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Essay / The Average Teenage Girl: Every now and then - 991
The story of Romeo and Juliet still holds great importance and significance in today's society, regardless of differences in beliefs and principles between William Shakespeare's audiences 500 years ago and those of today. Teenagers around the world have been able to relate to the play's plot, characters, and themes for centuries. A commonly established relationship is that of Juliet Capulet and the everyday teenager. Although Juliet and I are both very good girls to a certain extent and we are both hopeless romantics who can fall in love too quickly, we are different when it comes to our relationship with our parents and our ability to create witty remarks during a conversation. The fact that Juliette is basically a “goody-two-shoes” is established very early in the play. Moments before the masquerade ball, Juliet discusses the idea of marrying Paris with Mrs. Capulet, to which she responds, "I'll look like I like to move." But I will not thrust my eye deeper than your consent permits…” (I.ii.99-101). Soon after this deal is made, Juliette begins to discover her rebellious side. Sneaking around and lying to his parents, which at one point may have seemed so foreign and ridiculous to him, came naturally after his first meeting with Romeo. However, her parents only suspected this transmutation of Juliette's character the day before her "death", when she refused to marry Paris. After Mrs. Capulet shares what she thinks is wonderful news with Juliet, Juliet defiantly states, "Now I swear...he won't make me a merry wife there...If he please, tell my father… I will not marry yet” (III.v.116-121). Although I have never snuck out of the house to get married, I probably would if I were in the same situation in my life as Mr. Capulet. with Juliette. Although Juliette is jealous of the intimacy and honesty between my parents and me, I envy her spirit. Juliette has the ability to make witty comments during a conversation and make it look effortless. For example, during Romeo and Juliet's conversation about the pilgrims at the feast, she cleverly constructs the statement: "Then have my lips the sin they have committed?" just after Romeo has purged his sin, or kissed her, for him to kiss her again (Iv106). It would take me hours, if not days, to come up with something that simple to say. Usually I'll have the opportunity to say something witty and won't be able to say anything worthwhile until the moment has passed. I've never been good at coming up with interesting things to say, and it's a skill I've always wished I had..