Romeo and Juliet.

Essay by aznsoljuhJunior High, 9th gradeA+, May 2003

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Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is perhaps the most recognized tragedy of all time. Although it is over 400 years old, Romeo and Juliet, weaves as interesting a tale, today as when it was first created. Perhaps this appeal lies in the subject matter, which is simply, love. Shakespeare picked a theme that has been known to cause sleep loss for centuries, and perhaps insanity. And yet, regardless of the ills associated with it, love remains a topic of worldwide interest. Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth Edition) defines it as: 1. (1): strong affection for another rising out of kinship or personal ties. 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion. 3: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. 4: to thrive on. To further grasp what fate and true love are, or how it can escalate to tragedy, we must further investigate Romeo and Juliet.

Set in the Italian town of Verona, it tells the story of two young lovers from rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who end up dying to be with each other. If the feud had never taken place, there would not have been the hostility and rivalry between the two families. Together, fate and love are to be blamed for the appalling string of events that we now call the worlds greatest tragedy.

The tragedy is initiated by Romeo and Juliet falling in love because fate has pre-destined their meeting. It is first in the prologue that the audience hears of a brief plot summary that sums up the play. They are told of the quarrel between the families, and how the feud will end with the destruction of their children. Romeo and Juliet are described as a pair of star-crossed lovers. This suggests that fate has brought them...