Description

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by Shakespeare early in his career between 1591-1595 about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. The romance between Romeo and Juliet has become the foundation for many derivative romantic works and established the title characters as the best known of any young lovers in literature. Shakespeare borrowed from other famous tales written earlier in the sixteenth century but expanded upon the plot and characters to create his own version of the famous story. The play is set in Verona, Italy, and begins with a scuffle between members the rival families Montague and Capulet. The two families are sworn enemies. The beginning scuffle is between servants of those two houses and shows that the ill will and animosity of the families runs through the families from the primary members of the family down to their servants.