‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a tragedy about two young Italian star-crossed sweethearts whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. The plot is based on an Italian tale translated into verse as ‘The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet’. Shakespeare borrowed heavily from both but expanded the plot by developing a number of supporting characters, particularly Mercutio and Paris.
