“Romeo and Juliet had to die; do you understand that?” My friends and I, sitting in our Ninth Grade Honor’s English class, were flabbergasted when we heard Mrs. Feldhausen say this. We drew in our breath in surprise and began to argue with her: “No, they didn’t! It was just a series of really foolish mistakes that led them to die.” “Nothing had to happen; it’s a story.” “Shakespeare could have written the story however he wanted.” Our teacher patiently listened to each of our objections; and, when we had quieted down, she began to speak. “The love that is […]