Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare about two "star-crossed lovers" from two families in Verona, Italy, that have been fighting and feuding for many years. Romeo is from the Montague family, and Juliet is from the Capulet family. At a party held by the Capulet household, Romeo sneaks in and meets Juliet, whom he falls in love with. Romeo and Juliet, equally in love, ask Friar Lawrence to marry them and are secretly married the next day. Later, Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, gets into a fight with Romeo because Romeo had snuck into the Capulet family's party. Tybalt is killed, and Romeo is punished by being exiled from Verona. Juliet, left without her husband, grieves for him and for her dead cousin. Her parents, still unknowing of her marriage to Romeo, believe she is only sad because of her cousin's death, and they plan to marry her to Count Paris. Juliet desperately asks Friar Lawrence for a way to get out of her marriage, and he gives her a medicine that is supposed to make her appear dead. Friar Lawrence tells Juliet that he will send a message to Romeo telling him of the plan. The plan is to have Romeo meet Juliet in the Capulet family's crypt so that they can run away together. However, the message never reaches Romeo, and he hears of Juliet's "death" from his servant. Heartbroken, Romeo buys poison from an apothecary and travels to the Capulet vault, where he encounters Paris, who had been trying to mourn for Juliet also. Romeo kills Paris, and in his desperation at seeing Juliet dead, he drinks the poison and dies. Soon after Romeo dies, Juliet wakes up from her "death-like trance." She sees Romeo and Paris dead, and she consequently stabs herself and dies. Later, Friar Lawrence explains the entire story to the Montague and Capulet families, and the two families promise to end their feud, which had resulted in the loss of many lives and great sorrow.
The purpose of this website is to show how culture was very influential in developing the story of Romeo and Juliet. The events of the Elizabethan time period, as well as the writings of William Shakespeare, may have affected the thoughts and beliefs of the people. The types of music during the time illustrate the lifestyles of common citizens through the types of music and the ideas expressed in them. In the story, Romeo and Juliet met at a party held by the Capulet family. We will also explore how parties and other social gatherings were held, who could attend the parties, and what events occurred at parties. We will also learn about politics of London and England and the recreational activities people of London participated in. The role of weapons in society will also be examined, as it relates to the interactions between people in the society and to the fighting scenes in Romeo and Juliet in which Tybalt, Paris, and many other characters lose their lives.
Source Cited:
"Romeo and Juliet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet>.
The purpose of this website is to show how culture was very influential in developing the story of Romeo and Juliet. The events of the Elizabethan time period, as well as the writings of William Shakespeare, may have affected the thoughts and beliefs of the people. The types of music during the time illustrate the lifestyles of common citizens through the types of music and the ideas expressed in them. In the story, Romeo and Juliet met at a party held by the Capulet family. We will also explore how parties and other social gatherings were held, who could attend the parties, and what events occurred at parties. We will also learn about politics of London and England and the recreational activities people of London participated in. The role of weapons in society will also be examined, as it relates to the interactions between people in the society and to the fighting scenes in Romeo and Juliet in which Tybalt, Paris, and many other characters lose their lives.
Source Cited:
"Romeo and Juliet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet>.