Romeo and Julietbegins with a Chorus, which establishes the plot and tone of the play. This device was hardly new to Shakespeare, and in fact echoes the structure of Arthur Brooke'sThe Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet, the poem that served as Shakespeare's inspiration. However, the Cho...
Romeo's servant, who is involved in the street fight of 1.1, and later assists Romeo in the final Act. Friar Laurence A older man and a friend to Romeo. He officiates the wedding of Romeo and Juliet, hoping to gain political peace through the union. When that doesn't work out, he ...
Romeo and Juliet sneak into an elevator amidst the crowds and passionately kiss. Juliet’s nurse finds the lovers and tears Juliet away, divulging the bitter truth: Romeo is a Montague—scion of her clan’s most hated enemy. Mercutio in turn drags Romeo away, stating that the fun is over...
Shakespeare underscores the idea that lovers must abandon their selfishness by having Romeo and Juliet swear to themselves, rather than to other bodies. For instance, when Romeo tries to swear by the moon, Juliet remarks that the moon waxes and wanes, and is too variable. Instead, she says, ...