William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Romeo, a Montague and Juliet, a Capulet are from two different

households that are sworn enemies. They often have petty feuds so

there is a law that prevents them from fighting. However this law is

broken and leads to a lot of deaths. This shows the fragile society in

which the two lovers meet.

Romeo, who is madly in love with Roselyn a Capulet, has gate crashed a

ball at the Capulet's house hoping to see her. Roselyn however is not

interested. Then Romeo sees Juliet and instantly falls in love with

her not knowing she is a Capulet. They meet, talk and kiss. Them

Juliet is rushed away by her maid who tells her that Romeo is a

Montague and the only son of her enemy. At this point Romeo also finds

out that Juliet is a Capulet but neither of them are deterred by this

and Romeo returns to Juliet after the party to make vows of their

love.

The first meeting is a happy and passionate occasion. Romeo and Juliet

instantly fall in love. This is a complete contrast to the second time

they meet in the Capulet's tomb. Romeo has had news that Juliet is

dead and risks his life to go to Verona to see for himself. He gets to

the tomb and Paris, Juliet's fiancé is there. Romeo tells him to leave

but he refuses so they have a fight and Paris is killed. Romeo says

his last words to Juliet and drinks the poison he has bought before

coming to the tomb, and dies. Straight after he dies Juliet wakes up

to find him dead. She is so upset she does not want to live and stabs

herself.

The Elizabethan times were very different from today. Boys and girls

got married at a very young age, boys at fourteen and girls at twelve.

Juliet is twelve years old and Romeo is fourteen so they are quite

young when they get married. Girls had very few rights. Parents would

decide whom they married and their word would be final.