This tragedy written by William Shakespeare features two feuding families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Because of constant fighting, Prince Escalus, the ruler of Verona, declares death to any man that disturbs the peace in the future. While Romeo mopes about Rosaline, a woman who does not return his love, to his cousin Benvolio, Juliet, a Capulet is considering marriage to Paris, a kinsman of the Prince. Both Juliet and Romeo find themselves at the same feast, where Romeo instantly falls in love with Juliet. After the two kiss, Romeo learns that she is a Capulet, and becomes horribly distraught.
Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret. He believes that their marriage could be the end to their families ongoing feud. Later, a fight ensues between the two families. Mercutio is stabbed, and full of anger, Romeo kills Tybalt. Juliet’s father now insists that she marries Paris, and Juliet turns to her nurse for advice. Her nurse says to leave Romeo and to go through with the marriage to Paris.
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Friar Lawrence concocts a potion that will make it seem as if Juliet is dead, where Romeo will retrieve her and they can live together, in peace. After some confusion, Romeo hears that Juliet has died. Romeo decides to take his own life at Juliet’s tomb, and dies at her side. Juliet awakens to see Romeo dead, and kisses his poisoned lips. As that does not kill her, she grabs his dagger and stabs herself.
Spine:
To seek true love.
Messages and Concepts:
Romeo and Juliet represent the power, but also the tragedy, of love. Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet’s love is powerful and passionate. However, their love also brings destruction, chaos, and most importantly, death. Their suicide represents eternal connection not only between the young lovers, but between the feuding families as well. The love that Romeo and Juliet shared brought their town peace.
The play also revolves around the notion of individuals versus society. Romeo and Juliet would give up everything in order to be together in peace. However, their responsibilities to their families and to their societies keep them apart.
Finally, fate is a true concept of the play. No matter what both Romeo and Juliet did, their fate of death had been decided. Shakespeare often foreshadows of their imminent deaths, “If he be married / My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” (if Romeo is already married, she will be devastated). However, the fate of their deaths brought them eternal love.
