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BOOK REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

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This is one of Shakespeare’s most famous works, if not the most famous love story in the history of love stories. The central challenge of this couple’s love affair isn’t the usual fare of Shakespeare’s works – e.g. unrequited love, love triangles, or class differences. [There is an issue of unrequited love early in the play between Romeo and Rosaline, but Romeo gets over that girl in a hot minute once he meets Juliet.] The problem is that he meets Juliet by crashing her father’s party while wearing a disguise (a disguise that ultimately doesn’t fool the right people,) and the reason Romeo needs a disguise is because Romeo’s father and Juliet’s father are archenemies. Otherwise, the couple meets all requirements for wooing to commence: they each have feelings for the other, and they are of similar class status. In short, they would be a marriageable couple if their families didn’t hate each other.

[Warning: My Shakespeare reviews are far more spoiler-laden than usual because the stories are well-known to most readers and some find a detailed synopsis useful to make sense of the archaic language.] After an opening that establishes the enmity between the Montagues and Capulets, Romeo and Juliet fall for each other fast and hard, and with lightening speed have wed and consummated the marriage. However, no one other than the priest who married them, Friar Laurence, knows of the wedding. They have to keep the marriage secret because it would get back to the heads of the feuding households immediately.

Soon after the wedding, Tybalt (Juliet’s hot-headed kinsman) goes out looking for Romeo. Tybalt had recognized Romeo at the party, and wanted to fight him then, but Mr. Capulet (Juliet’s father) made him chill out because he didn’t want blood spilled during his party. But the next day Tybalt goes out intent on fighting. Tybalt finds Romeo’s friend (Mercutio) and his kinsman (Benvolio,) and Mercutio ends up crossing blades Tybalt. When Romeo comes on the scene, he steps into the middle of the fray to separate the men, and Tybalt finds an opening to thrust into Mercutio. As Mercutio dies, he famously wishes a “plague on both houses” (meaning Tybalt’s Capulets and Romeo’s Montagues.) Mercutio is but one of many who are completely fed up with the feud between these two families. The Prince of Verona has had it up to his neck with the bickering.

While Romeo is generally more a lover than a fighter, he duels and kills Tybalt immediately after Mercutio’s death. After killing Tybalt, Romeo flees the scene, later to find out he’s been banished from Verona upon threat of death. (Lady Capulet petitions the Prince for Romeo to be executed but the Prince won’t go for it, figuring Tybalt got what was coming to him for picking a fight and stabbing Mercutio. Then Lady Capulet plots to have a hit put out on Romeo, but events outpace her plot.) After meeting with Friar Laurence, Romeo flees to Mantua.

When her family informs Juliet that Tybalt has been slain by Romeo, they think she is broken up about her kinsman’s death. However, she’s really worried about her husband Romeo (who, of course, none of the family knows she’s married to.) When it seems like Juliet’s sadness for Tybalt has gone on long enough, her father sets a post-haste wedding date between Juliet and County Paris (the young man that Capulet favors for his daughter.) This is a problem for Juliet because: a.) she’s already married; and, b.) she deeply loves Romeo and finds Paris sort of Meh! She gets into a tiff with her father who thinks she’s an ungrateful whelp. [In Shakespeare’s day, the debate was whether a girl’s feelings about to whom she should be wed should be empathized with or ignored altogether. The idea that her feelings should be a major consideration was deemed laughable. Her mother comes down on the former side, but Lady Capulet accepts her husband’s conclusion of the alternative.]

Juliet goes to see Friar Laurence, who is a botanical mad scientist on the side. The Friar develops an elaborate scheme. Juliet is to go home, apologize to her father for not jumping on board the marriage train with the boy that her father so dearly loves (but to do so without sarcasm,) and then before going to sleep she will take a potion. This potion, not uncommon in Shakespearean works, will make her appear dead for a time, and then she’ll wake up perfectly fine. The family will take her to their crypt, pending the funeral. Friar Laurence sends a note to Romeo explaining the plan. Romeo is to meet Juliet when she wakes up, and they can then flee to Mantua — their families none the wiser.

Up to this point, this play could be a comedy just as easily as it is a tragedy. Sure, there have been a couple stabbing fatalities, but that’s actually pretty calm stuff compared to some of the comedies. (The dead are secondary characters.) What makes it a tragedy, is that Friar Laurence’s messenger can’t get through to deliver the memo in time because of some Black Death scare. Instead, Romeo’s (the Montague family’s) servant gets there first, and, because he’s not in on the Friar’s plot, tells Romeo the truth as he understands it – i.e. that Juliet is dead. Romeo sneaks back to the Verona cemetery with some poison he got at a shady apothecary on the way. Friar Laurence doesn’t know Romeo didn’t get the priest’s message until Romeo is already rolling up on the crypt, intent on dying with is beloved and so Laurence is late arriving to the scene.

To add to the tragedy, Paris is visiting Juliet’s grave and thinks Romeo is a villain. Romeo and Paris battle it out, and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo – knowing that Paris was betrothed to Juliet but without knowledge of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage – places Paris in the crypt near Juliet. But then he takes up position immediately beside her, and drinks the poison. As soon as Romeo dies, Juliet regains consciousness. She finds Romeo dead, and discovers that there’s not enough of the poison left for her. She tries kissing some poison off him, but when that doesn’t work, she plunges a dagger into her own chest.

After Juliet dies, authorities arrive on the scene having been summoned by a person who heard the duel between Romeo and Paris. The Prince arrives and calls for the heads of the Montague and Capulet households so that they can see what tragedy their feud has caused. The sight of the two dead star-crossed lovers (plus Paris, whom Capulet seemed to love) moves Montague and Capulet to end hostilities.

This is a must read for all readers.

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I’ve been a Shakespeare fan since high school and have played a witch in Macbeth. It helps to learn the old English language and the history to really understand him and his humor. If more folks would do so they would love his work so much more than they do.

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Romeo and juliet, common sense media reviewers.

Tragic teen love story stands the test of time.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Romeo and Juliet is often the first Shakespeare pl

Many lives are lost because the Montagues and Capu

Friar Lawrence is a kind friend who wants to help

In the first scene in the play, Capulets and Monta

Shakespeare's clever wordplay often includes refer

There are a couple of references to drinking wine.

Educational Value

Romeo and Juliet is often the first Shakespeare play that young people read, and it's an excellent introduction to the language and rhythm of his works. Also, Shakespeare's plots, and many of his lines, reappear across many generations of literature; reading Shakespeare is part of a great foundation for further study.

Positive Messages

Many lives are lost because the Montagues and Capulets can't settle their differences in a civilized manner. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet shows how innocence and love can become casualties of hatred.

Positive Role Models

Friar Lawrence is a kind friend who wants to help Romeo unite with his beloved Juliet, and Juliet's nurse is likewise devoted to her young mistress, but both provide more help than guidance. Capulet and Montague are loving parents, but set a very poor example with their incivility. Romeo and Juliet risk their lives and familial relationships for love, which is admirable in a way, but it can't be ignored that they have only just met.

Violence & Scariness

In the first scene in the play, Capulets and Montagues goad each other into a fierce sword battle. Later, after Capulet's cousin Tybalt argues with and stabs Mercutio, Romeo is baited into an argument with Tybalt and kills him with his sword. At the end of the play, there are two more sword deaths and a suicide by poison.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Shakespeare's clever wordplay often includes references to body parts and sex acts -- the words "maidenhead" and "whore" are used creatively, for example. This bawdy language is often highlighted with physical gesturing when the play is staged, but the book is more clever than suggestive. Actual sex, other than kissing, takes place "off-screen," in that we only know Romeo and Juliet spend one night together as husband and wife because we see them part early the next morning.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Romeo and Juliet is often the first Shakespeare play that middle- or high-school students read. It's a tragic, romantic story about two young lovers who get caught in the crossfire of their parents' conflict. Shakespearean language can be challenging to read, especially at first, and newcomers would do best with a well-annotated edition that explains difficult words and constructions. Romeo and Juliet includes little inappropriate sexual content or profanity, but there are a few very violent scenes in which major characters are run through with swords. Director Franco Zeffirelli's beautiful 1968 film version is very true to the play, and well worth seeing. A much more modern and artful, but brutal, film starring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio was well received when it came out in 1996. It's also worth checking out the 1961 musical film West Side Story , which was based on this timeless play.

