Rostand's cast of characters exhibits all of the angst, judgment, tension, drama, naivety, and quasi-love that can be found in most public school cafeterias between the hours of 10:00-12:00. That means your students should have no problem relating to these characters, once you point out their more teenage characteristics. 

Using real historical figures and events as a backdrop, the play reveals how silly we all can be when we let our emotions and biases cloud our judgment. It's Romeo & Juliet meets Les Miserables meets Secret Admirer. The language, hijinks, sweet sword fights, and deception pour out plenty for analysis: literary, psycho, and otherwise.