Romeo & Juliet (2013) Discussion Guide

Parent/Teen Movie Night
This film can help trigger meaningful dialogue on the consequences of being led by passion, the meaning of love, and the danger of passing on a legacy of hate.

Questions:

1. The moment he sees Juliet, Romeo immediately “falls in love” with her. Romeo makes several rash decisions based on his “love” for Juliet. Do you think their love is true love? Read 1 Corinthians 13. How do Romeo and Juliet reflect the kind of love discussed in this verse? How do they fail to reflect these attributes of love?
2. Read 2 Timothy 2:22. What does the Bible say about the kind of passion Romeo experiences? 
3. How do you think Romeo could have avoided many of the bad things that happened to him and the people he cares about?
4. How did the history of hatred between the Montague and Capulet families affect the young people in the story? Read Numbers 14:18. What does this passage say about the sins of older generations? What should we learn from this verse and from the story of Romeo and Juliet?
5. What do you think about Romeo’s and Juliet’s decision to commit suicide? Read Genesis 9:6 and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. What do these verses say about suicide?

Answers:

1. Romeo and Juliet are not patient, they frequently lose hope, and they do not show much perseverance. Although they have both entered a time of life when they should begin putting aside childish ways, neither of them make very wise or mature decisions. 
2. The Bible tells us to flee “the evil desires of youth.” It speaks about this sort of passion as though it is dangerous and sinful. 
3. Answers may vary. He could have avoided most of the bad things by simply reigning in his passions and by listening to advice (Proverbs 12:15).
4. Although they ultimately died because of their own unwise actions, many young people in the film died as an indirect result of the legacy of hatred that their parents had passed on to them. The Bible says that children pay for the sins of their fathers. This is why we should always be careful about our decisions and our attitudes in life. They don’t just affect us or our friends—they will one day affect our children and grandchildren as well. 
5. According to these verses, Romeo and Juliet dishonored God by committing suicide. Their bodies are not their own. They are God’s special creations and have no right to kill themselves.