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Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet takes place in Verona, Italy, where the houses of Capulet and Montague are in conflict. Each of these older men commands the loyalty of numerous friends and family members, and the factions battle in the city streets. The town is ruled by Prince Escalus, who warns the citizens that he will not tolerate any further bloodshed and mayhem from the opposing factions. Capulet's daughter, Juliet, and Montague's son, Romeo, meet at a feast held by Capulet and fall in love. The two are sweethearts are determined to be together despite the division between their families, and they secretly marry. Romeo is later goaded into fighting with Capulet's cousin Tybalt, who is stabbed and killed. Romeo is then banished from Verona. Meanwhile, Capulet wants Juliet to marry another man, and Juliet knows she can't tell her parents whom she has already married. She conspires with the friar who married them to deceive her family so that she can steal away and be with Romeo. It's not until that plan ends tragically that the two families realize how foolish they have been.

Is It Any Good?

Not surprisingly, Romeo and Juliet has it all: clever dialogue, passionate romance, violent conflict, and plenty of poetry. Modern readers might have to suspend their disbelief to accept Romeo and Juliet's grand passion, but with a little patience, readers will be transported by the epic beauty of one of the world's best-loved plays.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the love between Romeo and Juliet -- two tenagers who have known each other for only about one day. Is this love at first sight? Is their love heightened by the obstacles they face?

The Capulets and Montagues hate each other, but we don't know why. Does it matter?

Do you think Shakespeare's play glamorizes suicide?

Why do you think this play is considered a classic and is often required reading in school?

Book Details

Author : William Shakespeare
Genre : Literary Fiction
Topics : History
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Publication date : January 1, 2004
Number of pages : 336
Last updated : June 9, 2015

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BOOK REVIEW : Romeo and Juliet By William Shakespeare

A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Although it was first performed in the 1590s, the first documented performance of Romeo and Juliet is from 1662. The diarist Samuel Pepys was in the audience, and recorded that he ‘saw “Romeo and Juliet,” the first time it was ever acted; but it is a play of itself the worst that ever I heard in my life, and the worst acted that ever I saw these people do.’

Despite Pepys’ dislike, the play is one of Shakespeare’s best-loved and most famous, and the story of Romeo and Juliet is well known. However, the play has become so embedded in the popular psyche that Shakespeare’s considerably more complex play has been reduced to a few key aspects: ‘star-cross’d lovers’, a teenage love story, and the suicide of the two protagonists.

In the summary and analysis that follow, we realise that Romeo and Juliet is much more than a tragic love story.

Romeo and Juliet : brief summary

After the Prologue has set the scene – we have two feuding households, Montagues and Capulets, in the city-state of Verona; and young Romeo is a Montague while Juliet, with whom Romeo is destined to fall in love, is from the Capulet family, sworn enemies of the Montagues – the play proper begins with servants of the two feuding households taunting each other in the street.

When Benvolio, a member of house Montague, arrives and clashes with Tybalt of house Capulet, a scuffle breaks out, and it is only when Capulet himself and his wife, Lady Capulet, appear that the fighting stops. Old Montague and his wife then show up, and the Prince of Verona, Escalus, arrives and chastises the people for fighting. Everyone leaves except Old Montague, his wife, and Benvolio, Montague’s nephew. Benvolio tells them that Romeo has locked himself away, but he doesn’t know why.

Romeo appears and Benvolio asks his cousin what is wrong, and Romeo starts speaking in paradoxes, a sure sign that he’s in love. He claims he loves Rosaline, but will not return any man’s love. A servant appears with a note, and Romeo and Benvolio learn that the Capulets are holding a masked ball.

Benvolio tells Romeo he should attend, even though he is a Montague, as he will find more beautiful women than Rosaline to fall in love with. Meanwhile, Lady Capulet asks her daughter Juliet whether she has given any thought to marriage, and tells Juliet that a man named Paris would make an excellent husband for her.

Romeo attends the Capulets’ masked ball, with his friend Mercutio. Mercutio tells Romeo about a fairy named Queen Mab who enters young men’s minds as they dream, and makes them dream of love and romance. At the masked ball, Romeo spies Juliet and instantly falls in love with her; she also falls for him.

They kiss, but then Tybalt, Juliet’s kinsman, spots Romeo and recognising him as a Montague, plans to confront him. Old Capulet tells him not to do so, and Tybalt reluctantly agrees. When Juliet enquires after who Romeo is, she is distraught to learn that he is a Montague and thus a member of the family that is her family’s sworn enemies.

Romeo breaks into the gardens of Juliet’s parents’ house and speaks to her at her bedroom window. The two of them pledge their love for each other, and arrange to be secretly married the following night. Romeo goes to see a churchman, Friar Laurence, who agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet.

After the wedding, the feud between the two families becomes violent again: Tybalt kills Mercutio in a fight, and Romeo kills Tybalt in retaliation. The Prince banishes Romeo from Verona for his crime.

Juliet is told by her father that she will marry Paris, so Juliet goes to seek Friar Laurence’s help in getting out of it. He tells her to take a sleeping potion which will make her appear to be dead for two nights; she will be laid to rest in the family vault, and Romeo (who will be informed of the plan) can secretly come to her there.

However, although that part of the plan goes fine, the message to Romeo doesn’t arrive; instead, he hears that Juliet has actually died. He secretly visits her at the family vault, but his grieving is interrupted by the arrival of Paris, who is there to lay flowers. The two of them fight, and Romeo kills him.

Convinced that Juliet is really dead, Romeo drinks poison in order to join Juliet in death. Juliet wakes from her slumber induced by the sleeping draught to find Romeo dead at her side. She stabs herself.

The play ends with Friar Laurence telling the story to the two feuding families. The Prince tells them to put their rivalry behind them and live in peace.

Romeo and Juliet : analysis

How should we analyse Romeo and Juliet , one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frequently studied, performed, and adapted plays? Is Romeo and Juliet the great love story that it’s often interpreted as, and what does it say about the play – if it is a celebration of young love – that it ends with the deaths of both romantic leads?

It’s worth bearing in mind that Romeo and Juliet do not kill themselves specifically because they are forbidden to be together, but rather because a chain of events (of which their families’ ongoing feud with each other is but one) and a message that never arrives lead to a misunderstanding which results in their suicides.

Romeo and Juliet is often read as both a tragedy and a great celebration of romantic love, but it clearly throws out some difficult questions about the nature of love, questions which are rendered even more pressing when we consider the headlong nature of the play’s action and the fact that Romeo and Juliet meet, marry, and die all within the space of a few days.

Below, we offer some notes towards an analysis of this classic Shakespeare play and explore some of the play’s most salient themes.

It’s worth starting with a consideration of just what Shakespeare did with his source material. Interestingly, two families known as the Montagues and Capulets appear to have actually existed in medieval Italy: the first reference to ‘Montagues and Capulets’ is, curiously, in the poetry of Dante (1265-1321), not Shakespeare.

In Dante’s early fourteenth-century epic poem, the Divine Comedy , he makes reference to two warring Italian families: ‘Come and see, you who are negligent, / Montagues and Capulets, Monaldi and Filippeschi / One lot already grieving, the other in fear’ ( Purgatorio , canto VI). Precisely why the families are in a feud with one another is never revealed in Shakespeare’s play, so we are encouraged to take this at face value.

The play’s most famous line references the feud between the two families, which means Romeo and Juliet cannot be together. And the line, when we stop and consider it, is more than a little baffling. The line is spoken by Juliet: ‘Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?’ Of course, ‘wherefore’ doesn’t mean ‘where’ – it means ‘why’.

But that doesn’t exactly clear up the whys and the wherefores. The question still doesn’t appear to make any sense: Romeo’s problem isn’t his first name, but his family name, Montague. Surely, since she fancies him, Juliet is quite pleased with ‘Romeo’ as he is – it’s his family that are the problem. Solutions have been proposed to this conundrum , but none is completely satisfying.

