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These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume.
When Romeo first lays eyes on the bewitching Juliet, it's love at first sight. But though their love runs true and deep, it is also completely forbidden. With family and fate determined to keep them apart, will Romeo and Juliet find a way to be together?
William Shakespeare's masterpiece is one of the most enduring stories of star-crossed love of all time. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience with both the original play and a prose retelling of the beloved story, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Act One
SCENE ONE
Verona. A Public Place. Enter Sampson and Gregory, armed with swords and bucklers
sampson. Gregory, o’ my word, we ’ll not carry coals.
gregory. No, for then we should be colliers.
sampson. I mean, an we be in choler, we ’ll draw.
gregory. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o’ the collar.
sampson. I strike quickly, being moved.
gregory. But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
sampson. A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
gregory. To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand; therefore, if thou art moved, thou runnest away.
sampson. A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s.
gregory. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.
sampson. ’Tis true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.
gregory. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.
sampson. ’Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids; I will cut off their heads.
gregory. The heads of the maids?
sampson. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maiden-heads; take it in what sense thou wilt.
gregory. They must take it in sense that feel it.
sampson. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand; and ’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.
gregory. ’Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Drawthy tool; here comes two of the house of the Montagues.
Enter Abraham and Balthasar
sampson. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee.
gregory. How! turn thy back and run?
sampson. Fear me not.
gregory. No, marry; I fear thee!
sampson. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.
gregory. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.
sampson. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.
abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
sampson. I do bite my thumb, sir.
abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
sampson. (Aside to Gregory) Is the law of our side if I say ay?
gregory. (Aside to Sampson) No.
sampson. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.
gregory. Do you quarrel, sir?
abraham. Quarrel, sir! no, sir.
sampson. If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
abraham. No better.
sampson. Well, sir.
gregory. (Aside to Sampson) Say “better”; here comes one of my master’s kinsmen.
sampson. Yes, better, sir.
abraham. You lie.
sampson. Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow. They fight
Enter Benvolio
benvolio. Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.Beats down their swords
Enter Tybalt
tybalt. What! art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.
benvolio. I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me.
tybalt. What! drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!They fight
Enter several persons of both houses, who join the fray; then enter Citizens, with clubs and partisans
citizens. Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! down with Montagues!
Enter Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet
capulet. What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
lady capulet. A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?
capulet. My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
Enter Montague and Lady Montague
montague. Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not; let me go.
lady montague. Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
Enter Prince with his Train
prince. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,— Will they not hear? What ho! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mis-temper’d weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your moved prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets, And made Verona’s ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker’d with peace, to part your canker’d hate. If ever you disturb our streets again Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away: You, Capulet, shall go along with me; And, Montague, come you this afternoon To know our further pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio
montague. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? Speak, nephew, were you by when it began?
benvolio. Here were the servants of your adversary And yours close fighting ere I did approach: I drew to part them; in the instant came The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar’d, Which, as he breath’d defiance to my ears, He swung about his head, and cut the winds, Who, nothing hurt withal, hiss’d him in scorn. While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, Came more and more, and fought on part and part, Till the prince came, who parted either part.
lady montague. O! where is Romeo? saw you him to-day? Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
benvolio. Madam, an hour before the worshipp’d sun Peer’d forth the golden window of the east, A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; Where, underneath the grove of sycamore That westward rooteth from the city’s side, So early walking did I see your son: Towards him I made; but he was ware of me, And stole into the covert of the wood: I, measuring his affections by my own, That most are busied when they ’re most alone, Pursu’d my humour not pursuing his, And gladly shunn’d who gladly fled from me.
montague. Many a morning hath he there been seen, With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew, Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs: But all so soon as the all-cheering sun Should in the furthest east begin to draw The shady curtains from Aurora’s bed, Away from light steals home my heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself, Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, And makes himself an artificial night. Black and portentous must this humour prove Unless good counsel may the cause remove.
benvolio. My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
montague. I neither know it nor can learn of him.
benvolio. Have you importun’d him by any means?
montague. Both by myself and many other friends: But he, his own affections’ counsellor, Is to himself, I will not say how true, But to himself so secret and so close, So far from sounding and discovery, As is the bud bit with an envious worm, Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, We would as willingly give cure as know.
benvolio. See where he comes: so please you, step aside; I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied.
montague. I would thou wert so happy by thy stay, To hear true shrift. Come, madam, let’s away.Exeunt Montague and Lady
Enter Romeo
benvolio. Good-morrow, cousin.
romeo.Is the day so young?
