Does Shakespeare create realistic teens in Romeo and Juliet?

Answer 1

Shakespeare, in his play Romeo and Juliet, portrays Juliet Capulet as thirteen years old, two weeks from her fourteenth birthday. Romeo Montagu is portrayed in various adaptations of the play as being between fourteen and twenty-four; Shakespeare doesn't specify Romeo's age.

Whether the play is accurate in its portrayal of a teenager, or two teenagers, in love depends entirely upon one's point of view.

Both characters are from noble and wealthy families: Juliet is sole heir to the Capulet estates. Juliet is sheltered and naive; Romeo the opposite.

Shakespeare's description of the young couple's quick infatuation is certainly accurate in its view of aspects of some teenage love affairs, though people of any age can, and do, fall in love just as quickly.

The disastrous end to the tale demonstrates the depth and strength of Romeo's and Juliet's love for one another at the time of their deaths.

Possibly, had they survived and gone on to live out their marriage with the approval of their families and community, they'd have enjoyed many years of blissful happiness.

Or perhaps they might have grown apart as both matured and Juliet began to learn more of the world outside her protected upbringing, while Romeo faced the reality and responsibilities of married life.

We'll never know. If Shakespeare had wanted us to know for sure, he'd have written the play quite differently; as it is, he's given us immense food for thought, and possibilities limited only by our imaginations.

Answer 2

What Shakespeare was probably trying to portray was not so much a teenager in love, but a teenager acting the stereotype of someone in love. He saved the portrayal of someone really in love for act II. There was a definite stereotype of lovers in Shakespeare's day, and Romeo does fit it in Act I. His portrayal of a real lover in Act II is timeless.

Answer 3

To some extent yes, but they were idealised.