There are a number of notable things Shakespeare did with his source material. The Italian story ‘Mariotto and Gianozza’, printed in 1476, contained many of the plot elements of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . Shakespeare’s source for the play’s story was Arthur Brooke’s The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (1562), an English verse translation of this Italian tale.

The moral of Brooke’s tale is that young love ends in disaster for their elders, and is best reined in; Shakespeare changed that. In Romeo and Juliet , the headlong passion and excitement of young love is celebrated, even though confusion leads to the deaths of the young lovers. But through their deaths, and the example their love set for their parents, the two families vow to be reconciled to each other.

Shakespeare also makes Juliet a thirteen-year-old girl in his play, which is odd for a number of reasons. We know that Romeo and Juliet is about young love – the ‘pair of star-cross’d lovers’, who belong to rival families in Verona – but what is odd about Shakespeare’s play is how young he makes Juliet.

In Brooke’s verse rendition of the story, Juliet is sixteen. But when Shakespeare dramatised the story, he made Juliet several years younger, with Romeo’s age unspecified. As Lady Capulet reveals, Juliet is ‘not [yet] fourteen’, and this point is made to us several times, as if Shakespeare wishes to draw attention to it and make sure we don’t forget it.

This makes sense in so far as Juliet represents young love, but what makes it unsettling – particularly for modern audiences – is the fact that this makes Juliet a girl of thirteen when she enjoys her night of wedded bliss with Romeo. As John Sutherland puts it in his (and Cedric Watts’) engaging Oxford World’s Classics: Henry V, War Criminal?: and Other Shakespeare Puzzles , ‘In a contemporary court of law [Romeo] would receive a longer sentence for what he does to Juliet than for what he does to Tybalt.’

There appears to be no satisfactory answer to this question, but one possible explanation lies in one of the play’s recurring themes: bawdiness and sexual familiarity. Perhaps surprisingly given the youthfulness of its tragic heroine, Romeo and Juliet is shot through with bawdy jokes, double entendres, and allusions to sex, made by a number of the characters.

These references to physical love serve to make Juliet’s innocence, and subsequent passionate romance with Romeo, even more noticeable: the journey both Romeo and Juliet undertake is one from innocence (Romeo pointlessly and naively pursuing Rosaline; Juliet unversed in the ways of love) to experience.

In the last analysis, Romeo and Juliet is a classic depiction of forbidden love, but it is also far more sexually aware, more ‘adult’, than many people realise.

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4 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”

Modern reading of the play’s opening dialogue among the brawlers fails to parse the ribaldry. Sex scares the bejeepers out of us. Why? Confer “R&J.”

It’s all that damn padre’s fault!

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Book Review: Romeo and Juliet

As is likely the case with many readers, I was assigned to study the play "Romeo and Juliet" in a high school English class. While it's true that I was led on to read the book out of obligation, I ended up forming some pretty spirited opinions on the novel. I definitely was not engaged in this read, but even still, am able to respect its excellence in the context of Shakespeare's time.

As a reader, you can tell that the language used is vastly different from that of the common, English vernacular. For this reason, it can sometimes be a challenge to understand what is going on in the plot, especially since the story is told through the lens of a play. Before attempting this read, I would certainly brush up on some basic play terms, to grasp a better understanding of the composition of such a work.

Another factor contributing to the difficulty of this read is Shakespeare’s use of Iambic Pentameter, a rhyming scheme ideal for sonnets where three sets of rhyming quatrains and two lines of rhyming couplets are alternated. I found it truly impressive that Shakespeare manages to devise these rhymes with so much detail and insight. To go through with reading this novel, I would have to suggest to understand the rhyming scene of Iambic Pentameter, as doing so allows you to come to terms with a greater appreciation for Shakespeare’s work.

I found the plot itself to be a bit too inconstant. While at first the novel seems somewhat believable, the ending turns totally wild and unpredictable. I don’t mean to critique Shakespeare’s work, as his play was truly revolutionary for its time, but to a 21st century teen, this novel may not be the most enjoyable.

In terms of the themes, the novel excels with powerful and proactive lessons. Reflecting on the plot, and Shakespeare’s use of literary devices such as foreshadowing, can lead to meaningful conversations and analyses about life, love, and happiness. Overall, I would pin my recommendation on this book, but only if you take the time to understand the niche delicacies of Shakespeare’s writing. At face value, the novel may not seem the most exciting or engaging to the reader, but by appreciating the literary masterpiece found in Shakespeare’s work, you’ll definitely enjoy the read!

Reviewer’s Grade Level: 10

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Book Reviews on...

Romeo and juliet, by william shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is one of his most popular plays, a tragic love story set in the Italian city of Verona. “ Romeo and Juliet gives a wonderful exploration of young love, of first love, of romantic attitudes to love.” Stanley Wells , Shakespearean scholar

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Other books by William Shakespeare

Titus andronicus (arden shakespeare) by jonathan bate & william shakespeare, all the sonnets of shakespeare by paul edmonson, stanley wells & william shakespeare, the art of shakespeare's sonnets by helen vendler & william shakespeare, shakespeare's sonnets by katherine duncan-jones & william shakespeare, illustrated stories from shakespeare by anna claybourne, rosie dickins & william shakespeare, hamlet by william shakespeare, our most recommended books, on liberty by john stuart mill, war and peace by leo tolstoy, middlemarch by george eliot, nineteen eighty-four by george orwell, the confessions by augustine (translated by maria boulding), republic by plato.

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Swearing, rants, reviews, on every level, book review – romeo and juliet by william shakespeare.

I’m a fan of Shakespeare. I think he’s way more accessible than people give him credit for. I can also understand why so many people don’t get along with him. For me, it all comes down to how you first experience him. For most of us, we’ll come across our first Shakespeare play at school. If you go through this with the right teacher then he you’ll be able to embrace the Bard fully. If you don’t have the right teacher then you’ll just think he’s old and boring. Thankfully, the first play that I studied was Macbeth and it ended up being a lot of fun. Then I got stuck into Othello , Hamlet and King Lear . By the time I was 16, I was already pretty hooked on old Willy. Although, I’ve never been a big fan of a couple of his most popular plays. Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Nights Dream tend to be ones that most people are willing to watch. I guess they’re more like traditional romantic comedies, so they might be easier for modern audiences to get behind. Really, I don’t know why people love these plays so much. For me, they’re two of his most tedious plays. And, yes, I have studied the histories. Certainly in the case of Romeo and Juliet . I just think it’s stupid.

But, last month, I decided to read the story of the star-crossed lovers in fair Verona. I guess I wanted to see if my opinion had changed over the years. Spoiler alert: it hadn’t. I still think this play is terrible. It’s based on a very childish and unrealistic version of love. I’d also argue that it doesn’t actually offer any real insight into human existence. I don’t understand why there is still such a fascination with this play. I don’t see what appeal there is in deciding to put on this play. It’s just not interesting. This is one of the main reasons that modern productions take so many liberties with the setting. Would Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation have been quite so successful had it not been set in contemporary America? Was it not the fact that Romeo and his chums brandished guns instead of actual swords? I doubt it.

That’s the main problem with this play. On its own, it really isn’t that exciting. That’s why you need to rejig is to include gangsters or rival football teams or whatever. You need an added context to really make it work. As it stands, the play does little to establish itself or its context. It doesn’t really care. We just know that these families are at war. Do we need to know why? Not according to Shakespeare. It’s just way to increase the melodrama and give these teens something to really get upset about. There’s such a lack of depth within this play. It focuses on the scenes between the two lovers and throws in a few fight scenes for good measure. What else is there? Not much, It’s just an overly simple narrative and very little character development.

Speaking of which, I read an article that suggested we hate this play because society hates young women. But how can we hate Juliet when we know nothing about her? All we really know is that she’s 13 because Shakespeare is super keen that we never forget that fact. I’m not suggesting that Romeo is a very developed character, but we do get to know more about him. He’s a feminine youth who is mocked for believing in love so much. That’s not so much of a problem but it could have been taken further. It’s difficult to believe in this love when we, the audience, don’t know anything about these two kids. Is it any wonder that so many people think their love is superficial?

