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It Was Juliet, Not Romeo, Who Said That

"'What's in a name?' inquires Romeo in the Bard's famed tale of doomed love." Thus begins "All in the Family" (Performing Arts, Jan. 7). Actually, Romeo does not so inquire, because the line in question belongs to Juliet (Act II, Scene 2).

And, yes, it is a big deal. If writers, and by extension the publications for which they write, can not be bothered to get the easy stuff right, why in the world would their readers trust them on matters that might require more research than a minute's perusal of Bartlett's Familiar (though obviously not familiar enough) Quotations, or 15 seconds on Google? Furthermore, since the article deals with Rachel Kempson's lifelong fascination with the role of Juliet, the quote is much more appropriate properly attributed to that character.

Lastly, although it is not uncommon for the author of Romeo and Juliet to be referred to as the "Bard of Avon," "bard" simply means "a lyric poet," of which there are many. Given the manner in which this piece began, it causes one to wonder whether you just do not know, and can not be bothered to look up, how to spell "S-H-A-K-E-S-P-E-A-R-E."

M.C. Ryne

We apologize for the mistake.


Comment From a Reader at TucsonWeekly.com

Regarding "Hidden Agenda?" (Currents, Dec. 31):

I'm a bit disgusted this article was even written. As a graduate of the Sonoran Science Academy, I'll vouch for the fact that I wasn't brainwashed into any sort of Turkish nationalist movement. Quite honestly, I came out of that school knowing no more about Turkey or anything related to the country than I did going in. What I did learn was a great deal of math, English, history, government, economics, etc. What a pity that I actually got a normal education! Sorry to thwart these schemes. All in all, I believe this anonymous parent is just disgruntled because their little sweetheart wasn't smart enough to cut it at a good school.

—cbischoff