Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is the quintessential love story. Shakespeare’s ill-fated lovers have influenced English literature from the time of the play’s first performance up until today, inspiring works like West Side Story. Its charm and its power come from a number of factors: the romantic setting of Verona, Italy, the youthful innocence and ardor of the lovers, and the excitement and drama created by the opposition with which they have to contend—a seemingly “star-crossed” opposition that does not just stem from the older generation but which is alive and well in Romeo and Juliet’s time. The wit, tenderness, and poetic beauty of this play have proved a favorite across the centuries and continue to work their spell on modern audiences.