And their love really is superficial. I’m not saying that all teenage love affairs are superficial but this one is. I’ve read an argument that suggests the play isn’t a warning about teenage love but is a warning not to underestimate teenagers. That the play is showing us that teenagers are mature adults capable of making their own decisions. It also had the gall to suggest that Juliet’s death is empowering. That her only alternative is being married off to someone she doesn’t love. That death is her only way to find freedom. Now, I’m sorry but if you think that is a positive message then I’m worried about you. Taken in this light, the play is just another teen drama that is advocating death as the ultimate resolution. Not only does Juliet not have to marry Paris but their families magically stop fighting. Forgive me if I don’t praise a play for encouraging young girls in arranged marriages to just end their lives. That’s not feminism.

This is a play that is so popular because people obsess about their teenage years. That’s why shows like The OC, Dawson’s Creek and Riverdale keep getting made. They’re written by people in the 30s and 40s who think that these were the best years of their lives. That the love between two teenagers is passionate and magical. Teenagers tend to be avid believers in love at first sight but, for the most part, this is an idea that we grow out of. Cause let’s be honest, teenagers are idiots. Romeo and Juliet are definitely idiots. The fact that they don’t take a second to think before acting is proof that they’re idiots. Whether you believe that their love is real or not, you have to admit that they’re both drama queens. They’ve known each other for a matter of days, secretly got married and then killed themselves. A 13-year-old and a 17 (ish) year old boy end up dead and, because we idolise teenagers, it has become one of the most celebrated love stories of all time. How is it possible?

To really believe that this is a love story, you have to believe that the pair would have stayed together forever. I mean, had they not got caught up in the drama and killed themselves. There is absolutely no evidence that the pair would have had a long and happy marriage. Their relationship is based on looks and a desire to escape their fates. There is no deep, emotional connection. Juliet is young and Romeo is a hopeless romantic. Given a few years and a couple of babies, I reckon the star-crossed lovers would be in terrible shape. Juliet looking after two young Montague’s while her husband is off writing poetry to whichever young thing he’s obsessed with at that time. Maybe there is something weirdly romantic about young love dying together. It’s like the thing with Disney movies. We’re told they lived happily ever after but we never see it. In Romeo and Juliet , we never see the reality of their decision. But, put them in the real world and I doubt these two would have lasted long.

Romeo and Juliet

By william shakespeare.

'Romeo and Juliet' is arguably one of the most famous plays of all time by one of the greatest writers, from the iconic storyline to using ground-breaking ideas.

About the Book

Article written by Lee-James Bovey

P.G.C.E degree.

William Shakespeare explores the effects of hubris and hamartia and the impulsivity of love on the children of two warring families in his iconic tragedy.

Key Facts about Romeo and Juliet

Title : Romeo and Juliet
When written: Around 1595
Published : 1597 (unauthorized)
Genre : play / tragedy
Setting : Verona in Italy set around the 13th-14th century.
Climax: Romeo being banished and Juliet refusing to marry Paris.
Antagonist: Debatably, the two warring families, the Capulets, and Montagues .

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. His parents were Anne Hathaway and John Shakespeare. He was well-educated and began his writing career as many of the playwrights of the time did by co-writing.

He began by focusing on historical dramas, but as he developed as a writer, he began writing comedies and tragedies, including increasingly complex characters. He broke new ground by breaking stereotypes and challenging his audiences by tackling prejudice and racism.

His main characters often lived with hamartia, which is a fatal flaw that was often their undoing.

As well as being a prolific playwright and producing some of the finest plays of all time he is also known for his sonnets , to the extent where the sonnet form that he commonly used has been named after him.

Whether remembered for his plays or poetry, there is no doubt that Shakespeare was a genius, and that’s part of the reason his legacy lives on to this day.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Digital Art

Books Related to Romeo and Juliet

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman . The play version has a lot in common with Romeo and Juliet, exploring the ideas of star-crossed lovers but instead of warring families, it instead explores the idea of warring races which makes it more relevant to a modern-day audience.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green . This explores the idea of two lovers whose relationship is fated to end in tragedy. While it does not follow the same story as Romeo and Juliet , the influences are there. Even the title could be considered a nod to the Shakespeare classic.

Legacy of Romeo and Juliet

The legacy of Romeo and Juliet is far and wide. It is near impossible to talk about the legacy of this play without referencing the influence of the man himself. Shakespeare broke conventions of plays that had existed for centuries. He invented language that is still used centuries later and had a mastery of language not seen before or since, effortlessly using verse in his plays as an effect.

The plot itself has influenced many works, from books to movies and plays. The themes of the play have also been used countless times in various mediums. How often do we see the star-crossed lovers trope in cinemas in the contemporary world? The idea of warring families and relationships forming between enemies have also been explored too many times to mention.

Romeo and Juliet is the perfect storm where you have a flawless writer with a timeless story to tell and that’s why it has the legacy that it does.

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Romeo and Juliet: Introduction

Romeo and juliet: plot summary, romeo and juliet: detailed summary & analysis, romeo and juliet: themes, romeo and juliet: quotes, romeo and juliet: characters, romeo and juliet: symbols, romeo and juliet: literary devices, romeo and juliet: quizzes, romeo and juliet: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of Romeo and Juliet

Other books related to romeo and juliet.

Full Title: Romeo and Juliet
When Written: Likely 1591-1595
Where Written: London, England
When Published: “Bad quarto” (incomplete manuscript) printed in 1597; Second, more complete quarto printed in 1599; First folio, with clarifications and corrections, printed in 1623
Literary Period: Renaissance
Genre: Tragic play
Setting: Verona, Italy
Climax: Mistakenly believing that Juliet is dead, Romeo kills himself on her funeral bier by drinking poison. Juliet wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and fatally stabs herself with his dagger.
Antagonist: Capulet, Lady Capulet, Montague, Lady Montague, Tybalt

Extra Credit for Romeo and Juliet

Tourist Trap. Casa di Giulietta, a 12-century villa in Verona, is located just off the Via Capello (the possible origin of the anglicized surname “Capulet”) and has become a major tourist attraction over the years because of its distinctive balcony. The house, purchased by the city of Verona in 1905 from private holdings, has been transformed into a kind of museum dedicated to the history of Romeo and Juliet , where tourists can view set pieces from some of the major film adaptations of the play and even leave letters to their loved ones. Never mind that “the balcony scene,” one of the most famous scenes in English literature, may never have existed—the word “balcony” never appears in the play, and balconies were not an architectural feature of Shakespeare’s England—tourists flock from all over to glimpse Juliet’s famous veranda.

Love Language. While much of Shakespeare’s later work is written in a combination of verse and prose (used mostly to offer distinction between social classes, with nobility speaking in verse and commoners speaking in prose), Romeo and Juliet is notable for its heady blend of poetic forms. The play’s prologue is written in the form of a sonnet, while most of the dialogue adheres strictly to the rhythm of iambic pentameter. Romeo and Juliet alter their cadences when speaking to each another, using more casual, naturalistic speech. When they talk about other potential lovers, such as Rosaline and Paris, their speech is much more formal (to reflect the emotional falsity of those dalliances.) Friar Laurence speaks largely in sermons and aphorisms, while the nurse speaks in blank verse.

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Book Review

Romeo and juliet.

William Shakespeare
Drama , Play , Romance

Readability Age Range

The first performance was in 1594, but a quarto of it was unofficially published in 1597. The version reviewed was from Signet Classic, Penguin Group.

Year Published

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine .

Plot Summary

An early fight scene introduces readers to the Capulet and Montague families and their long-standing feud. Romeo, son of Lord Montague, believes he’s in love with a girl named Rosaline until he and Juliet (a Capulet) lock eyes at a party and determine they must be together. The lovers marry in secret, with the help of Juliet’s nurse and Friar Lawrence — but all hope for their happiness seems lost when Romeo is banished for killing Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. Juliet, who is being forced by her father to marry Paris, drinks a concoction that will put her in a coma so she appears dead. She’s entombed and Friar Lawrence promises to let Romeo know of the plot so he can come wake her. The plan goes awry and Romeo, thinking Juliet is really dead, kills himself in her presence. She wakes to find him lifeless and stabs herself with his dagger.

