Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
"Romeo and Juliet" is a tragic play by William Shakespeare that explores the destructive consequences of familial conflict and youthful passion. Set in Verona, Italy, the story revolves around two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The protagonists, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, fall deeply in love during a Capulet party, unaware of their families' long-standing enmity. Despite their love, the societal pressures and family loyalties surrounding them lead to a series of misunderstandings and tragic events.
After secretly marrying, the couple faces a whirlwind of conflict, including the death of Romeo's friend Mercutio at the hands of Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. Romeo avenges Mercutio's death, resulting in his banishment from Verona. Desperate to be with Romeo, Juliet seeks a plan from Friar Lawrence, involving a potion that makes her appear dead. However, the plan goes tragically awry when Romeo, believing Juliet to be truly dead, takes his own life beside her. Upon awakening to find Romeo dead, Juliet follows suit, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion.
The tragedy serves as a poignant commentary on the futility of hatred and the innocence of love, ultimately leading to a reconciliation between the two families. "Romeo and Juliet" remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring works, capturing the complexities of love and conflict that resonate across cultures and generations.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
First produced: c. 1595–1596; first published, 1597
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Tragedy
Time of plot: Fifteenth century
Locale: Verona, Italy
Principal Characters
Romeo , son of the house of MontagueJuliet , daughter of the house of CapuletFriar Lawrence , a FranciscanMercutio , Romeo’s friendTybalt , Lady Capulet’s nephew
The Story
In Verona, Italy, there live two famous families, the Montagues and the Capulets. These two houses are deadly enemies, and their enmity does not stop at harsh words, but extend to bloody duels. Romeo, son of old Montague, thinks himself in love with haughty Rosaline, a beautiful girl who does not return his affection. Hearing that Rosaline is to attend a great feast at the house of Capulet, Romeo and his trusted friend, Mercutio, don masks and enter the great hall of their enemy as guests. Romeo is no sooner in the ballroom than he notices the exquisite Juliet, Capulet’s daughter, and instantly forgets his disdainful Rosaline. Romeo never saw Juliet before, and in asking her name he arouses the suspicion of Tybalt, a fiery member of the Capulet clan. Tybalt draws his sword and faces Romeo. Old Capulet, coming upon the two men, parts them, and with the gentility that comes with age requests that they have no bloodshed at the feast. Tybalt, however, is angered that a Montague should take part in Capulet festivities and afterward nurses a grudge against Romeo.
Romeo goes to Juliet, still not knowing who she is, and speaks in urgent courtliness to her, asking if he might kiss her hand. She gives her permission, much impressed by this unknown gentleman whose affection for her is so evident. Romeo then begs to kiss her lips, and when she has no breath to object, he presses her to him. They are interrupted by Juliet’s nurse, who sends the young girl off to her mother. When she goes, Romeo learns from the nurse that Juliet is a Capulet. He is stunned, for he is certain that this fact will mean his death. He can never give her up. Juliet, who fell instantly in love with Romeo, discovers that he is a Montague, the son of a hated house.
That night Romeo, too much in love to go home to sleep, steals to Juliet’s house and stands in the orchard beneath a balcony that leads to her room. To his surprise, he sees Juliet leaning over the railing above him. Thinking herself alone, she begins to talk of Romeo and wishes aloud that he were not a Montague. Hearing her words, Romeo can contain himself no longer, but speaks to her. She is frightened at first, and when she sees who it is she is confused and ashamed that he overheard her confession. It is too late to pretend reluctance. Juliet freely admits her passion, and the two exchange vows of love. Juliet tells Romeo that she will marry him and will send him word by nine o’clock the next morning to arrange for their wedding.
Romeo then goes off to the monastery cell of Friar Lawrence to enlist his help in the ceremony. The good friar is much impressed with Romeo’s devotion. Thinking that the union of a Montague and a Capulet will dissolve the enmity between the two houses, he promises to marry Romeo and Juliet.
Early the next morning, while he is in company with his two friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo receives Juliet’s message, brought by her nurse. He tells the old woman of his arrangement with Friar Lawrence and bids her carry the word back to Juliet. The nurse gives her mistress the message. When Juliet appears at the friar’s cell at the appointed time, she and Romeo are married. Time is short, however, and Juliet has to hurry home. Before she leaves, Romeo promises that he will meet her in the orchard underneath the balcony after dark that night.
