Romeo And Juliet

 

Romeo And Juliet

By William Shakespeare

Romeo And Juliet is one of the greatest tragedies of William Shakespeare. It is a lyrical tragedy about two young lovers. The setting of the play is Verona, Italy, and the time possibly the 14^th century. Romeo is the hero. Juliet is the heroine. The main theme of the play is the communication of love and hate, romance and revenge. Romeo is the son of Montague. Juliet is the daughter of Capulet. There is a conflict between Montague and Capulet families. Here Romeo and Juliet are victim of cruelty of these two families. At the outset of the play we see Romeo’s love for Rosaline. But Romeo’s love is partial. He loves Rosaline. Yet Rosaline doesn’t love him.

Next Romeo falls in love with Juliet. Juliet also loves him very much. Benvolio is one of the good friends of Romeo. Romeo informs him about his secret love with Juliet. On the other hand Tybalt, cousin of Juliet is the enemy of Romeo. He is hot tempered, impatient, malicious and unreasonable person. Unnecessarily he fights with Romeo. Paris is another tragic character of the play. Paris would like to marry Juliet. Juliet’s parents accept his proposal. Capulet and lady Capulet have completed all arrangements regarding marriage of Juliet. Now Juliet is very much anxious about her future. It is impossible for her to leave Juliet. Juliet and Romeo meet secretly. They kiss each other.  Actually the nurse of Juliet knows about their secret love. Romeo and Juliet decided to marry secretly and they and they go to Friar Laurence. Romeo and Juliet get married. Friar Laurence and the nurse are witness of their marriage. 

In the mean time Tybalt threatens Romeo. Romeo informs him that now he is his relative. But Tybalt does not pay any heed. He tries to hit Romeo. Suddenly Mercutio, well-wisher of Romeo comes to save Romeo. But he is killed by Tybalt. After killing Mercutio, Tybalt further tries to kill Romeo. Now Romeo starts fighting with Tybalt. Tybalt is killed by Romeo. The whole Capulet family is broken-hearted because of the death of Tybalt. Romeo is exiled in Mantua for killing Tybalt. But Romeo cannot tolerate his banishment. But Friar Laurence consoles him. He advises him to accept his punishment otherwise he may be punished further. Romeo meets with Juliet secretly. He accepts his banishment according to the advice of Friar Laurence.

Now Juliet is in a fix. She will have to marry Paris within two days. On the other hand Romeo is her legal husband. She goes to Friar Laurence for advice. Friar Laurence hits upon a plan. He advises Juliet to take sleeping pill. After taking pill she will sleep for long time. Her parents will guess her death. Her body will be taken for funeral. On the other hand he (Friar Laurence) will send a man to inform Juliet to come her graveyard just time. At the time of waking up, she will see her husband Romeo. Friar Laurence gives her a sleeping pill. According to the plan, Juliet takes sleeping pill. Next day Juliet’s parents try to awake Juliet. But they fail. All arrangements have been completed. Now Lady Capulet discovers her daughter’s death. She burst into tears. Capulet is about mad. Juliet is taken to graveyard. Friar Laurence sends a messenger to Romeo. But unfortunately the messenger fails to go there. In the mean time, Balthasar comes to Mantua and informs Romeo about Juliet’s death. Hearing this dreadful news, Romeo decides to end his life. He manages some poisons from a poor man and come to the graveyard fort giving flower. 

He finds out the existence of Romeo in graveyard. He hides himself for sometimes and observes Romeo. Balthasar is waiting outside the graveyard. Romeo opens the gate of the grave and goes to the body of Juliet. Paris thinks that Romeo has come to destroy the dead body of Juliet. So he decides to protest Romeo. For this, a conflict takes place between them. They start fighting. Paris is killed by Romeo. Friar Laurence is informed that his messenger has failed to go Mantua. He decides to come the graveyard. Romeo doesn’t want to live without Juliet. So he takes poisons. In the mean time Juliet wakes up and sees the dead body of Romeo and Paris. She burst into tears. She cannot imagine her life without Romeo. She kills herself by the sword of Romeo. Friar Laurence comes and discovers the dead body of Romeo, Juliet and Paris. The servant of Paris discloses the tragic fact. Now the members of Montague and Capulet families come to the spot and see tragic consequence of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence discloses the all the secrets and accuses their internal conflicts for the tragic termination.