Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare first performed in 1595. The play tells the story of two young lovers from rival families in Verona Italy who fall in love and secretly marry only to face tragic consequences. The play begins with a brawl between the servants of the Capulet and Montague families. The Prince of Verona intervenes and declares that any future fighting between the two families will be punished by death. Romeo a Montague attends a party at the Capulets house where he meets and falls in love with Juliet a Capulet. They declare their love for each other and secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence. However their happiness is short-lived as their families feud intensifies leading to a series of tragic events. Tybalt a Capulet kills Romeos friend Mercutio leading Romeo to seek revenge and kill Tybalt. As a result Romeo is banished from Verona. Juliet is forced to marry Paris a nobleman by her father but she refuses and seeks help from Friar Laurence. The friar gives Juliet a potion that will make her appear dead for 42 hours so that she can escape to be with Romeo. However Romeo hears only that Juliet is dead and believing she is truly dead he buys poison and takes his own life beside her in the Capulet tomb. Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and also kills herself. The tragedy of their deaths finally ends the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.