Before reading/watching Romeo and Juliet, I always assumed it was just a sad, overhyped love story. I had heard about the tragic ending and thought it was just another tale of two people making bad decisions. But after actually reading a bit of the story and watching the play, I found myself far more invested than I expected.
One thing that stood out to me was how young and impulsive the characters are. The version of the movie we watched made that even clearer, since the actors actually looked like teenagers. Seeing Romeo and Juliet as kids who barely know each other but are convinced they’re in love really changed how I viewed the story. It made me think about how people often mistake intense emotions for something deeper, and how the rush of the moment can lead to reckless decisions. Romeo, for example, is wildly emotional—one moment, he’s in despair over Rosaline, and the next, he’s madly in love with Juliet. That made me question if he even truly loved Juliet, or if he was just caught up in the thrill of something new. It also reminded me of how quickly emotions can cloud judgment, especially in youth.
Another thing that struck me was how much miscommunication and bad timing played a role in the tragedy. If just one thing had gone differently—if Friar Laurence’s letter had been delivered, if Juliet had woken up a few minutes earlier—the whole story would have ended differently. That made me think about how often real-life situations spiral out of control due to simple misunderstandings. It was frustrating to see everything go wrong for them, but at the same time, it made the play feel more realistic. Life often doesn’t give people second chances, and Romeo and Juliet captures that brutal truth in a way that still resonates centuries later.
Despite the tragedy, I actually found myself enjoying the play. The poetic language, the dramatic intensity, and even the moments of humor (like the banter between Mercutio and the Nurse) made it more engaging than I expected. It’s also a story that sparks a lot of different emotions—frustration at the characters’ choices, sadness over their fate, and even admiration for the way Shakespeare captures the highs and lows of love. In the end, even though Romeo and Juliet is heartbreaking, I can see why it has remained so popular. It’s not just a love story—it’s a reflection on impulsive decisions, fate, and the consequences of long-standing hatred.
Now that I’ve actually experienced Romeo and Juliet, I’d say it’s one of my favorite plays. I don’t know many yet, but this one definitely set a high bar. It made me think more deeply about love, consequences, and how emotions can shape decisions. I expected to just tolerate it, but instead, I found myself completely pulled into the world of Verona. And while I still think the characters made bad choices, I also understand them in a way I didn’t before. That, to me, is what makes Romeo and Juliet such a powerful story.