Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare more famous works of literature. The story, which takes place in the town of Verona, is about a young man, Romeo, who falls in mutual love with a young woman named Juliet. While this may seem more then normal in any other work, this causes a big problem in this love story.

At the time that this story is supposebly taking place there is a major war going on between two high powered, royal families, the Montagues, and the Capulets. These two families have been waging war since before any of these characters were born and have a long history of violent street fights that sometimes end up in murders. Romeo happens to be a Montague, and Juliet happens to be a part of the rival family, the Capulets. Romeo is so deep in love with this girl that even when he finds out the she is a Capulet, he decides that he still loves her despite what may happen to the both of them. Romeo proceeds to go to Juliet’s house and confess his love to her while she is standing on her balcony, she then confesses her love for him as well, the agreed to secretly get married the very next day. Friar Lawrence agrees to secretly marry the two young people in a desperate attempt to end the long-lasting family wars.

Now there are two reasons why this forbidden love would cause and increase in tensions among the two families. First reason is the obvious reason that they are sworn enemies, second is the fact that Juliet’s parents had a husband already picked out for her, his name was Paris. Paris is a very rich young prince who cares very much for Juliet, and wishes to marry her. However, Juliet does not love him and refuses to accept his marriage proposal.

During all of this, the two families have another violent street battle that cost Mercutio, a dear friend of Romeos, his life. Mercutio was slayed by a Capulet who’s name was Tybalt, this also happened to be Juliet’s cousin. In a fit of rage for his lost friend Romeo tracks Tybalt down and engages in a battle with him, Romeo kills Tybat. Because of his hasty actions against Tyabalt, Romeo is