A coming-of-age tale is also known as a
Bildungsroman. It's a type of story that focuses on a child or teenager facing at least one
major conflict. The conflict could result in emotional, spiritual, and/or moral development. In
, bothandare racing to grow up, but at a young age, they are faced with deeply tragic
experiences that lead them to life-and-death choices.
Love is one major
conflict that reflects the concept of this Bildungsroman. Juliet, at age thirteen, and Romeo,
around age seventeen, are learning what it means to have deep feelings for another person. While
it can be argued that these two aren't actually in love, their naivety blinds them and causes
them to believe they understand what love is. They attempt to find their identities within each
other, not realizing the destruction they are causing. They are trying to navigate the adult
world as innocent children, and they refuse the advice of anyone who disagrees with their
choices.
Within these feelings of "love," they lose themselves.
They are unaware of what it means to be married and grow as individuals and as a couple. The two
teens make a secret pact and fight to stay together, but they miss every lesson possible. Their
ignorance leads them to their final resting place, which actually reveals the true coming-of-age
message of not rushing into relationships and the importance of maintaining one's identity in
love.
Through this , the reader learns the difference between infatuation and
love and how impulsive actions can have dire consequences. Ironically in this Bildungsroman, the
two main characters aren't actually able to grow because they refuse to see the lessons and the
signs attempting to keep them safe from harm. They ignore rationality, lean deep into their
emotions, and believe their immoral choices are justified. In turn, it is the reader who
receives the real coming-of-age message within events of the play.
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