ROMEO AND JULIET

-WILLIAM

SHAKESPEARE

ABOUT AUTHOR
William Shakespeare was an English poet,

playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the

greatest writer in the English language and
the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Shakespeare produced most of his known
work between 1589 and 1613.His early plays
were primarily comedies and histories, and
these are regarded as some of the best work
ever produced in these genres. Many of his
plays were published in editions of varying
quality and accuracy during his lifetime.

ABOUT STORY
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William

Shakespeare early in his career about two young starcrossed 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. Shakespeare's use of
his poetic dramatic structure (especially effects such as
switching between comedy and tragedy to heighten
tension, his expansion of minor characters, and his use of
sub-plots to embellish the story) has been praised as an
early sign of his dramatic skill. The play ascribes different
poetic forms to different characters, sometimes changing
the form as the character develops.

CHARACTERS
Ruling house of Verona
Prince Escalus is the ruling Prince of Verona.
Count Paris is a kinsman of Escalus who wishes to marry Juliet.
Mercutio is another kinsman of Escalus, and a friend of Romeo.

House of Montague
Montague is the patriarch of the house of Montague.
Lady Montague is the matriarch of the house of Montague.
Romeo is the son of Montague, and the play's male protagonist.
Benvolio is Romeo's cousin and best friend.
Abram and Balthasar are servants of the Montague household.

CHARACTERS
House of Capulet
Capulet is the patriarch of the house of Capulet.
Lady Capulet is the matriarch of the house of Capulet.
Juliet is the 13-year-old daughter of Capulet, and the
play's female protagonist.
Tybalt is a cousin of Juliet, and the nephew of Lady
Capulet.
The Nurse is Juliet's personal attendant and confidante.
Rosaline is Lord Capulet's niece, and Romeo's love in the
beginning of the story.
Peter, Sampson and Gregory are servants of the Capulet
household.

SUMMARY
Romeo and Juliet fall in love at a party. But they come from families

which hate each other. They are sure they will not be allowed to marry.
Nevertheless, helped by Friar Laurence, they marry in secret instead.
Unfortunately, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a
duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to
the city, he will be put to death.
Juliet's parents told her she must marry Paris. Her parents do not know
she is already married. She refuses in the beginning, but later agrees
because she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo
forever; again with the help of Friar Laurence.
Frair Laurence designs the plan. He gives Juliet a sleeping potion. She
appears to be dead and was put in a tomb. However, Romeo does not
know about the plan, visits her grave, thinks she is dead, and kills
himself. When Juliet finally wakes up, she discovers that Romeo is dead
and then kills herself.