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Author: Jessica Buck
Categories: High School, Literature

Sure, Shakespeare can be kind of confusing. But, leave the doths and thees behind, and you've got a story any teen can understand. At its core, this is a story of forbidden love between two lustful teens who defy their parents and society in order to be together. Bet you’ve got their attention now!

Here's a teen-friendly refresher course in the plot of this classic work of literature, as well as SAT vocabulary your teen can use to describe what happens for themselves.

The Capulets and Montagues are families with wealth, class, distinction, not to mention bloodlust.  In fact, they are mortal enemies-- feuding and fighting for so long no even remembers the reason. 

Words that describe the relationship between the families are:

  • Foe- one who has hatred for another
  • Rancor- bitter hatred
  • Abhorrence- the state of hatred
  • Reprehensible- blameworthy
  • Obstinate- stubborn

So, how do the children of mortal enemies fall in love? Why, at a costume party, of course!  Hidden behind masks, Romeo and Juliet exchange significant glances, do a bit of hand holding, and follow it up with a single (okay, maybe more than a single…) kiss and manage to fall hopelessly in love.  Even when their true identities are revealed, their passion only grows!

Words that describe Romeo and Juliet are:

  • Amorous- strongly in love
  • Heedless- careless
  • Rash- impulsive
  • Reckless- irresponsible
  • Impetuous- impulsive

And if that weren’t enough to keep the pages turning, there are truly tasteless teases and stirring swordfights that banter back and forth between the Capulets and Montagues.  Truly, this is a play that should be R rated!

Words that describe the interactions between the families are:

  • Vulgar- rude
  • Bawdy- obscene
  • Lewd- obscene
  • Querulous- always complaining
  • Truculent- aggressively hostile

It just wouldn’t be quality Elizabethan Theater without a bloody ending. Romeo and Juliet get married in secret, and heads start to roll. A simple street fight leads to the death of Romeo’s friend Mercutio. Caught up in the moment, Romeo slays Juliet’s cousin Tybalt and is banished from Verona. In order to be with him, Juliet fakes her own death overlooking one key detail-- clear the plan with Romeo first! Romeo hears of Juliet’s death and rushes to her side. Moments before Juliet wakes from her sleeping potion, in a moment of true sentimental stupidity, he drinks a fatal poison and dies. Juliet finds her true love dead beside her and- after taking one last kiss- dramatically stabs herself with a dagger. 

Words that describe the twists and turns are:

  • Covert- secret
  • Collusion- plotting in secret
  • Strife- bitter struggle
  • Calamitous- deeply miserable
  • Misfortune- distressing event

And your teen thought Shakespeare was boring?