Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career near the end of the 16th century. This story of a love that can never be truly realized and the tragedy that ensues, involves two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who had been engaged in a blood feud for many years. Based upon an Italian tale which was translated by 16th century English poet Arthur Brooke into the narrative poem “The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet,” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was among his most popular plays during the Bard’s lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays today. Romeo and Juliet had a profound influence on subsequent literature. The archetypal young lovers in Romeo and Juliet, regarded as one of the greatest and most tragic love stories of all time, has generated the most, and most varied, adaptations, including prose and verse narratives, drama, opera, orchestral and choral music, ballet, film, television, and painting. Before then, romance had not even been viewed as a worthy topic for tragedy. As Harold Bloom writes, Shakespeare "invented the formula that the sexual becomes the erotic when crossed by the shadow of death.” The word "Romeo" has even become synonymous with "male lover" in English. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 56
Page
... that house shall move me to stand . I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's . GREGORY . That shows thee a weak slave , for the weakest goes to the wall . SAMPSON . True, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever.
... that house shall move me to stand . I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's . GREGORY . That shows thee a weak slave , for the weakest goes to the wall . SAMPSON . True, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever.
Page
... thee. GREGORY. How? Turn thy back and run? SAMPSON. Fear me not. GREGORY. No, marry; I fear thee! SAMPSON. Let us take the law of our sides; let.
... thee. GREGORY. How? Turn thy back and run? SAMPSON. Fear me not. GREGORY. No, marry; I fear thee! SAMPSON. Let us take the law of our sides; let.
Page
... thee Benvolio, look upon thy death. BENVOLIO. I do but keep the peace, put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me. TYBALT. What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee ...
... thee Benvolio, look upon thy death. BENVOLIO. I do but keep the peace, put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me. TYBALT. What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee ...
Page
... thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your ...
... thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your ...
Page
... thee ? BENVOLIO . Groan ! Why , no ; But sadly tell me who . ROMEO . Bid a sick man in sadness make his will , A word ill urg'd to one that is so ill . In sadness , cousin , I do love a woman . BENVOLIO . I aim'd so near when I suppos'd ...
... thee ? BENVOLIO . Groan ! Why , no ; But sadly tell me who . ROMEO . Bid a sick man in sadness make his will , A word ill urg'd to one that is so ill . In sadness , cousin , I do love a woman . BENVOLIO . I aim'd so near when I suppos'd ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ABRAM Alack APOTHECARY aqua vitae art thou BALTHASAR banished beauty bite my thumb CAPULET'S HOUSE cell County Paris cousin crystal scales daughter dead dear death dost thou doth Enter CAPULET Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE Enter JULIET Enter ROMEO Exeunt Exit eyes fair fair Verona Farewell father fear fee simple flower FRIAR JOHN gentleman give golden window gone grave GREGORY grief hand hate hath hear heart heaven hence Here’s hither holy hour kinsman kiss LADY MONTAGUE lips live look lord love’s lovers Madam maid maidenhead Mantua marriage married MERCUTIO mistress MUSICIAN naked weapon night peace PETER pray thee PRINCE PRINCE ESCALUS quarrel Rosaline SAMPSON SCENE slain soul speak stand stay sweet sword tears tell thine thou art thou hast thou wilt Thursday tomorrow tonight Tybalt Verona villain watch weep wife Wilt thou word young Zounds