Towards a Study of Potentially Tragic Romantic Events of Romeo and Juliet Style (Happening in the World Today and Mythological):

Abstract

Incidents reported in the media have led to the choice of 'potentially tragic romantic events' as a topic for personal research. One such report was in the Guardian Weekly some time ago and involved an Indian man who hanged his son in public view for proceeding with a liaison that offended the family in their cultural setting. Another incident was the killing by sniper fire of a couple attempting to leave the city during the Balkan wars. The bridge where this happened is now called the Romeo and Juliet bridge. My background is in medicine, having graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1960, and later specialising in pathology and sexual health medicine. Coronial autopsy work has made me aware of youth suicide, and there is a story within my own family of one of my uncles committing suicide as a young man because he was not allowed to marry the girl of his choice. Voluntary pathology work has taken me to Nepal and my first visit was shortly after the royal massacre in 2001 where it is reputed that Crown Prince Diprendra, heir to the monarchy, killed his family having been forbidden by his mother to marry the girl of his choice. However, also from Nepal is the story of a couple who now enjoy good relationships with the woman's parents although at the time she had to elope and it took two years and the birth of a child before reconciliation was realised. In this study an attempt will be made to document and critically analyse stories, events and responses made by people involved, and to look for grounded theory pertinent to the responses of people and communities involved.