William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

‘The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’ a supposedly superb play written by

Arthur Brooke in 1562. A period of between thirty two and thirty four

years passed before Shakespeare took Brookes idea and changed it

slightly. Some believe (such as Arthur Brooke fans and those that

don’t know of the differences between the two stories) that William

Shakespeare unfairly stole his idea and that he doesn’t deserve any

credit for it. During the time of writing Romeo and Juliet,

Shakespeare was unhappily married to Anne Heathway, with three

children. He made huge alterations such as adding essential characters

into his version: The Nurse- Juliet’s carer and Mercuito – Romeo’s

crazy, loud best friend. Brookes play was based over a long period of

9 months whereas Shakespeare’s was 5 days. Brooke also made his

characters older- Juliet and Romeo in their later teens. Whereas

Shakespeare changed Juliet to just 13yrs old and Romeo 15.

Two star crossed lovers, destined to meet. Juliet Capulet and Romeo

Montague (two families at war). Instantly fall in love once crossing

paths at the Capulets grand party. So stricken by cupid’s arrow within

days they secretly are married by Friar Laurence. On that Monday, the

same day the two where wedded, Tybalt sets out to fight Romeo, Romeo

sees Tybalt as his blood now and refuses to fight. Joker and close

friend to Romeo, Mercuito is then murdered by Tybalt. Blinded by fury,

rage and pain Romeo then chases and murders Tybalt. Shortly afterwards

banished from Verona and his true love, Juliet and Friar diverse a

plan, Juliet takes a potion to make her appear dead for 42hrs, to

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having a true love is becoming less and less common. We are excited

and happy to see real love around us or actually be in a true love

relationship. I also think courtly love is important to a modern

audience as they can relate and understand what the characters may be

going through. Modern audiences may also compare their own experiences

with the characters.

I think Romeo’s love for Rosaline at the start of the play is most

likely what I feel when meeting new boys- you tend to over react and

confuse courtly love for real love. It has not affected my own views

on love though… I still believe what I’ve always believed. That love

can occur at any place or time, love controls you and you cannot

control it. And that it’s possible there’s more than one person out

there for everyone, it’s just a case of finding them.