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Homophobia

Ah... Romeo & Juliet, that bastion of Shakespearean drama in high school. Who knew it would expose students to the lusts of homosexuality? I mean, gosh! "Juliet was played by a guy and then they kissed? EWWWW!"

We've barely gone through Act 1, Scene 1 and I've already had to explain about:

  • Actors act - just because a guy kissed a guy 400 years ago, doesn't mean that Shakespeare, or anyone else involved in the play, was gay.
  • No one really cares that Alexander was gay. Acting as Alexander in a movie does not make Colin Ferrall gay (thank God!). The same goes for Will & Grace.
  • No, the actors who played women during the 16th/17th centuries were not eunuchs. Also, no to describing what a eunuch is - that's why we have dictionaries.
  • "My naked weapon is out" is not a sexual reference
  • "Ho!" means now!, attention! or hey!. Capulet is not calling his wife a ho'.
  • A nun is someone who takes vows to never get married, have children and live a good life. Romeo's love wants to be a nun... he's not complaining because "she's a tease who won't give it up." (Exactly how rural do you have to be to not know what a Nun is? I know there's not a lot out there these days... but sheesh!)

This is going to be a fun month!

Comments

A Red Mind in a Blue State said…
I have a 14 year old who just red it-- she hates reading (so she says) but she loved R&J. Go figure.

Think the kids will try to convert the death scenes into an episode of CSI-Verona?
12:51 PM
Jenna said…
Actually, that sounds like a really good idea!
4:29 PM
Anonymous said…
I would expect rural persons to be more likely to know what a nun is.
7:49 AM
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