Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet

Introduction and Play Summary

William Shakespeare is historical writer in all aspects of English literature. One of his great works of all time is the Romeo and Juliet play. The play Romeo and Juliet as acted in the streets of Verona. The play starts as violence breaks out between servants of two noble families; the family of Capulet and that of Montague. Benvolio but who is from the Montague family tries to stop the violence, but it is in vain; he becomes involved when Tybalt who is a Capulet arrives on the scene. Wars become increasingly worse until Prince Escalus, who was the ruler of the Verona, tries a plan on which there will be no more conflicts between the families. The prince decrees death for any person who distracts peace in the community.

Romeo, who is a son of Montague, goes to his cousin Benvolio; Romeo reveals to Benvolio that he is in love with a woman known as Rosaline. Benvolio, however, does not encourage Romeo to continue with his relationship with Rosaline. Instead, he urges that Verona has more beautiful girls than Rosaline, and he should wait and look for another girl.

Paris,  a Kinsman to the Prince, is seeking Juliet’s hand in marriage. Juliet’s father Capulet, though he is happy to notice this, asks Paris to wait for two years since Juliet was less than Fourteen years hence she was not fit to enter into a marriage. Capulet invites a list of guests for his traditional Masquerade, Paris is one of the people who are invited to this event. Romeo and Benvolio, secretly comes across the list of the invented guests. Benvolio suggests to Romeo that they attend so that Romeo can come across other beautiful women of Verona. Romeo agrees with Benvolio that they should attend the event, the reason for Romeo attendance is because Rosaline is in the list of those to attend. Juliet has not made a decision about marrying Paris; she is in the confused state she goes further to seek advice from her mother and nurse.  

While in the party Romeo meets Juliet, and the two fall each other. They kiss even without knowing each other’s names. Juliet’s Father plans on how Juliet will get married to Paris. The plan for the wedding day and on hearing this Juliet together with Friar Lawrence and Romeo propose an alternative that will make the wedding is not successful. Together with Nurse Juliet plans that she should drink the potion. The alcohol will make her look as if she is dead. By looking dead, Juliet and Paris’ wedding was not continue as planned. The information about Juliet’s “death” gets to Romeo. Without knowing what had happened the young man decides to kill himself. He comes to the tomb where Juliet’s body was laid, coincidently he meets Paris and the two fight, and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo takes his life through poison after killing Paris. Juliet awakes she kisses Romeo lips that are full of poison, but this does not kill her. Instead, she buries Romeo’s dagger in her Chest, and this kills her.