Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-read

3/12/21

Print/digital version

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s memorable plays has been translated in many languages, re-enacted in movies, revised for present day. The themes of the continue to transcend the passing of time and place. It is usually summarized as a story about unrequited love but that really just touches the surface of this dramatic tragedy.   

I am re-reading decades after my first encounter and must admit that I felt the impact of the story more than in my youth. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, I had time to grow and mature to appreciate the complexities of life and love. The plays addresses the many themes regarding relationships between family and society, friends and foes, and life and death. The play portrays the passionate and unpredictable nature of young love with careless disregard to family and society ultimately leading to a dramatic conclusion. 

What truly makes this a classic work of literature is Shakespeare's use of language and use of literary devices. The play delivers the story with thoughtful use of metaphors, allusions, foreshadowing and comic relief. Soliloquys and asides are used to reveal insights to the reader about the individual characters thoughts and feelings. 

 “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.” (Act 2, Scene 2) 

Romeo professes his love for Juliet during the balcony scene where he hopes Juliet will hear his lofty praise and come speak to him.

The sonnet in the prologue which opens Act 2, it serves to build suspense by explaining the problem interfering with Romeo and Juliet being together and alludes to their determination to overcome all obstacles. 

"And she as much in love, her means much less

To meet her new beloved anywhere.

But passion lends them power, time means, to meet,

Tempering extremities with extreme sweet."

The love between Romeo and Juliet will ignore the animosity between their families which prevent them from being together. However, the prospect of their love gives both of them the strength and determination to resolve the obstacles put in their way. 

 “Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir; That fair for which love groan’d for and would die, With tender Juliet match’d, is now not fair.”  

The characters of Mercutio and Nurse often interject some needed comic relief amidst the gravity of the Romeo and Juliet.  In Act 2, Scene 5, Nurse returns to the Capulet mansion where Juliet is desperate for information regarding Romeo. Instead of obliging Juliet, Nurse complains about her health ignoring Juliet for her own pleasure to delay relaying the message regarding instructions for their secret marriage.

“I am aweary, give me leave awhile;-- Fie, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have I had!”

This literary masterpiece was definitely worth a second read with an advanced understanding of language and literature. 

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