benvolio. But new struck nine.
romeo.Ay me! sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?
benvolio. It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?
romeo. Not having that, which having, makes them short. benvolio. In love? romeo. Out—
benvolio. Of love?
romeo. Out of her favour, where I am in love.
benvolio. Alas! that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof.
romeo. Alas! that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will. Where shall we dine? O me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love. Why then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O any thing! of nothing first create. O heavy lightness! serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?
benvolio.No, coz, I rather weep.
romeo. Good heart, at what?
benvolio. At thy good heart’s oppression.
romeo. Why, such is love’s transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which thou wilt propagate to have it press’d With more of thine: this love that thou hast shown Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smoke rais’d with the fume of sighs; Being purg’d, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; Being vex’d, a sea nourish’d with lovers’ tears: What is it else? a madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet. Farewell, my coz.Going
benvolio.Soft, I will go along; An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.
romeo. Tut! I have lost myself; I am not here; This is not Romeo, he’s some other where.
benvolio. Tell me in sadness, who is that you love.
romeo. What! shall I groan and tell thee?
benvolio.Groan! why, no; But sadly tell me who.
romeo. Bid a sick man in sadness make his will; Ah! word ill urg’d to one that is so ill. In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.
benvolio. I aim’d so near when I suppos’d you lov’d.
romeo. A right good mark-man! And she’s fair I love.
benvolio. A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.
For everyone who gave Romeo and Juliet, the low ratings given were obviously submitted by petulant unappreciative teens who don't know a literary masterpiece when it's thrown in their face! I am sixteen years old and I love this play and this book. All you people who gave low ratings, you obviously didn't take the time to comprehend the story, and that's disappointing because your ignorance deprives you of one of the most thrilling tales of all time.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RIAH-the-WORMI
Posted January 15, 2010
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I absolutely loved this book! I'm twelve and I totally understood it. It is one of the best books I have ever read!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This amazing piece of writing, by William Shakespeare, shows a tragic love-story in which two young lovers are troubled by the hate their families have against each other. The book is intended for young adults, while Shakespeare probably wrote this book to bring about a new concept of a romantic-tragic story. Romeo and Juliet is a book worth reading and buying because it shows a unique concept that was well developed and written, and is worth all 5 stars.
This book is basically about Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet. These two love each other so much that they are willing to forget their families' feuds to get together in any way possible. Throughout the story, these two lovers face numerous problems that lead to many vital decisions; and some of them go wrong. They have few friends and many people who are against the couple's love. By looking at: the mood's effectiveness, the role of each character, the ideas put in by Shakespeare himself, and the organization of the numerous events throughout this play, you can easily see that this story is able to create the proper picture in the readers' minds.
Romeo and Juliet, obviously, were the main characters of the whole story itself. The whole story revolves around them and how they meet and end up loving each other so much that they do numerous things to try get together. The three main characters throughout the play are: Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence (who plays a vital role of a type of counselor in the story). The story can be described as a tragedy/romance/poetry, which has a very classical type of writing to describe how love was restricted in the time periods between 18th and 19th centuries. This story takes place in an elegant city called Verona, and all the parts of the book take place within 4-6 days! This book has been able to deliver its purpose because readers from every passing generation have read this book and the concept of love has become less of an issue today. Shakespeare probably had one question on his lips while writing this story: 'Why not?' That's the same response that parents have today when their children tell them about the person whom they want to marry. One myth that shares a similar concept to the one this book holds is the ancient Greek myth of Pyramus and Thisbe.