Christian Beliefs

Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet and plots to help them stay together. While his actions may seem well-intentioned, his scheming, deception and knowledge of mystical elements (such as the sleeping potion Juliet drinks) render him a holy man of questionable character.

Other Belief Systems

Even the earliest lines of the play, which state that Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed lovers,” indicate that cosmic destiny, not God, will guide the actions in this story. The tragic events that follow, culminating in the death of the young lovers, are attributed to fate. “Love” itself becomes a religion for Romeo and Juliet: Their passion causes them to reject nearly all of the people, values and laws they once held dear. After they first meet, Juliet even refers to Romeo as “the god of my idolatry.”

Authority Roles

Lord and Lady Capulet push for Juliet’s marriage to Paris, believing it is in her best interest. Lord Capulet’s temper flares when Juliet protests. Juliet’s nurse essentially raises her, even breastfeeding her as an infant. She serves as Juliet’s confidante and messenger, helping the lovers execute their secret romantic schemes and putting Juliet’s happiness above her loyalty to her employers. Romeo’s parents demonstrate concern about his depression, and his mother dies of grief when he’s banished from Verona. Prince Escalus demands peace in Verona at all costs.

Profanity & Violence

God’s name is used in vain several times. The bulk of the profanity in this play appears in the off-color innuendos and double-entendres for which Shakespeare is famous. Mercutio and other minor characters often jest about sex and the intimate parts of male and female anatomy. As far as violence, there is swordplay, and the main characters’ suicides are emphasized.

Sexual Content

Romeo and Juliet kiss. The first time is on the night they meet. A few days later (though no explicit detail appears in the script) they consummate their marriage. Veiled sexual humor appears throughout.

Discussion Topics

Get free discussion questions for this book and others, at FocusOnTheFamily.com/discuss-books .

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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

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Romeo and Juliet is a timeless masterpiece written by the renowned playwright, William Shakespeare. The play tells the tragic love story of two young lovers from rival families in Verona, Italy. The themes of love, hatred, fate, and the consequences of impulsive decisions are woven into the fabric of the play, making it one of the most significant works of literature ever written.

As a language model, I have analyzed and studied the text of Romeo and Juliet to provide a comprehensive book review. Through this review, we hope to highlight the key elements of the play, including its plot, characters, themes, and language, and demonstrate why it has endured for centuries.

Significance, bibliography.

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy that follows the love story of two young teenagers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. The two fall in love at first sight during a party at the Capulet household, despite their families’ long-standing feud. Romeo, infatuated with Juliet, sneaks into her garden and professes his love for her. The two plan to marry in secret with the help of Friar Lawrence. However, their plans are thwarted by a series of unfortunate events, including the death of Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, at the hands of Romeo’s friend Mercutio, and Romeo’s subsequent banishment from Verona.

Juliet, desperate to avoid marrying Paris, a suitor chosen by her father, turns to Friar Lawrence for help. The Friar devises a plan to reunite the lovers, which involves Juliet faking her own death with a sleeping potion. Unfortunately, Romeo hears only that Juliet has died and, heartbroken, purchases poison and kills himself at Juliet’s tomb. Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead and, unable to live without him, takes her own life with Romeo’s dagger. The play ends with the families reconciling, too late to save their children.

The play’s protagonists are Romeo and Juliet, two young lovers who are deeply in love but ultimately doomed by the feud between their families. Romeo is a Montague and is known for his impulsiveness and passion. Juliet, on the other hand, is a Capulet and is more practical and level-headed than Romeo. Both characters are flawed, but their flaws are what make them human and relatable.

The play’s supporting characters are equally compelling. Friar Lawrence is a wise and compassionate priest who plays a critical role in the lovers’ tragic fate. He agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret, hoping that their union will bring peace to their families. However, his plan to reunite the lovers ultimately leads to their deaths. Mercutio is Romeo’s best friend, known for his wit and humor. He is killed in a duel with Tybalt, which sets off a chain of events that lead to the play’s tragic conclusion.

Here’s a table of the main characters in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare:

Character	Description
Romeo	The son of Montague and the play’s male protagonist. He is initially infatuated with Rosaline but falls in love with Juliet at first sight. Romeo is impulsive and passionate, which leads to his tragic fate.
Juliet	The daughter of Capulet and the play’s female protagonist. She is initially obedient to her family’s wishes but defies them when she falls in love with Romeo. Juliet is intelligent and strong-willed, but ultimately becomes a victim of the feud between the two families.
Mercutio	Romeo’s friend and kinsman to the Prince of Verona. Mercutio is quick-witted and has a sharp tongue. He is killed by Tybalt, which sets off a chain of events that leads to the play’s tragic ending.
Tybalt	Juliet’s cousin and a skilled swordsman. Tybalt is hot-headed and eager to fight the Montagues. He is responsible for killing Mercutio and is later killed by Romeo in revenge.
Friar Laurence	A Franciscan friar who agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret. Friar Laurence is well-meaning but his plans to reunite the lovers ultimately lead to their deaths.
Nurse	Juliet’s nurse and confidante. The Nurse is a comic character who provides a contrast to the tragic events of the play. She is loyal to Juliet but ultimately fails to protect her from her family’s wrath.
Capulet	Juliet’s father and the head of the Capulet family. Capulet is initially hesitant to marry Juliet off to Paris, but becomes enraged when she refuses. He is responsible for driving Juliet to seek Friar Laurence’s help.
Montague	Romeo’s father and the head of the Montague family. Montague is initially concerned about Romeo’s melancholy, but becomes embroiled in the feud with the Capulets.
Prince Escalus	The Prince of Verona who serves as the play’s voice of authority. He is frustrated by the feud between the Montagues and Capulets and threatens to punish anyone who disturbs the peace.

Note: This table only includes the main characters in the play. There are many other minor characters who play important roles in the story, such as Paris (Juliet’s suitor), Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin), and the Apothecary (who sells Romeo the poison).

The themes of love, hate, fate, and the consequences of impulsive decisions are central to Romeo and Juliet. Love is portrayed as a force that can transcend social barriers and family feuds, but it is also shown to be fleeting and fragile. Hate, on the other hand, is depicted as a destructive force that can lead to tragedy and death.

Fate is also an essential theme in the play. The idea that the lovers were fated to die is suggested from the beginning, as the Prologue describes Romeo and Juliet as “star-crossed lovers.” The idea of fate is reinforced throughout the play through references to astrology and dreams. The idea that the lovers’ fate was predetermined is reinforced by the play’s tragic ending, which suggests that the lovers were doomed from the start.

Another theme of Romeo and Juliet is the consequences of impulsive decisions. Romeo and Juliet’s love is impulsive, and their rash decisions to marry and fake Juliet’s death ultimately lead to their tragic fate. The play suggests that impulsive decisions, particularly those made in the heat of passion, can have severe and irreversible consequences.

Shakespeare’s language in Romeo and Juliet is renowned for its poetic beauty and rich imagery. The play is written in iambic pentameter, a form of poetry that consists of ten syllables per line, with every second syllable stressed. The use of iambic pentameter gives the play a musical quality and helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

Shakespeare also uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, simile, and personification, to bring his characters and their emotions to life. The play’s most famous lines, including “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” and “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” have become iconic examples of Shakespeare’s mastery of language.

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and its enduring popularity can be attributed to its timeless themes and the universal appeal of its characters. The play has been adapted into countless films, stage productions, and other works of literature, and its influence can be seen in everything from popular music to modern romantic comedies.

The play’s significance also lies in its portrayal of the human condition. Romeo and Juliet’s story is one of love and loss, and their tragic fate has resonated with audiences for centuries. The play speaks to the power of love, the destructive nature of hate, and the consequences of impulsive decisions, all themes that are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare’s time.

While Romeo and Juliet is widely regarded as a masterpiece, it has not been without its criticisms. Some have argued that the play’s portrayal of love is unrealistic and that Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is too idealized. Others have criticized the play’s depiction of women, arguing that Juliet is little more than a passive object of desire.

Despite these criticisms, Romeo and Juliet ‘s enduring popularity suggests that it continues to resonate with audiences today.

