Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

THE PLOT

A very long time ago, in the Italian city of Verona, there were two families: the Montagues and the Capulets. Both families were famous, rich and popular but they hated each other. Verona also had a very wise Prince who had relatives in both of the feuding families so he didn’t want them to fight.

Romeo was Signore Montague’s only son. He was so much in love with Rosaline that he could hardly think of anything else.  However, she didn’t love him back and that made him feel unhappy. One day when Romeo and a friend of his were walking, they met one of the Capulets’ servants who could not read the guest list for a costume party that his lord was having that night. Going to that party was a great opportunity for Romeo to see Rosaline.

 

The Capulets’ party was truly magnificent.  The best thing about it, though, was that everyone wore masks so that it was a kind of game to figure out who each person was. When Romeo saw Juliet, he fell in love with her and forgot all about Rosaline. It was love at first sight! That night Romeo crept over to Juliet’s balcony and gave her a rose. Juliet told him that if he was serious about loving her, he should arrange for them to get married.

Romeo and Juliet secretly got married. Friar Lawrence agreed to marry them hoping that their marriage might bring peace between their families. After the wedding, Romeo had to use force to break up a fight between Mercutio, a relative of the Prince of Verona and Tybalt, one of Capulet’s nephews. Mercutio was killed during the fight and Romeo felt guilty about what had happened. He killed Tybalt but when the Prince was informed about that, he banished Romeo from Verona. Both Romeo and Juliet were desperate as they did not have much time to enjoy their marriage.

Juliet went to Friar Lawrence for advice. He gave her a drug that was supposed to make her sleep very deeply. According to the Friar’s plan, her parents would think that she was dead. Meanwhile, the Friar would send a letter to tell Romeo who was in Mantua about the plan. Unfortunately, the letter never reached Romeo, who, like everyone else, believed Juliet had really died. He travelled to Verona, opened the door to the mausoleum where Juliet lay, he kissed her and drank the poison he had bought. When Juliet woke up, she saw that Romeo was dead. She was so sad that she took Romeo’s sword and stabbed herself. “At least we’ll be together in death,” she whispered as she fell.

                                      

THE MAIN CHARACTERS

Romeo had dark hair and brown eyes. He was a very handsome and brave young man.

Juliet was a very beautiful woman with long blond hair. She had a lot of common sense since she realized that boys would sometimes say things without meaning them.

THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT

The most important event is when Juliet drinks the drug so as to avoid getting married to Paris. She decides to do it despite all the doubts that she has about the Friar’s plan.

MY OPINION

I recommend this book to my classmates, as it is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

If you want to find information about Shakespeare, click on '
 http://absoluteshakespeare.com/william_shakespeare.htm

Stella Vouskoudaki