Romeo and Juliet Essay

The Shakespearean classic, Romeo and Juliet, explores the tragic love story of its two protagonists. It was written around 1594–1596 and was first published in 1597. The extraordinary love story of Romeo and Juliet has been depicted multiple times in movies, theatre, television, music, and literature. 

The play follows the tale of two star-crossed lovers whose families are mortal enemies. In the end, Romeo and Juliet’s death leads to the reconciliation of the two feuding families, the Montagues, and the Capulets. 

Shakespeare’s inspiration for the play came from a poem by English poet Arthur Brooke. The narrative poem is called “The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet,” and it was published in 1562. The poem itself is based on a French translation of Matteo Bandello’s literature. In Shakespeare’s version, the tale is set in the town of Verona, Italy. 

The main characters Romeo and Juliet belonged to influential families. Despite all odds, they find each other and immediately fall in love. However, the animosity between the two families ultimately results in the death of the teenagers. The play inspects the role of families, friends, and society at large in creating devastating circumstances. 

The takeaway of Romeo and Juliet is that true love is blind. It conveys that life without love is not worth living, its mere existence. The lovers strive to be together regardless of the threat they face from their own families. By falling in love, Romeo and Juliet become better versions of themselves. Their characters become more confident and courageous as the story progresses.

When Romeo falsely presumes Juliet is dead, he drinks poison to end his life. It was because he couldn’t imagine a life without his beloved. When Juliet wakes up and finds Romeo dead, she kills herself too. Their heartbreaking demise brings about a positive outcome as the Montagues and the Capulets end their rivalry when they discover the fate of their children.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has served as artistic inspiration for centuries. It basically birthed the whole romantic tragedy genre of literature. The legacy of this classic is still relevant today. Numerous plays and movie adaptations have been based on it. And it continues to inspire lovers all over the world.