Romeo and Juliet is a popular novel written by English poet, playwright and dramatist; Williams Shakespeare. It is a tragedy written book which was said to be written in 1597. The author, switched from drama to poetic verses in this widely read book. There is also a long list of characters in this book which includes Romeo (hero), Juliet (heroine), Rosaline, Paris, Tybalt, Friar Lawrence, Mercutio, Benvolio amongst others. The book centered on a love story between two young lovers. They story ends with tragedy.
In the story, a street fight breaks out in the Italian city of Verona between members and servants of two noble families which have long been enemies, the Capulets and the Montagues. This fight rages until Prince Escalus , the ruler, arrives to stop it.
Romeo (hero) was noticed by his parents (Lord and Lady Montague) to be acting strange. They therefore urge his cousin, Benvolio to help find the reason for it. He revealed to his cousin that he is in despair because his love for Rosaline is not returned. They found out that the Capulets’ were having a feast that night so they both disguised to the party. Romeo forgot his love for Rosaline when he saw Juliet for she was beautiful. He then confesses love for her in which she returned. They were later shocked to find out that they both belonged to the two contrasting families. Nevertheless, Romeo promises to marry Juliet. Friar Lawrence then joined them together hoping that would end the feud between the two families.
Tybalt; Juliet’s cousin has recognized Romeo despite his disguise to the Capulets’ feast. The hot-tempered Tybalt was annoyed and considered Romeo’s presence an insult to his family and was determined to revenge it. The pair met shortly after the wedding but Romeo refused to fight Tybalt. Romeo’s friend saw this as an act of cowardice, fight Tybalt himself was killed. His death angers Romeo, who fights and kills Tybalt. He is then banished from Verona and sets out for exile in Mantua.
Lord Capulet tries to force Juliet on Count Paris but she refused. She sought Friar Lawrence for advice. He gave her drugs which made her unconscious for forty two hours. She was laid in the family tomb the next day she was to be given out to Paris. Friar Lawrence then send message to summon Romeo secretly to Verona to assist her lover to escape. There was a plague in Verona at that time which never makes the message reach him.
The lover boy was eventually informed by his servant, Balthasar in Mantua who thought Juliet was really dead. He then bought a poison as he hurried to the tomb. Paris tried to prevent him from entering the tomb so he was killed. Romeo took the poison and laid beside Juliet. Friar Lawrence now arrives only to find Juliet waking up. When she discovered he was dead by her aside, she in turn killed herself with a dagger. A crowd from the city reaches the tomb, and Friar Lawrence unfolds to them the whole tragic story of the two lovers. The two families eventually reconciled after their death.