With all due respect to William Shakespeare, this piece of writing is worth reading, not only because it is a classic, but also due to the fact that it brings out and describes a unique idea that is definitely worth it all in lots of people's eyes. Some of the reasons why this book is recommended are because it shows: two brave lovers who were defiant enough to cross the line when needed, how the two lovers had only few friends for help, how lots of good and bad plans were made to make situations much weirder, and how all that was being done was for the sake of love and its rights. This book may be viewed poorly by many modern readers, but what everybody needs to see is how such a different idea had brought change, not only in the thinking of people, but also helped mould out a better community. By reading this book you are only earning and not losing anything!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2012
I am ten, and I understood this perfectly. Amazing. How does this man spin tales of such power and meaning?? No matter what version you read, the story still touches you. I am also a dancer, and ever since I discovered the story in both book, play, and ballet format, I have been entranced by it. It's my favorite story. I cry when I think of it. My favorite characters are, surprisingly, not Romeo and Juliet, but Tybalt and Mercutio, but that's just me. Thhe book is beautiful, and the play just as good. I would also reccommend renting or buying the ballet version of this and seeing it (especially the duel scenes. ) The Bolshoi and the Royal Ballet have both done amazing productions of the ballet. I cannot express how much this book means to me and how much of an impact it makes in my life. I would give this book every star in tthe sky. I love the story, which touches me so much that I will sit on my bed at night and imagine the story over again and again. The scenes where characters die make me cry. All I can say is that if I only had one book for the rest of my life,this would be it!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I JUST LOVED THIS TRAGIC TALE OF LOVE AND LOST!!! I WILL ALWAYS HAVE IT IN MY LIBRARY, I WILL REREAD IT IN THE YEARS TO COME. I CRYED THAT WAS HOW GOOD IT WAS, IT WAS UNFORGETTABLE.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lady_Monore
Posted December 23, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This is the most wonderful tearjerker i've ever read being 14 that doesn't say much i can 10 times better than twilight can ever drea, to be! I've only read Jane erye Wuthering Hieghts, as well as Pride and Prejudice which were all fablous but i wouldn't give this to a friend- because to be rudely bold enough to say they are kind of stipuid when it comes to classics; as most people my age are. But to anyone that wants an edgy drama that will just leave you crying in a truely unforgettable love then i strongly recomend this book to you. Although the wrighting is slightly confusing to some readers it becomes easy to understand if you stop yourself when confused and ask would you, or I go better there. If your still confused i would read Juliets Story first itgreatly helped me since I read this when i was only 12
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 30, 2013
This is nearly a perfect drama about star crossed lovers and juliets story is wonderfully in depth and realistic. What many people dont realize though is romeo was 19 and juliet was 13!
Though acceptable in the 13th century it would be horrifying and even illegal today, though back then the opposite was thought about them having pre marital sex ( though at her age it would still be illegal today).
Anonymous
Posted March 27, 2013
Yryfhchchybcbtfhfgdfx
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 27, 2013
Acting out play in 9th grd english plz lend full thing to me
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Posted January 11, 2013
Good it has a good mistry in ti
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2013
Idk if i should read the sample first or just go ahead & read the book
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Posted January 2, 2013
This is a great book for teens
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Posted July 6, 2012
It ok to read
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 24, 2011
Romeo and Juliet is perhaps my favorite book/play. Extremely well written and for those of us who understand the Shakespearean language, then you will have a ball with this one! True love really is worth dying for,especially in 13th century Verona, Italy. For those romantics out there, this is the perfect book for you, mixed with heartbreak also.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 4, 2011
Im going to read the sample first
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 22, 2011
This is my favorite from all of his work. You can read it over and over and never lose the meaning.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 14, 2011
Going to try it????
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 25, 2011
I really thought it was sad and beautiful at the same time. I honestly could not put my nook down. When i finished the book my first thought was crap, i finished it already. I really wanted there to be more of it in the book. But i cant do anything about it. The book is basicy like a letter from Juliet to her parents. So the letter is a will. Juliet talks about how she met Romeo and how she felt when she was still alive. How she felt when her parents had told her to marry Paris. That would mean she is married to two men, Romeo and Paris. She mentioned she was so depressed living without her husband, Romeo. At the end was the most heartbreaking to me. How her plan to be with Romeo was. Unfortunately Romeo did not get the letter he was sent from the person who created the plan. And when he sent Benviolo to i think see what Juliet was up to, him and Benviolo thought Juliet was dead. But she was really sleeping. Her plan was so beautiful that I could have cried. She was hoping they could run away together. Instead he killed himself because since he loves Juliet so much he wanred to be with her in the afterlife. Instead she found him dead and she killed herself after she awoke in the very long sleep. Now both of them are in heaven faithfully together. Of course it doesn't saycthat in the book . But that is what I' predicting and imagining in my mind. Oh how i wish i could find a boy, since im only 11, my age to kiss and hold and veel safe with like Romeo. Unfortunately i dont. Anyway the book is not exactly what i thought. I thought and hoped it would be longer but it wasnt. But my thoughts of it are still the same.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 13, 2010
I read this story for the first time last year in my English class, and fell in love with it. When i was looking through the teen section and saw this, i had to have it. This is one of the best stories of all time!!!!!!!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 31, 2010
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Overview
When Romeo first lays eyes on the bewitching Juliet, it's love at first sight. But though their love runs true and deep, it is also completely forbidden. With family and fate determined to keep them apart, will Romeo and Juliet find a way to be together?
William Shakespeare's masterpiece is ...