The Original Teen Couple?

The Greatest Love Story of All

Yea...
For years I have been trying to entice the kids to read good old Willy Shakespeare. Their excuses for not doing so have ranged from "It's written in a dead language" to "How can the works fit into our contemporary life?"
Sigh...they never know what they are missing.

Then...it all came together. Why not show the kids that the angst and heartaches of the first love they lament about are really nothing new? And that the source of inspiration for many a teenage love story of forbidden love can actually be traced to a great ( yet 'ancient') love story? {[a little poetic license here - there is the tale of Pyramus & Thisbe]}

Yes kiddoes...move over Troy and Gabriella (or Edward & Bella)
Presenting the most well-known of all star-crossed lovers - Romeo and Juliet.
(er...the classes I teach will be more familiar with the shepherd boy Angelo and his girl).

Falling in love for the first time is an exhilarating, confusing, intoxicating and special experience. It's walking into unknown territory...and while you feel compelled to do give in to every impulsive you feel, you need to carefully make your way through the minefield of unpredictable emotions at the same time. It's worse for a teenager...whose hormones at different parts of the body do not work in tandem with rational thoughts. (Yes...I confess...I did do many, many, many stupid things donkey years ago too...!)

Anyway, what I managed to do was to get Zarifah interested in the plot first. Then I told her about the movie versions available. There are many...but I want to get you hooked to the Franco Zeffirelli's version....watch it before you read the book.
According to my girl, she loves the Romeo who looks likes Zac Efron , and watch out for one of the most beautiful girls who managed to capture the essence of what Juliet must have been like...Olivia Hussey.

If you watch the clips on Youtube...do not be put off by the words...just watch the actions, and the expressions of the young lovers...
And the young men out there, you may learn a thing a two about chilvary, and the language of love.

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
(Romeo & Juliet - Act 2 Sc II)

Which girl (...make that which woman) would not swoon, at such a tribute?
Hehehehehe....be still my heart.





The clip is rather long...but let me tell you, it's worth it.
Enjoy.