Romeo and Juliet

Young love is powerful, but is it enough to influence the death of someone so young? William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, often referred to be the greatest English writer of time. He was the son of John and Mary Shakespeare and was born around April 23, 1564. Historians believe he was educated at the King’s New School in Stratford, and at 18 he married the 26 year old Anne Hathaway. Shakespeare had twins with Hathaway, but little was known after this period of his life, until his theatrical references and works. He loved writing, but started the profession as a need for money. His works were never originally published as they were intended only for the stage to be performed. Shakespeare’s most famous works are Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. Romeo and Juliet is believed to have been written between 1591 and 1595, but was based on a poem, “Romeus and Juliet”, by Arthur Brooke. He changed the original plot and turned into a play, only meant to be performed by actors. Taking place in Verona, Italy, around the 16th century, it is centered on the two leading families of the city, the Montague’s and the Capulet’s. They are ancient enemies, but the hatred between the two is essentially meaningless. One night, a group of young men from the Montague family and their friends decide to sneak into a Capulet party. One of the members of this group is Romeo, the son of Lord Montague. He has snuck in with his friends and is having a nice time, until someone catches his eye. He has seen Juliet, daughter of Lord Capulet, and instantly fell in love with her at first glance. Later into the night, she sees him as well and nothing less happens to her, for she too is captivated by this unknown boy. As the party goes on, they meet each other and share a kiss, and when Juliet is home on her balcony into the early hours of the morning Romeo intrigues her once more, and they plan to get married the next afternoon. But that is the last of happy times, because as