student asking question

I assume the "Montagues and Capulets" are families in Romeo and Juliet. Is it common to mention these families as a metaphor?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, that's right! They are the families of Romeo and Juliet and were famous for fighting and killing each other for many generations. Hating one another was deeply rooted into their family tradition. This analogy is often made to describe two warring or antagonistic groups who are determined to harm one another. Ex: Our families hated each other. It was like Romeo and Juliet. Ex: Even the Montagues and Capulets didn't hate each other as much as Republics and Democrats hate each other.

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