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. London: Arden Shakespeare, 1980.
Garber, Marjorie. Shakespeare’s Ghost Writers: Literature as Uncanny Causality. New York: Routledge, 2010.
Holland, Peter. Shakespeare Survey: Volume 65, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Kastan, David Scott. Shakespeare and the Book. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Wells, Stanley. Shakespeare: A Life in Drama. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995.
Book Review
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Review of ‘Romeo and Juliet’: “The course of true love never did run smooth”

Shakespeare’s immortal love story relives once again on its home stage, in a new abridged production playing the Globe’s main playhouse. Guillermo Nazara share his views on the show, to let us know if this revised montage still kisses by the book.

Ah, nothing like the drama-splattered affairs of young love to give your day that much necessary boost of unaffiliated misery. Yes, I confess it, I’m one of those who every time he sees a merry couple passing by, I raise an imaginary glass to them and smirk while thinking: “I’m gonna take your boyfriend away from you”. What? It’s just for the sake of showmanship. I mean – didn’t the Bard say that all the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players? There we go then. I know very well who I wanna play with… theatrically speaking.

Moving on. The tale of the two lovers condemned to the contentious maneuvers of a capricious fate has been reimagined so many times, it’s almost surprising people are still enraptured by its tragic plight . But I guess it takes one b*tch to know another, huh? A delightful, intricate piece about the most basic yet incredibly complex feelings anyone could ever experience, Romeo and Juliet has always been part of my top list of Shakespeare’s faves – both plot and writing style becoming a source of inspiration and bewilderment all the way back to high school. I was… popular…

Attempts at modernizing the over 400-year-old work have not been scarce, with the Bernstein-Sondheim musical remake being perhaps the most popular in the last decades while also gaining an identity on its own. Yet, the possibilities are still out there for those who wish to look into its heart pass the ruffled necks and bright-coloured pantaloons. Picture a world with no class (your household, for example – sorry… I couldn’t resist), where nobility is replaced by streetwise hierarchy, and knights duel as hooded blokes in graffiti-studded alleys. Don’t forget to gaze upon it through the lens of your smartphone to make it authentic, and there you have it: the life of today depicted with frightening precision in a fifteen-hundreds play.

Shakespeare’s ability to craft storylines where modern audiences still can see themselves reflected doesn’t come as a shock (there’s a reason for his endurance, after all), but it’s still much gratifying every time you stop to think about it. Lucy Cuthbertson’s approach understands that concept remarkably well. No matter the time or circumstances, the way we feel is substantially the same. Nothing new about updating an old creation to show its relatability in a contemporary world, though. But that doesn’t make it any less effective. Add to it a compelling set of visuals, and you may be in for a prize.

Coming to the Globe is usually a transcendent journey. Surrounded by the staggering beauty of its emulated antiquity, it’s truly astonishing how their minimally staged montages can actually create the most mind-blowing pictures (and some of the highest stirring sensations) I’ve ever been through in a career consisting of sitting in the stalls (or the upper circle, if the publicist has it in for me). This production is no exception. If anything, it’s just the opposite – boasting an extraordinary ability to capture the viewer through eye-striking movement and superb atmospheric power.

Reduced to little over half the original, the take mirrors its upbeat images through its swirling pacing – enhancing the rhythm by cutting to the essentials, but without compromising the narrative’s development nor making it look rushed. In fact, such a decision manages to underline some of the principal themes in the piece, thus making the characters’ impulsive choices more comprehensible, while quietly commenting on the instinctive nature of the human soul – ignorant to the cautionary advice of reason when fervor takes over.

Love at first sight, and so pure to be worth dying for (seriously, if someone calls me a spoiler for saying I’m just gonna kick their capulets), the chemistry between the two young sweethearts is, undoubtedly, crucial for the success of the recount. Sadly, we don’t see much of this magic in this version, with Hayden Mampasi’s portrayal of Romeo delivered with too much comicality – this way, preventing any bonding between audience and personage from finally happening, separating us from the passion and ardent frailty that he’s supposed to introduce us to through his enamourment. Such issue does not apply, nonetheless, to the supporting roles, all of them performed with sublime flair and energy. Among them, the biggest mentioned is earned by Liam King in the part of Tybalt, giving a crude, sincere and, above all, infatuating rendition filled with layers, detail and significance.

Some shall be pardon’d, and some punished. That’s what reviews are for, after all. And putting the Prince of Verona’s hat on for a moment, I must say I look beautiful. But also, flaunt a sign of approval towards what’s, in general, an excellent reinterpretation on the work that, probably, serves as the best example of Shakespeare’s unparalleled skill to unify people of all sizes, positions and backgrounds into one single entity sharing the same heart. A heart that yearns for all those little things we so often forget to acknowledge, but which keep speaking to us through the voices of those who listen in our behalf. Magnified through image and sound (thanks to Ben Hale and David Price’s stunning percussion-based underscore), it’s fair to say that, through this production, you won’t find a tale of more wore. But it’s guaranteed to give you a few thrills too, anyway.

All pictures credit to Tristram Kenton.

Romeo and Juliet plays at London’s Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre until 13 April. Tickets are available on the following link .

By Guillermo Nazara

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Summer reading: romeo and juliet, revisited.

emma poltrack

Detail from Patti Elwin Davis, Homage to Shakespeare: “With wonder great as my content,” quilt, 1986. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Romeo and Juliet detail from a quilt in the Folger collection, showing the balcony scene, with Romeo standing at left and Juliet above him on a balcony, with flowers scattered below balcony

The History and Fall of Caius Mariu s (1680), a rewrite set in classical Rome. West Side Story (1961), an Oscar-winning film of the Broadway musical, with rival New York street gangs. Rosaline (2022), a rom-com movie retelling the story from the POV of Rosaline, Romeo’s ex. Throughout the centuries and across disciplines, Romeo and Juliet has inspired countless artists to create something new from Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed teenagers.

Is it any wonder, then, that there is a Romeo and Juliet -inspired read for almost any type of book lover? To continue with your summer TBR—and to celebrate Romeo and Juliet on stage at the Folger this fall—here are three very different takes on that tragic couple that have been featured as part of the Folger Book Club .

Ramon + Julieta book cover. Illustration includes lovers and below them the streetscape of the novel's setting

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson

Given the source material’s reputation as a timeless love story, it’s no wonder that the first recommendation on our list hails from the romance category. Spicy in more ways than one, Ramón and Julieta moves the action from Verona to San Diego’s Barrio Logan. The feuding families of Shakespeare’s original become the competing interests of Julieta Campos, head chef at the sea-to-table restaurant she runs with her mother, and Ramón Montez, CEO of the Taco King restaurant chain looking to expand into the neighborhood. Full of rich culinary and cultural descriptions alongside thoughtful considerations of gentrification, this steamy summer read will make you hungry for more.

Learn more about the novel through our introductory post , explore Romeo and Juliet and Latine communities in our Resource Guide , or read about Katherine Gillen, Adrianna Santos, and Kathryn Vomero Santos’s research on Borderlands Shakespeare on the Folger Spotlight Blog.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

From tacos to…brains? For those who crave something in the horror genre, Marion’s zombie love story delivers. Made into a 2013 movie starring Nicholas Hoult, Warm Bodies imagines Romeo as “R,” a member of the Dead looking for more from his not-life, and Juliet as “Julie,” a member of the living and part of a fragile community attempting to protect itself at all costs. Full of clever nods to the original and a fair bit of gore, Warm Bodies is a Romeo and Juliet adaptation you can really sink your teeth into.

Get an introduction to the novel , learn more about Shakespeare and different genres in our Resource Guide , or discover the connection between zombie containment and early modern plague in our Collection Connections post , all on the Folger Spotlight Blog.

Book cover of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, illustration

Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls

The last title is one that brings back the romance of Shakespeare’s play, but this time concentrating on the feeling as experienced in youthful adolescence. Romeo and Juliet is doubly present in this touching coming-of-age story: first and foremost as the amateur production in which Charlie Lewis finds himself acting in order to win the heart of Fran Fisher, and then again, more subtly, in the ups and downs of their budding relationship. Funny and sad in equal measure, Sweet Sorrow is a poignant reflection on the marks that first love leaves, and what it feels like to remember it again from a more mature perspective.

