The Tragic Love Story Between Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, a play by William Shakespeare revolves around the tragic love story between Romeo, the young heir of the Montagues, and Juliet, the daughter of the house of Capulet. Shakespearean plays are generally classified as comedies, histories, romances, and tragedies of which this play is regarded as the most well known. A long standing feud between the Motagues and the house of Capulet forces Romeo and Juliet to embark on a secret love journey, marriage, and ultimately their own deaths.

The play opens with great excitement. Two servants from the house of Capulet stir up trouble by chastising a couple of Montague servants. An ensuing brawl erupts when Benvolio, cousin to Romeo, draws his sword, and in return Tybalt, cousin to Juliet, draws his sword. Things escalate with Lord Capulet and Lord Montague ready to battle until Lady Capulet restrains her husband. When the prince arrives all things are silenced as the prince is not in favor of the violence.

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Romeo, who had been absent from the brawl, appears and is somber as his heart is aching. He is in love with Rosaline, however she is seeking a life of chastity.

The story continues as a ball is planned at the Capulet's. A kinsman of the prince, Paris, is quite interested in wedding Juliet, however it is deemed she is too young to wed. Lord Capulet states 'let two more summers wither in their pride, ere we may think her too ripe to be a bride.' Nonetheless Paris is invited to the evening ball.

A servant, Peter, is sent out to invite people to the ball, however Peter cannot read and he invites Romeo. a Montague, to the ball. The suspense begins to mount at this point.

As they prepare for the ball Juliet is pressured to surmise her interest in Paris. Juliet agrees to look him over, however she will also look for other eligible men. Meanwhile Romeo is hesitant to go, still hurting from the shunning he received from Rosaline. His comrade Mercutio, a witty skeptic who defies love, urges Romeo to attend the ball.

In one of the most valued scenes, the ball begins where all are masked. It is not long before Romeo notices Juliet from afar. However, Romeo is also noticed by Tybalt, cousin to Juliet, and a very aggressive man with true hatred for the Montagues. Tybalt is restrained by Lord Capulet but he does promise revenge. Romeo amd Juliet do meet at this moment and share brief conversation before their first kiss, where Juliet is surely smitten by saying 'you kiss by the book.'

Having left the ball, Romeo decides he cannot leave without seeing Juliet one more time. He climbs a wall and ends in the Capulet orchard, below a window where Juliet appears. Romeo muses to himself in a romantic ramble, meanwhile Juliet is asking herself why Romeo has to be a Montague. In a most famous phrase, Juliet exclaims 'O Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo?' Then, it is apparent to Juliet that Romeo is present. Juliet warns Romeo that he surely will be murdered if caught here. Romeo brushes this off, for he is in love. Juliet promises to wed Romeo if he is true to his love for her. She will send soemone to see him at nine o'clock the next morning to confirm his true love for her.

The next morning Romeo finds Friar Lawrence tending to his medicinal garden. It appears to him that Romeo has been out all night, asking if he had sinned with Rosaline. Rome responds 'I have forgot that name, and that name is woe.' He continues that he desires the fair daughter of the Capulet's. Friar Lawrence reluctantly agrees to their marriage, hoping perhaps it may end the long standing feud. Meanwhile, Benvolio and Mercutio are curious as to Romeo's thoughts and passion. It is learned that Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a duel and definite concern is evident.

With little fanfare, Romeo and Julet are wed in Friar Lawrence cell. Perhaps forshadowing the fate of each, Friar Lawrence exclaims 'these violent delights have violent ends.' Roemo and juliet share a passionate kiss and the ceremony ends.

Benvolio and Mercutio find themselves walking the streets, fearing any confrontation of Capulet men. They escape the heat and find a place indoors where they are quckly found by Tybalt. Tybalt is in search of Romeo who is also present. Tybalt draws his sword, however it is Mercutio who battles Tybalt and quickly loses this sword fight which culminates in his death. After confirming death, Romeo is furious, and he himself stabs Tybalt and kills him.

Romeo is sent in exile by the Prince. Juliet soon hears of the news and consults the Nurse. After chastising Romeo for Killing Juliet's cousin, Nurse promises to find Romeo, for she believes he is in hiding at Friar Lawrence cell. Juliet is satisfied, saying 'Give this ring to my true knight, and bid him come to take his last farewell.'

Friar Lawrence advises Romeo to take his leave to Mantua as he will work to gain acceptance of the secret marrtiage. Romeo is unwilling to leave as he will be self-tortured being away from Juliet for any amount of time. The Friar promises he will seek a pardon from the prince and Romeo shall be free to seek one night alone with his new bride.

At the same moment, Lord Capulet realized perhaps time may be wasting and with the death of Tybalt he is now giving permission for Julet to wed Paris. Romeo does visit Juliet with no interference that night, and departs down the ladder. The next day, the news is shared with Juliet of her arranged marriage to Paris. She relentlessly denies this news to the dismay of her father. Lord Capulet goes into a tirade of insults, yet Juliet maintains he position of denial.

Paris meets with Friar Lawrence in his cell to discuss the upcoming marriage. Also, Juliet appears to speak to the Friar as well. A transgression of words between the two culminates in Paris' zest for Juliet, and Juliet's disdain for Paris, as she is in love and already wed to Romeo. Juliet even pulls a knife out and tells Friar Lawrence that she would rather be dead. The Friar then shares his master plan, Juliet will take a potion that will put her to sleep for 42 hours and appear to be dead, cancelling the planned wedding. Juliet agrees.

The wedding day is off to a bustling startand the Nurse goes to awake Julet. She is unable to awake Juliet yet she laments jokes. Next to arrive is Lady Capulet who is horrified of he daughter's death. Lord Capulet and Friar Lawrence also arrive, the Friar acting as if he had no idea how or why this happened.

Romeo, in exile in Manua, wakes from a dream in which he is dead but Juliet kisses him bak to life. Balthasar, Romeo's servant, shares the news of Juliet's death. Romeo asks that he is not deceived and is there a letter from the Friar? Romeo sends for a horse to go back to Verona to commit suicide next to Juliet's grave.

It is here where Romeo encounters Paris who is dropping petals in remembrance. Romeo announces he may take his own life, 'Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.' What enuses is a fight between the two with Romeo killing Paris. Believing she is dead, Romeo drinks poison strong enogh to kill twenty men. Juliet does awake from her sleep, she herself wants to die if Romeo is no longer so she kisses his lips hoping the poison is enough to take her life. Realizing the poison is not enough, she takes Romeo's dagger and takes her own life.

Shakespeare's tragic story is also one of love and decisions to follow one's heart to a tragic end. It is also a story of fate, the fate of not only the title characters but others such as Tybalt and Mercutio. It is also a tale of light and darkness with sprinkles of comedy, mainly from the Nurse and Mercutio. Shakespeare shares many exciting action scenes in between dialogue to share excitement and generate interest.