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.
Everyday there is something that one must interpret whether it is a book, movie, or even the news. One must come to one’s own conclusion about the information they are interpreting. For instance movies are mostly easier to understand then books though the plots may have slight differences.
Although they are the basis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, these main characters are dull, undynamic, and do not specifically appeal to certain readers. Nurse could be considered as a more interesting character because she brings her wit, drama and insight into the plotline.
wither in their pride/ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” From
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet At the beginning of the play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is portrayed as
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeare's plays he very rarely used original ideas. Most of the plays he wrote, such as "Romeo and Juliet," were adapted from other people's stories. Shakespeare used these ideas as basic outlines for his plays.
of life: if something is meant to be, it will be, no matter what the
His love for Rosaline is great but yet she can not say the same and
“Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, still-waking sleep, that is not what this is” (Shakespeare 1.1. 179-180). A string of contradictions explain the love story of Romeo and Juliet, a contradiction. Some critics consider this story a tragedy because Shakespeare once wrote; “the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves”. While others say it does not follow the standard Aristotelian form of tragedy (Krims 1). Romeo and Juliet can not be a tragedy because no flaw causes them to fall, the lovers, could not have controlled fate, and family and friends assisted them to their deaths.
In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare reveals an underlying message that points to the contrasts between youth and age that are even apparent now today. The youth of society tend to question and then possibly disregard the rules that are important to their parents if they do not have good reason to believe in these rules. The rebellious actions of youth can eventually cause their own untimely destruction. We see today in the headlines many instances where teens have followed their own unguided course bringing about tragic results. Shakespeare shows us in his play how these factors contributed to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
Although the story of Romeo and Juliet is over 500 years old, it is as relevant and appealing today as it was when first performed.
The character in the play, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, that I think has the largest impact on the audience is probably the Friar. Although the Friar might not have that big of a role, he was the one with the plan that got Romeo and Juliet killed. Some people might say that it was Juliet’s fault because she was the one that was so desperate for a plan to get her and Romeo together, the Friar had no choice but to go along. But still, the Friar was the one that came up with a plan. That plan might not have worked for many reasons, but the Friar didn’t think ahead.
forget,' and so we don't expect that by the next act Romeo will be out
The Webster's Dictionary defines "fate" as "Predetermined and inevitable necessity; that power which is thought to determine one's future, success or failure, etc." In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, his pair of star-crossed lovers (Juliet and Romeo) are fated to meet, fall in love, and take their lives. But does their predestined demise have an equally as important purpose? And, if so, should the Prince's final edict be carried out, and should any of those involved be punished?
Romeo & Juliet Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's most popular play. It is the most retold and reiterated since it deals with everyday aspects of life such as love, tragedy, and in particular, family. The roles of parents and "substitute" parents are important in this play. The biological parents of Romeo and Juliet are supposed to act as role models and guides for their children, but ironically, it is the substitute parents, Friar Laurence and the Nurse, who are only seemingly supportive of Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately, neither the biological nor substitute parents could prevent the tragic ending.