Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of two young lovers who are caught in the middle of a feud between their families, the Montagues, and the Capulets. Romeo, a Montague, is in love with Juliet, a Capulet, and their families are sworn enemies. Despite the obstacles they face, Romeo and Juliet declare their love for each other and secretly marry each other. The play is set in the Italian city of Verona. and is a timeless exploration of the themes of love, passion, hatred, and the destructive power of violence.
This was the first Shakespeare play I read, so getting used to the language used at the time period and the story took some time but the story as a whole was great. It is revealed to the reader from the start that Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed lovers” meaning the story will end in tragedy and that fate has been set. Exploring the theme of fate was interesting to me because no matter what you do you cannot change the outcome.
I give Romeo and Juliet a 4 out of 5 because it is a very influential work that many stories draw from today. I think everyone should read this play even if you don’t like dramas because it has more to offer.