Romeo & Juliet
This story needs no introduction since almost no one on the planet doesn't know about it. Romeo and Juliet was an absolute masterpiece of the World's literature, it remains the best and most popular work of William Shakespeare. The love story revolves around Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love at first sight and secretly marry despite being prevented from being together by their feuding families. The story, of course, ends up with their deaths. Romeo & Juliet is the quintessential tragic love story, as evidenced by its countless stagings and numerous film adaptations.
The love story in Romeo and Juliet is based on an Italian tale translated into verse as The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure by William Painter in 1567. Shakespeare borrowed heavily from both but expanded the plot by developing a number of supporting characters.
In the story, Romeo and Juliet come from two feuding families: the Capulets and the Montagues. Initially, Romeo is actually in love with another girl named Rosaline. However, when he falls in love with Juliet the first time he meets her, the feeling is mutual. They confess their love to one another in the moonlight after Romeo sneaks into her backyard to see her once more on her balcony. After arranging a secret marriage through Friar Lawrence and the Nurse, the two are wed and plan to tell their families. However, things got out of hand, causing a death sentence for the pair of young lovers.
Juliet, whose father insists that she marry Count Paris, thinks of a way to get out of the situation by drinking a potion to make her appear dead, and then she will have Romeo bring her away. However, Romeo does not receive the news of the plan. He only receives word of her death. Overcome by grief, he goes to her tomb, drinks poison, and dies right before she awakens. Juliet sees Romeo’s body, grabs his dagger, and stabs herself. The two families swear to end their feud because they finally see the destruction their hatred has wrought.
