Addiction in Society

Addiction--the thematic malady for our society--entails every type of psychological and societal problem.

Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D., has been researching and treating addiction since he wrote Love and Addiction (1975). He also wrote 7 Tools to Beat Addiction. See full bio

February 8, 2009, Creativity

Comments on "Taking Words Seriously - Romeo and Juliet are Troubled Kids"

Taking Words Seriously - Romeo and Juliet are Troubled Kids

By Stanton Peele on February 8, 2009 in Addiction in Society

As I have written previously, bloggers quickly learn that most people are simply waiting when reading something to offload their own opinions. A recent reader of my post on Romeo and Juliet, a play I point out is a case study of fatal love addiction, commented that "Your article trivializes a great piece of poetry, and fails to appreciate Shakespeare's real knowledge of human nature."

Not surprisingly, I disagree. Romeo and Juliet is not a paean to young love - it's more a funeral bier to immaturity. Read More

I do not deny your analysis

Submitted by Adam on February 8, 2009 - 9:10am.

I do not deny your analysis of Romeo and Juliet as characters, however I find you are also underestimating the scope of Romeo and Juliet's tragedy. The problem is, the play is set up like all great tragedies: avoiding the destiny (death) is literally made impossible, but the play gives just enough hope for us to think that the two lovers may yet make it out ok.

In our society's reading, it is said "Oh gosh, if only those meddling Montagues and Capulets could just get along, then the kids could love each other and everything would work out." This misses exactly what you point out in this and the previous blg.

However, your reading falls into the same trap, I think. "If only those two kids could get some therapy, then they could work everything out." This completely downplays the importance of Romeo and Juliet's environment.

ANY attempt at stability is literally impossible. Honestly, the only two "helpful" characters are the Nurse and Father Lawrence, who are, lets be perfectly frank, not all that great at helping anybody. Everyone else is either completely wrapped up in what is essentially gang warfare, or otherwise actively trying to control the two love-struck teenagers. Oh yeah, they're teenagers. 16 and 14, respectively. How many kids that age do you know who have any degree of self-awareness/control, especially if they are love addicted?

Anyways, I'm not saying you're wrong. The two main characters are completely off their rockers. But you're analysis is cut short, and misses the powerful influence of the world they inhabit. Also consider, the tragedy is not just about Romeo and Juliet. It is characteristic of the tragedy genre that the events not only destroy the lives of the main characters, but also of a great deal of the society as well. An entire generation of the wealthiest families in Verona is killed. Those families and their wealth are essentially destroyed by the actions of both families. In this case, Romeo and Juliet's suicide make more sense symbolically: it's exactly what the Montagues and Capulets did to themselves.

not bad

Submitted by Stanton Peele on February 8, 2009 - 9:19am.

I respect any opinion which takes account of the facts of the matter (or the words and scenes of the play). But I don't think therapy would solve R&J's issues -- as you indicate I do. I look on Father Lawrence as Romeo's therapist (if you read my post). He is either as successful as current therapists, or an example of the sad situation we had prior to the advent of our great modern therapies -- depending on your point of view.