Shakespeare on Stage

Romeo & Juliet

Our final Shakespeare on Stage discussion will air Monday, July 20th at 6:30pm. This week, we will be discussing Stratford’s version of Romeo and Juliet.

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.

In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers’ final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.

(Intro from Folger and licensed under CC BY SA)

Full text: https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/romeo-and-juliet/

Introduction by Suddenly Shakespeare :

Here’s a great video with historical context of the play from Professor Helen Smith from the University of York, who imagines what it would have been like to attend the play in 1590:

Watch the Stratford version here:

Join us for the discussion here: