting or exciting for him. Thanks in advance!
My 5th grader and I read this play last year and she loved it! We read the play and then watched the movie we got from our library. If reading the play is difficult and Shakespeare is a new thing you are doing you may want to get a copy of Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare. It is a great book! It tells the stories but not in play form. We still use this book because the plays are kind of dry - especially when not used to the wording. And to truely study Shakespeare you must watch the play or movie. I believe Shakespeare is to be seen not read. If your child never reads the actual plays that is okay because he is still being exposed to it.
I do not know what you are required to do in your state but does he have to read Romeo and Juliet or can he choose something else? If he has to do it, then I would suggest purchasing The Yale Shakespeare, THE COMPLETE WORKS. Each page is annotated so the average reader can comprehend. It breaks down Shakespear's work and helps the student to understand the words used. Yet it still contains his complete works. Does he have other homeschool friends who can read the play with him. This might make it more interesting. I wish I could be more help. I can see how this can be tough if he doesn't care for literature. Patty
I would highly suggest watching the 1990s version on film starring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. It would be far more interesting to a teenage boy than any other version. It's modern in setting, but keeps to the original script. Be prepared to discuss some pretty adult and racy topics, as Shakespeare is full of bawdy language and references, and R&J contains more than usual (most teens don't get this because they are not taught to actually understand his writings, just get through enough to get an idea of the plot). Make sure that he understands Shakespeare's intent in writing R&J. It's not the great love story that modern romantics like to believe. It's a mockery of the upper class dramatic lifestyles. It was meant to make a political statement. These two teens were not in love. They were in lust and horribly confused, being pushed into marriage with practical strangers (Juliet and Paris). Marrying each other was an act of rebellion, and a way to take control of their own destinies. In truth, R&J is not one of Shakespeare's best works. And that would be an understatement. If you can choose something else, I would. I doubt I'll ever bother with it with my boys. It's pretty much drivel. If you are trying to study the language, which is a worthwhile cause, I would focus more on something like King Leer or Julius Cesar. There is a lot of history to be had there. Even The Tempest or A Midsummer Night's Dream would be better than R&J. IMHO, of course. Romeo and Juliet is the play that most people who've studied Shakespeare wish would never have been published. So, take that for what it's worth. But if you do decide to follow through with R&J, feel free to PM me with questions.
Wow Amie! I highly disagree that R&J is drivel! But each and every person has a right to their own opinions. I love R&J and so does my dd11. I have seen the 90s version and do agree that a teenage boy would prefer it but I really prefer the older version and so does my dd11. I also highly recommend A Midsummer Night's Dream - fantastic!
I'm not a fan of teen soap operas, and it pretty much reads like one. Right from the onset. Romeo loves Rosalind, oh, wait, now he loves Juliet (later that same day, btw). Juliet pitches a tantrum or two over her parents decisions. They hatch an insanely implausible plan to marry (how did they think that would turn out?). Then there's the even more implausible plan for the "suicide". I mean, the whole thing is rather Disney teen drama meets Tim Burton. Then again, I say this as a woman who has little to no respect for the average "chick flick", which is what this reminds me of. So again, I'm biased. Perhaps it's because it's been shoved down my throat for more than a decade. lol. And this is all obviously my opinion. I'm sure there are others out there who would find King Leer drivel (one of my favorites). I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I'm used to running in Theatre circles where most of the people I talk to share my sentiment about R&J. I wasn't even thinking about the possibility of offense when I posted what I did.
Girl you didn't offend me!!! It is all good trust me! I think I like it because I am a romantic - always have been.
Thanks for all the advice! I need to look for the 1990's video version. The reason we are reading it is that we are using Bob Jones for Literature, and that is the next thing in the book. I'm not in favor of skipping it, because I don't want ds to get the wrong idea! But, the explanation in the teachers book ties it to books in the Bible, such as Job and Song of Solomon. Teens can learn from this about making choices. I'm not a big Shakespeare fan but I'm willing to help my ds read and understand some of his works because in some circles (like when we are in Ukraine), knowing classic literature is beneficial. I also like the idea of the other versions of Romeo and Juliet to read. The old English language and style would bore ds to tears. Thanks for the help!
Lol, ActressDancer! A woman after my own heart! I first saw R&J in grade 8 & while everyone else was weeping into their tissues I was desperately trying not to laugh too loud. I thought it was hysterically funny then & a load of old tripe & nothing since has changed my opinion. By the time we got to the star crossed lovers bit I was ROFL. I always did have a waked sense of humour. Kudos to those of you who enjoy this play.
I do not know just how far you desire to look into Romeo and Juliet, but you can go as far as studying Second Quarto, printed by Thomas Creede for Cuthbert Burdy' in 1599. It is considered the most authoritative source of the text of Romeo and Juliet. It sheds light on the fact that Shakespeare took an already made legend, backed by other versions of Romeo and Juliet, or better Romero and Giulietta, and contributed a story of star-crossed lovers and social disorder. I took this quote from The Yale Shakespeare, “…the essential features of Shakespeare’s plot first appear in the thirty-third story of Masuccio Salernitano’s Novellino, published in Naples in 1476.” You can find other stories written after Masuccio's and before Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I am under the impression that Shakespeare took bits and pieces of the legend and put it together with a Renaissance political theory, which takes it way beyond the context of a romance novel. At the same time, modern movies have slaughtered, what I consider to be an awesome story from who I would consider a genious. Any person who can take these stories and unit them by adding poiltics and entangling it with rival families and lovers has to be a genious in my eyes. After all in Masuccio's Noellino, there is no mention of rival families. Shakespeare wanted to thicken the plot. Patty
I personally had to read the Cliff Notes for just about any Shakespeare (or same era) writing. Once I got the main idea, then it was easier to read the actual text. I wouldn't encourage someone to use the Cliff Notes in lieu of reading it of course, but they were helpful in getting me to read the actual text...just my 2 cents. My kiddos aren't there yet. Rhonda C.
I'm considering it for this year, because Ballet Met in Columbus is performing it in the spring. I want to take Rachael. I was told in college that most people consider the lovers' death the tragedy. But the REAL tragedy according to the times was the lovers' disobedience to their parents! It's obvious SOMEONE really enjoys Shakespeare! I was fascinated with the conversation! I would also suggest getting "West Side Story" and discuss the parallels between the two.