You can learn more about Sweet Sorrow through our introductory post , explore Shakespeare and adolescence with our Resource Guide , or take a tour through related Folger holdings with our Collections Connections post , all available on the Folger Spotlight.

Find more of our Summer Reading series on this blog by looking for the tag “ Summer Reading .”

Curious about our next Folger Book Club adventure? Sign up here!

Folger book club: year of wonders by geraldine brooks, coming this fall at the folger…, romeo and juliet.

has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature Studies (with a focus on contemporary Shakespearean performance) from University of Warwick. She earned her MA in Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cultural History of Renaissance England at The Shakespeare Institute. — View all posts by emma poltrack

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A Research Guide
Literature Guides

Romeo and Juliet

Introduction

One of Shakespeare’s earlier plays, Romeo and Juliet is one of two tragedies written between 1590-1595. The play is based on a fourteenth-century Italian short story, or novella, yet Shakespeare’s version of the tale is distinctly different than the source text. As Shakespeare adapted the tale for the Elizabethan stage, he wove elements of Elizabethan drama and a certain level of bawdiness by including older characters that were not present in the original story. The play was well-received in its time. It remained popular through the centuries, and is still a favorite to this day. Romeo and Juliet may well vie for the top spot for Shakespeare’s most well-known plays. For many years, critics tended to see the play in less favor than Shakespeare’s more heavy handed tragedies, but the play has gained critical acceptance and is now a standard in high school curricula.

As much as Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story, it is also a play about hate. The bloody feud between the Capulets and the Montagues is the backdrop for all of the action in the play and it is the catalyst for the tragic suicides of the two lovers. One may idealize the purity of love between Romeo and Juliet, but we must pay as much attention to the hate and anger which fuel the story. Love and hate are equally tragic each in their own way.

Summary and Dramatis Persone

ESCALUS, prince of Verona PARIS, a young nobleman, kinsman to the prince

Heads of two houses at variance with each other. MONTAGUE CAPULET An old man, cousin to Capulet ROMEO, son to Montague MERCUTIO, kinsman to the prince, and friend to Romeo BENVOLIO, nephew to Montague, and friend to Romeo TYBALT, nephew to Lady Capulet

Franciscans. FRIAR LAURENCE FRIAR JOHN BALTHASAR, servant to Romeo

Servants to Capulet. SAMPSON GREGORY PETER, servant to Juliet’s nurse ABRAHAM, servant to Montague An Apothecary

Three Musicians First Musician Second Musician Third Musician Page to Paris Another Page An Officer LADY MONTAGUE, wife to Montague LADY CAPULET, wife to Capulet JULIET, daughter to Capulet Nurse to Juliet

Watchmen First Watchman Second Watchman Third Watchman

Citizens of Verona First Citizen

Servants in Capulet’s house First Servant Second Servant Servant

Minor Characters relations to both houses; Maskers Guards and Attendants

The Montagues and the Capulets are two noble families in Renaissance Verona, Italy. Locked in a long-standing feud, one that is fought by the nobles of the two families as well as their servants, they have engaged in a series of bloody public battles. In response, the ruler of Verona, Prince Escalus, is forced to intercede and declare that if any member of either family is caught fighting in the future they will be put to death. Thus the feud is ostensibly put on hold.

The Capulets, it turns out, throw a masquerade ball each year. Obviously they do not invite the Montagues. Juliet, daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet, is 13 and will soon be of marriage age. It is the hope of her parents that she will fall in love with Paris, a wealthy kinsman of Escalus, at the ball. As it happens, three of the Capulets, sixteen year-old Romeo, his cousin Benvolio, and their friend Mercutio sneak into the ball. Romeo has his sights on Rosaline although she has taken a vow of chastity and is unavailable.

As soon as Romeo lays eyes on Juliet he falls in love with her, and Juliet falls in love with him at first sight. They soon find out, to their dismay, that they are from rival families. Nevertheless, Romeo is so in love with Juliet that he climbs over a wall to hide under Juliet’s window. As Juliet emerges from the window and tells the night sky about her love for Romeo, he emerges from hiding and they admit their love to each other. With the help of Friar Laurence and Juliet’s Nurse, who is especially attached to Juliet as her own daughter, the couple are secretly married the next day.

The same day, Benvolio and Mercutio are waiting for Romeo on the street. It is here that Tybalt confronts them and demands the presence of Romeo for a duel to punish him for invading the ball. As Mercutio stalls Tybalt with an eloquent but vague speech, Romeo arrives on the scene. After a period of verbal sparring between Romeo and Tybalt, Mercutio draws his sword to attack Tybalt. Romeo intervenes but Tybalt wounds Mercutio. Tybalt flees the scene only to return after to find that Mercutio has died. Angry over the death of Mercutio, Romeo engages Tybalt and kills him. He decides to flee from the inevitable consequences from Escalus. Later, Escalus arrives, and upon learning the details of the murder, he banishes Romeo from Verona for life. Juliet is heartbroken after finding out about all of this and sends her nurse to give her ring to Romeo.

Later that night, Romeo returns to Juliet. He climbs into her room and their marriage is consummated. As morning approaches, Romeo is forced to leave. He departs for Mantua to await news of Juliet and his banishment.

While Juliet and Romeo spend their night consummating their marriage, Lord Capulet sets about making sure she marries Paris. When Lord and Lady Capulet tell Juliet of their plans for her, she refuses. This sends he father into a rage. Both Lady Capulet and Juliet’s nurse refuse to leave her alone.

Juliet visits Friar Lawrence shortly after this and the two of them hatch a scheme designed to reunite her with Romeo. Friar Laurence is to give her a potion which will make her appear dead for two days. During this time, Romeo will come to the Capulet family vault to meet her. Friar Lawrence makes arrangements to alert Romeo of the plan.

Following the plan, on the day she and Paris are to be married, Juliet drinks the potion. She is found later by her nurse who alerts everyone that she is dead. The family is in mourning over her apparent suicide. So as to expedite the scheme Friar Laurence explains that she should be put in the family vault as soon as possible.

Friar Laurence is unfortunately unable to deliver a letter to Romeo in time to let him in on the scheme. Upon his return form Mantua he hears that Juliet is dead. In his grief, he rushes back to Verona. On the way he obtains a poison for the purpose of taking his own life. He also writes a suicide note explaining all the tragic events which led him to kill himself. In the meantime, Friar Laurence finds out that Romeo did not receive the letter. He rushes to the tomb to intercede on behalf of the grief-stricken lover.

As Romeo approaches the Capulet tomb he discovers Paris guarding the vault and mourning the death of his beloved, Juliet, who he believes is truly dead. Paris challenges Romeo and Romeo kills him. As Romeo drags Paris’s body into the tomb, he discovers Juliet and presumes she is dead. He drinks his poison, gives her a last kiss, and he dies.

Friar Laurence arrives soon after this just as Juliet is waking up. He tries to convince her to run away but she refuses. Juliet discovers the body of Romeo and realizes what he has done. She drinks the poison and dies also.

As others arrive on the scene, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague also enter. They learn the truth of the tragic events from Friar Laurence and the suicide letter from Romeo provides proof. The two rival families agree to settle their differences and form an alliance as a result of the tragedy.

Characters and Analysis

At first Romeo is characterized by his self-indulgent melancholy, characteristics which would have signaled a romantic quality as well as a tragic flaw for Elizabethan audiences. As he is smitten by Juliet he becomes more active and assumes his role as a true tragic figure. His fall and death are quintessential tragic modes.

Lord Montague

Romeo’s father and a figure and paternal authority. He operates as a tragic type more than a fully developed character. He is the sign of paternal power and the figure-head of a ruling family embroiled in a bitter feud.

Lady Montague

Also something of a type rather than a developed character. She is the maternal figure, and embodiment of feminine maturity and grace. She even dies of a broken heart at the loss of her son.

Friar Laurence

Obviously, as a symbol of the church, Friar Laurence is a representative of peace and reconciliation, although his efforts are clumsy and ineffective. His intention at first is to resolve the feud through the union of Romeo and Juliet. When that fails, he attempts to re-unite them with a scheme which fails. It is ultimately the failed scheme which leads to their deaths and a general reconciliation between the families.