That same day, Romeo’s friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, are loitering in the streets when Tybalt comes by with some other members of the Capulet house. Tybalt, still holding his grudge against Romeo, accuses Mercutio of keeping company with the hateful and villainous young Montague. Mercutio, proud of his friendship with Romeo, cannot take insult lightly, for he is as hot-tempered when provoked as Tybalt. The two are beginning their heated quarrel when Romeo, who just returned from his wedding, appears. He is appalled at the situation because he knows that Juliet is fond of Tybalt, and he wishes no injury to his wife’s people. He tries in vain to settle the argument peaceably. Mercutio is infuriated by Romeo’s soft words, and when Tybalt calls Romeo a villain, Mercutio draws his sword and rushes to his friend’s defense. Tybalt, the better swordsman, gives Mercutio a mortal wound. Romeo can try to settle the fight no longer. Enraged at the death of his friend, he rushes at Tybalt with drawn sword and kills him quickly. The fight soon brings crowds of people to the spot. For his part in the fray, Romeo is banished from Verona.
Hiding out from the police, he goes, grief-stricken, to Friar Lawrence’s cell. The friar advises him to go to his wife that night, and then at dawn to flee to Mantua until the friar sees fit to publish the news of the wedding. Romeo consents to follow this advice. As darkness falls, he goes to meet Juliet. When dawn appears, heartsick Romeo leaves for Mantua.
Meanwhile, Juliet’s father decides that it is time for his daughter to marry. Having not the slightest idea of her love for Romeo, the old man demands that she accept her handsome and wealthy suitor, Paris. Juliet is horrified at her father’s proposal but dares not tell him of her marriage because of Romeo’s part in Tybalt’s death. She fears that her husband will be instantly sought out and killed if her family learns of the marriage.
At first she tries to put off her father with excuses. Failing to persuade him, she goes in dread to Friar Lawrence to ask the good monk what she could do. Telling her to be brave, the friar gives her a small flask of liquid which he tells her to swallow the night before her wedding to Paris. This liquid will make her appear to be dead for a certain length of time; her seemingly lifeless body will then be placed in an open tomb for a day or two, and during that time the friar would send for Romeo, who would rescue his bride when she awakens from the powerful effects of the draught. Then, together, the two will be able to flee Verona. Juliet almost loses courage over this desperate venture, but she promises to obey the friar. On the way home she meets Paris and modestly promises to be his bride.
The great house of the Capulets no sooner prepares for a lavish wedding than it becomes the scene of a mournful funeral. Juliet swallows the strong liquid and seems lifeless. Her anguished family sadly places her body in the tomb.
Meanwhile Friar Lawrence writes to Romeo in Mantua, telling him of the plan by which the lovers can make their escape together. These letters, however, fail to reach Romeo before word of Juliet’s death arrives. He determines to go to Verona and take his last farewell of her as she lies in her tomb, and there, with the help of poison procured from an apothecary, to die by her side.
Reaching the tomb at night, Romeo is surprised to find a young man there. It is Paris, who comes to weep over his lost bride. Thinking Romeo a grave robber, he draws his sword. Romeo, mistaking Paris for a hated Capulet, warns him that he is desperate and armed. Paris, in loyalty to Juliet, falls upon Romeo, but Romeo kills him. By the light of a lantern, Romeo recognizes Paris and, taking pity on one who also loved Juliet, draws him into the tomb so that Paris, too, can be near her. Then Romeo goes to the bier of his beautiful bride. Taking leave of her with a kiss, he drinks the poison he brought with him and soon dies by her side.
It is near the time for Juliet to awaken from her deathlike sleep. The friar, hearing that Romeo never received his letters, goes himself to deliver Juliet from the tomb. When he arrives, he finds Romeo dead. Juliet, waking, asks for her husband. Then, seeing him lying near her with an empty cup in his hands, she guesses what he did. She tries to kiss some of the poison from his lips that she, too, might die, but failing in this, she unsheathes his dagger and without hesitation plunges it into her breast.
By this time a guard comes up. Seeing the dead lovers and the body of Paris, he rushes off in horror to spread the news. When the Capulets and Montagues arrives at the tomb, the friar tells them of the unhappy fate that befell Romeo and Juliet, whose only sin was to love. His account of their tender and beautiful romance shames the two families, and over the bodies of their dead children they swear to end the feud of many years.
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