“Romeo and Juliet” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare between 1591-1595, and it remains one of his most popular and frequently performed plays. The romance between Romeo and Juliet has become the foundation for many derivative romantic works and established the title characters as the best known of any young lovers in literature. Shakespeare borrowed from other famous tales written earlier in the sixteenth century but expanded upon the plot and characters to create his own version of the famous story.
The play is set in Verona, Italy, and begins with a scuffle between members the rival families Montague and Capulet.
An age-old vendetta between two powerful families erupts into bloodshed.
A group of masked Montague risk further conflict by gatecrashing a Capulet party. A young lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet, who is due to marry her father’s choice, the County Paris.
With the help of Juliet’s nurse, the women arrange for the couple to marry the next day, but Romeo’s attempt to halt a street fight leads to the death of Juliet’s own cousin, Tybalt, for which Romeo is banished.
In a desperate attempt to be reunited with Romeo, Juliet follows the Friar’s plot and fakes her own death.
The message fails to reach Romeo, and believing Juliet dead, he takes his life in her tomb. Juliet wakes to find Romeo’s corpse beside her and kills herself.
The grieving family agree to end their feud.