A young noble lady, an image of innocence, Juliet is also willful and rebellious. These latter traits are tragic flaws for an Elizabethan audience. She is forceful and intelligent in her designs, at times more in control of the action that Romeo. Her decision to commit suicide is in many ways evocative of a masculine hero.

Lord Capulet

Juliet’s father, he is portrayed as an overbearing bully. Though he professes to act on behalf of his daughter’s wishes, his actions betray this as he arranges a marriage between Juliet and Paris. It is Lord Capulet’s tyrannical force which leads directly to the tragic end to the two lovers.

Lady Capulet

Weak-willed and submissive, Lady Capulet is at the complete bidding of her husband even to the exclusion of her daughter’s best interests. She refuses to intercede on Juliet’s behalf throughout the play. She is the counter to Lady Montague.

Juliet’s cousin. He is hot-headed and rash. His violent tendencies embody and enact the theme of hate and violence which runs along the themes of love. His anger leads to his own death and to the death of Mercutio.

Prince Escalus

The ruler of Venice, he is the figure of law and state authority. Even as he attempts to control the violence and discord in the play, the human passions of love and hate outstrip his authority and power.

Romeo’s kinsman and friend. Mercutio demonstrates wit and intelligence in the early parts of the play, perhaps to dramatize the power of the mind over the passions. His death in Act II marks the turning point in the play in which the action runs headlong toward tragic ends.

A noble young lord and apparent suitor to Juliet. Paris is the epitome of an arrogant young man, one who assumes his place of privilege. As much as Romeo is driven by love and passion, Paris is driven by pride and selfishness. His arrogance leads to his own death at the hands of Romeo.

Important Themes

Love as a romantic Ideal: Love as a theme plays out as a passionate force that cannot be ignored or controlled. Romeo falls in love with Juliet at first sight and every other consideration, including his own safety or even his own life, is immediately forgotten for the pursuit of romantic love. Juliet’s love is equally unstoppable. She too falls in love at first sight and is single-minded in her love for Romeo. To this extent, love is a wild and uncontrollable passion, one that seems to exist outside of any human agency or control. It operates like a kind of magic which overtakes the characters beyond their control. Love in this theme is romantic and beautiful and it is one of the primary sources for contemporary portrayals of love. This passionate and romantic love captures individuals and pits them against their circumstances, their families, and all of their cultural constraints.

Love as a violent passion: Love in Romeo and Juliet is also the catalyst for much of the violence. As much as love captivates the two lovers, it also fuels the passions which lead to duels and murder. If love is an uncontrollable force which launches two young people toward and inevitable union, it is also a destructive passion which causes discord and violence. The rancor between the Capulets and Montagues is barely under control with the intercession of Escalus. Passionate love is the primary force which breaks that fragile peace.

Individual versus Society: As the primary characters are put in action, each takes on a role which is in direct tension with their role as members of a social strata. Romeo is the son of a nobleman; his duty is to adhere to the patriarchal line and assume the role of a leader. His functions in society are prescribed by this role. As he is overtaken by his love for Juliet, he abandons this role and follows his individual inclinations and passions. The resulting discord is as much a result of this tension between the individual and the demands of society as it is passionate love. Likewise, Juliet, as a lady, is entirely bound to duty to her father and to the good of social peace. That she follows her passions is also an expression of individual will against social dictates. She also creates the discord which leads to tragedy. All of other primary character take their turns following their individual inclinations rather than the prescribed social roles. It can be argues that these expression of individual will over the greater good of the social body are the real causes of the tragic end.

Quotations and Analysis

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. . . . The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night.” (2.1.44–64)

Spoken by Romeo outside Juliet’s window, these are some of the most familiar lines in all of Shakespeare. This quotation contains the themes of light and dark in all of their complexity. Romeo’s unbounded love compels him to view Juliet as one who exceeds the stars and the heavens. The theme of passionate love is dramatized through this quotation. And the confusion of night and day, so crucial to the themes of the play, are fully articulated in the final line.

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” (2.1.74–78)

Again, one of the most well-known quotations in Shakespeare’s plays. These lines are spoken by Juliet during the balcony scene. In these lines we witness Juliet weighing her duty to her father and her family against her love of Romeo. This quotation dramatizes the themes of individual versus society, the individual against their own duty, and passionate love. All of these themes are the catalysts for romance and conflict.

“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife. . . ”

Spoken by the chorus in the Prologue to the play, these lines describe the tension between fate and individual will. How much of the action is due to the personal agency of the characters, and how much is purely written in the stars?

Symbolism in Romeo and Juliet

Light and Dark

As with so much of Shakespeare, the symbolism is always complex. Romeo and Juliet continually refer to each other in terms of light. They are “star-cross’d lovers” from the start. Romeo sees Juliet lit by a light in the darkness. Yet, throughout the play they are forced to cover their actions in darkness. They must hide in order to keep others in the dark. Though light is commonly associated with the good and dark associated with the bad, the darkness facilitates the love between Romeo and Juliet and light is the evil which exposes their tragic end.

Along with light and dark, the night plays a crucial role in the play. Night is often associated with evil and even old age. Yet, in Romeo and Juliet , the night facilitates the marriage between the two lovers. Night is the cover for all of their meetings and time together, including their covert marriage. But night is also the cover for plots and schemes. The two lovers also commit suicide in the night and morning brings the final reconciliation between the feuding families.

This two plays a double role in the play. It is the metaphor of the hatred between the Capulets and the Montagues. It is the sleeping potion designed to bring Romeo and Juliet together at last. And poison is the method of suicide. Poison in Romeo and Juliet is both a medicine and a toxin.

Key Facts about the Play

Full title: The Most Excellent Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet .

First published in 1597. Published by Thomas Creede in The First Folio Edition.

The play is based on a fourteenth-century novella.

One of the most quoted plays in history. The famous “balcony” scene had get its name long after Shakespeare’s death. The word “balcony” did not exist in his time.

Biography of William Shakespeare

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to William and Mary Shakespeare. His father was a successful businessman though not of noble birth. Shakespeare married at 18 to Anne Hathaway. They had three children although their only son, Hamnet, died at the age of 11. Little is known about Shakespeare’s life prior to coming to the stage during the reign of Elizabeth I. The author of 38 plays and 154 sonnets, Shakespeare is considered by many to be the greatest playwright in English literary history and his sonnets are regarded as a form of sonnet unto himself. Shakespeare died in 1616.

List of Works

Titus Andronicus first performed in 1594 (printed in 1594), Romeo and Juliet 1594-95 (1597), Hamlet 1600-01 (1603), Julius Caesar 1600-01 (1623), Othello 1604-05 (1622), Antony and Cleopatra 1606-07 (1623), King Lear 1606 (1608), Coriolanus 1607-08 (1623), derived from Plutarch Timon of Athens 1607-08 (1623), and Macbeth 1611-1612 (1623).

King Henry VI Part 1 1592 (printed in 1594); King Henry VI Part 2 1592-93 (1594); King Henry VI Part 3 1592-93 (1623); King John 1596-97 (1623); King Henry IV Part 1 1597-98 (1598); King Henry IV Part 2 1597-98 (1600); King Henry V 1598-99 (1600); Richard II 1600-01 (1597); Richard III 1601 (1597); and King Henry VIII 1612-13 (1623)

Taming of the Shrew first performed 1593-94 (1623), Comedy of Errors 1594 (1623), Two Gentlemen of Verona 1594-95 (1623), Love’s Labour’s Lost 1594-95 (1598), Midsummer Night’s Dream 1595-96 (1600), Merchant of Venice 1596-1597 (1600), Much Ado About Nothing 1598-1599 (1600), As You Like It 1599-00 (1623), Merry Wives of Windsor 1600-01 (1602), Troilus and Cressida 1602 (1609), Twelfth Night 1602 (1623), All’s Well That Ends Well 1602-03 (1623), Measure for Measure 1604 (1623), Pericles, Prince of Tyre 1608-09 (1609), Tempest (1611), Cymbeline 1611-12 (1623), Winter’s Tale 1611-12 (1623).

Summary and Dramatis Persona

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Romeo and Juliet (Literature)

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

6 August 2024

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A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet

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