Romeo and Juliet

Title: Romeo and Juliet

Author: William Shakespeare

ISBN: 9780743477116

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Copyright: 2004 (1602)

Genre: Historical Fiction/Play

Age Range: 15+

Reader’s Annotation: Romeo and Juliet are lovers from two feuding families who end up buried together instead of the hatchet.

Plot Summary: The play is set in Verona and begins with a fight between the servants of the Montague and Capulet families, two families with a deep feud. Prince Escalus breaks up the fight and declares any further scuffles punishable by death. Old Capulet and Paris talk about marrying Capulet’s daughter Juliet. Capulet asks him to wait two years but invites him to the Capulet ball. Lady Capulet and Juliet's nurse try to talk Juliet into accepting Paris's courtship. Romeo, Old Montague's son, talks with his cousin Benvolio about his depression over a girl named Rosaline who is one of Capulet's nieces. Romeo is persuaded by Benvolio and Mercutio to attend the Capulet ball. Romeo meets Juliet and falls in love with her instead. Juliet's cousin Tybalt is enraged at Romeo for sneaking into the ball. He is only stopped from killing Romeo by Juliet's father, who doesn't wish to shed blood in his house. Romeo meets her on the balcony where they pledge their love for one another. With the help of Friar Laurence, they are secretly married the next day. The Friar hopes to reconcile the two families through their children's union.

            Tybalt is still out for blood and tracks down Romeo. Tybalt insults Romeo and challenges him to a duel. Romeo declines as they are secretly family now. Mercutio accepts the duel and is fatally wounded while Romeo is trying to break up the fight. In a rage, Romeo slays Tybalt. Prince Escalus is brought in to mediate. Old Montague argues that Romeo has justly executed Tybalt for the murder of Mercutio. The Prince banishes Romeo from Verona by daybreak under punishment of death if he returns. Romeo and Juliet spend the night together and they consummate their marriage. Misinterpreting Juliet's depression, Old Capulet agrees to marry her to Paris. If she does not accept, her father will disown her. She asks for a delay and he mother rejects her. Juliet visits Friar Laurence for help. He gives her a potion that she can drink to be put in a death like coma. She sends a note to Romeo about the plan. Will the note get to Romeo in time? Will someone discover the plan to escape with Romeo?

Critical Evaluation: Romeo and Juliet is considered a quintessential love and romance story. It is the basis for many different references. It is also taught in every high school whose primary language is English. It is an essential classic to have on the shelf. The story is appealing to both boys and girls. There is enough romance for girls to be interested. There is enough sword play for boys to keep continued interest as well. The story has been translated into plays, movies, musicals, and just about any adaptation one could think about. It is a piece of literature that can be used for dramatic structure, language, psychological theory, feminism, Queer theory, and historical value. The uses and applications of this piece of literature are only limited to the imagination of the person who is using it. It should be considered a must have for an young adult collection.

Author Information: Information about the life of William Shakespeare is often open to doubt. Some even doubt whether he wrote all plays ascribed to him. From the best available sources it seems William Shakespeare was born in Stratford on about April 23rd 1564. His father William was a successful local businessman and his mother Mary was the daughter of a landowner. Relatively prosperous, it is likely the family paid for Williams education, although there is no evidence he attended university.

In 1582 William, aged only 18, married an older woman named Anne Hathaway. Soon after they had their first daughter, Susanna. They had another two children but William’s only son Hamnet died aged only 11.

After his marriage, information about the life of Shakespeare is sketchy but it seems he spent most of his time in London writing and performing in his plays. It seemed he didn’t mind being absent from his family - only returning home during Lent when all theatres were closed. It is generally thought that during the 1590s he wrote the majority of his sonnets. This was a time of prolific writing and his plays developed a good deal of interest and controversy. Due to some well timed investments he was able to secure a firm financial background, leaving time for writing and acting. The best of these investments was buying some real estate near Stratford in 1605, which soon doubled in value. Source - http://www.biographyonline.net/poets/william_shakespeare.html

Curriculum Ties: English, Theater Arts, History, Psychology, LGBT Studies

Challenge Issues: Sexuality; Violence

Booktalk Ideas: Star-Crossed – One can talk about girlfriends and boyfriends. From there, one can move into the plot of Romeo and Juliet.