Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

- Infancio Pires

Romeo and Juliet is a story from Verona, Italy. It’s about a love story of two young lovers Romeo and Juliet. There is a long dispute between the Montague and Capulet families. Romeo belonged to the Montague family while Juliet belonged to the Capulet family. They both fall in love with each other at a party. Since they come from families which dislike each other, they were sure they will not be allowed to marry. Romeo and his cousins would often get into arguments and fights with the cousins of Juliet. Knowing a marriage would be impossible and the parents would not give their consent, they with the help of Friar Laurence, marry in secret. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, searches for Romeo, but gets into an argument with Romeo’s friend and kills one of them. This makes Romeo furious and he chases him and ends up killing Tybalt in a duel. When the Prince of Verona arrives at the murder scene, he banishes Romeo form Verona and warns him that his returns to the city, would lead to his death.

Meanwhile Juliet's parents wanted her to marry a noble man named Paris. Juliet’s parents were unaware that she was already married. Juliet refused to marry, her father even threatened to disown her. After a lot of declining Juliet finally agrees because she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo forever this was done with the help of Friar Laurence who was an expert in the field of medicine.

Friar Laurence envisaged a plan. He gave Juliet a potion which would put her to sleep for a certain period. Where she would appear to be dead. Friar Laurence who had come to preside over the marriage suggested that they should have her funeral rites without any further delay. The demise of Juliet left all the marriage guest grief stricken. Her potential groom too was shocked and heartbroken. On the other hand Friar Laurence sends a novice to inform Romeo about the plan he had chalked. Unfortunately Romeo’s cousin who was unaware of the plan reaches Romeo before, and informs him of Juliet’s death. By the time the novice reachs Romeo it was too late, Romeo had already left to see her mortal remains. On the way to her tomb he buys the deadliest poison to kill himself. When he reaches the entrance of the tomb he finds Paris who was supposed to marry Juliet guarding the tomb. Romeo battles him and kills him just to get the last glimpse of his true love. On seeing Juliet’s dead body lying in the tomb, Romeo drinks the poison and gives her a last kiss and dies.  

On the other hand Friar Laurence comes to know that Romeo has not received his note and hurries to the tomb. But by the time he reaches the tomb Romeo is already dead, while Juliet slowly wakes up from the effect of the medicine. Friar Laurence tries to convince Juliet to flee, but upon seeing Romeo’s dead body she takes a dagger and kills herself. The people of the town getting to know about the tragedy that took place comes to the tomb, both the Montague as well as the Capulet families arrives. Friar Laurence tells the whole story and finally the two families agree to live in fellowship ones again.